Top 8 Questions to Ask Your Business Coach
By: Tom Dougherty
Published: August 24, 2024
Choosing a business coach isn’t a decision to take lightly. The right questions can reveal more than just qualifications—they can expose the drive, the experience, and the mindset of the person who will guide you. At ActionCOACH of Arizona, we always encourage our clients to dig deeper with the right questions.
Finding a coach who truly aligns with your aspirations begins with asking the questions that matter most. Here are eight questions.
Further Reading: Business Coaching 101
Question 1: What Motivates You to Be a Business Coach?
Asking your coach what motivates them to be in this profession can reveal a lot about their approach and dedication.
Coaches who genuinely care about helping others often bring a level of energy and commitment that goes beyond the ordinary. They’re invested in seeing you succeed, not just in delivering sessions.
Here’s a sneak peek of one of our group business coaching sessions—we maintain a dynamic and focused environment that encourages growth and real progress.
A coach motivated by a desire to make a real difference in your business is more likely to stay engaged and bring fresh, effective strategies to the table.
It’s important to see if their motivation aligns with your goals. A coach who believes in the power of business coaching to create real change will push you to achieve more than you might on your own. Alignment can be the key to moving beyond average results and achieving real success.
Asking about their motivation helps you gauge if they’re the right fit for your business journey.
Question 2: Tell Me About Your Coaching Background and Credentials
When evaluating a business coach, their background and credentials are essential. You need to know where they’ve been and what they’ve accomplished to gauge how well they can guide you.
Asking about their coaching background and credentials gives you insight into their experience, training, and expertise.
A well-qualified coach often has formal training in business coaching, ideally through programs recognized within the ActionCOACH network. For example, ActionCOACH certifications are a strong indicator of competency and commitment to high standards.
Coaches certified through ActionCOACH have undergone rigorous training designed to equip them with the tools and strategies needed to drive business success. These credentials ensure that the coach has the knowledge and adheres to a professional code of ethics, reflecting the values and principles upheld by ActionCOACH.
Beyond certifications, practical experience is key. A coach who has spent years working with various businesses across different industries brings valuable insights that can be applied to your unique situation.
It’s also worth noting if they’ve held leadership positions in businesses themselves, as this can provide a deeper understanding of the challenges you face.
Studies have shown that coaches with both practical business experience and formal training are more effective in helping clients achieve their goals. This combination allows them to offer not just theoretical advice but also practical strategies that have been tested in real-world situations.
Inquiring about their background and credentials helps you determine if they have the right mix of knowledge and experience to support your business effectively. It’s a crucial step in ensuring that the coach you choose is not only qualified on paper but also capable of delivering tangible results.
Partner with a Business Coach to Advance Your Business
Schedule your consultation and start your journey towards success today.
Question 3: What Practical Experience Do You Have in Coaching?
Practical experience in coaching is a key factor to consider when choosing a business coach. While credentials are important, hands-on experience often sets apart a coach who can truly help you reach your goals.
A coach with real-world experience has dealt with a variety of business challenges and knows what works in different situations.
For instance, a coach who has guided businesses through tough economic times or rapid growth brings insights that go beyond theory.
Practical knowledge like this allows a coach to adapt their approach to fit your unique circumstances.
When talking with a potential coach, ask about the types of businesses they’ve worked with, the industries they’re familiar with, and the specific results they’ve helped clients achieve. These details provide a clearer picture of how well they might be able to guide you.
A coach with solid practical experience is more likely to offer advice that leads to real progress. This kind of experience can be a significant asset in making sure your coaching sessions result in measurable success.
Question 4: What Practical Experience Do You Have in Coaching?
Leadership experience speaks volumes about a coach’s ability to guide you. A coach who has taken on significant leadership roles understands the demands of running a business. Managing a small team or overseeing a large organization, their leadership background often shows in how they handle decisions, navigate crises, and inspire others.
Look for specific examples of how they’ve led teams through growth, change, or challenges. Leadership isn’t about holding a title; it’s about making impactful decisions and driving a business forward.
A coach with a solid leadership record offers insights that can help you develop practical and effective leadership skills.
Question 5: What Types of Businesses Have You Managed?
The types of businesses a coach has managed can provide valuable insight into how well they might grasp your specific challenges. A diverse background in different business types often broadens a coach’s perspective, allowing them to offer a wide range of strategies and solutions tailored to various situations.
Take Tom Dougherty, for example, an executive coach with a strong track record in accelerating business growth. Tom has coached business owners in areas like team building, cash flow management, sales, marketing, and profit growth. His clients have seen triple-digit growth in profitability by implementing his strategies, which deliver real, measurable results.
With experience in overcoming roadblocks and managing growing pains, Tom has enabled businesses to exceed industry averages in growth and profitability.
Tom’s background is not limited to coaching. He began his career in the financial sector as an advisor for UBS Wealth Management and has since launched several successful companies in the United States, including Racegun, Canada Goose, Moose Knuckles, and SportsGearWest. His hands-on business experience, combined with corporate-level success, makes him an invaluable resource for business owners and executives. His achievements have earned him multiple awards at ActionCOACH, including Global Rookie Coach of the Year.
When you ask a coach about the businesses they’ve managed and the industries they’ve worked in, examples like Tom’s can give you confidence that their experience will shape advice and strategies that are highly relevant to your situation. A coach with such a diverse and successful background brings a wealth of knowledge that can be directly applied to help you overcome your business challenges.
Question 6: What Teams Have You Successfully Managed?
A coach’s experience in managing teams is a key factor in their ability to help you lead your own. Managing teams involves understanding dynamics, clear communication, and maintaining motivation and productivity.
Discuss the teams they’ve managed and the outcomes achieved. Their experience can provide valuable lessons on navigating team dynamics, resolving conflicts, and fostering a collaborative environment.
Question 7: Who Are Your Ideal Clients?
Knowing who a coach considers their ideal clients helps you see if there’s a good fit. Coaches often have a niche or specific type of client they work best with. It could be based on industry, business stage, or specific goals.
Ask about their ideal clients to see if their coaching style and expertise align with what you need.
A coach with a clear understanding of their ideal client profile is likely to have focused and effective strategies that can help you succeed.
Question 8: Why Would You Be the Right Coach for Me?
Asking a coach why they are the right fit for you helps clarify their suitability for your specific needs. This question invites the coach to highlight how their skills and experience align with your business goals. It allows you to assess their understanding of your challenges and their approach to helping you overcome them.
When listening to their response, look for clear and specific reasons that connect directly to your situation. A strong answer should demonstrate confidence, expertise, and a genuine commitment to your success.
Example Response from a Coach:
“With over 15 years of experience in scaling small businesses, I have developed strategies that consistently drive revenue growth and improve operational efficiency. I recently worked with a company similar to yours, helping them increase their profits by 40% within a year through targeted marketing and streamlined processes.
I believe in a personalized coaching approach, tailoring strategies to fit the unique aspects of your business. My background in your industry allows me to understand the specific challenges you face and provide actionable solutions.
Together, we can identify opportunities for growth and implement plans that not only address immediate concerns but also set your business up for long-term success. I’m committed to being a supportive and results-driven partner on your journey to achieving your business objectives.”
Such a response showcases the coach’s relevant experience and provides concrete examples of past successes. It reflects a tailored approach and a commitment to delivering measurable results, helping you feel confident in their ability to support and guide your business effectively.
Ready to Transform Your Business with ActionCOACH of Arizona?
Are you prepared to take your business to the next level? At ActionCOACH of Arizona, we specialize in helping business owners and leaders achieve their goals through tailored coaching strategies.
Our team of experienced coaches is dedicated to providing you with the tools, insights, and support you need to drive growth, increase profitability, and overcome challenges.
Don’t wait to start your journey towards greater success. Join our satisfied clients who have seen real results with our proven methods. Schedule your free consultation with ActionCOACH of Arizona today, and let’s work together to unlock your business’s full potential.