Consultant: How to Spot a Good Coach from a Fraud
14 November 2013
Read by 2237 persons
Thinking about getting a coach? Here's how to choose a real pro in a world where the best rub shoulders with the worst.
Managing a crisis; improving your performance in your current role; preparing to take on new responsibilities; developing your leadership or political intelligence... a coach can help you meet these challenges. But be careful! Unlike the professions of accountant or lawyer, that of coach is not regulated. Under the name of coach, you find true professionals, but also a multitude of incompetent, harmful, and even fraudulent individuals.
This is all the more embarrassing since using a coach represents a real investment: the "all-inclusive" price of a mission varies between 5,000 and 30,000 euros (knowing that a low-cost rate often reflects a low-quality service...). How to distinguish the wheat from the chaff? To find out, we interviewed one of the best coaching specialists in the West: Elena Fourès.
An Expert's Criteria
Born in Moscow, a neurolinguist and doctor of science from the Sorbonne University, Elena Fourès founded the Idem Per Idem firm in 1995, specializing in supporting executives. Based in France, she coaches, in five languages (!), managers from industrial and service groups throughout the European Union, Switzerland, and Russia. She shares her criteria for recognizing a good coach. A professional worthy of the name meets all the characteristics indicated. Keep searching until you find one!
"A true coach has relevant training and experience"
When you receive a coaching candidate, analyze their resume. The coach's overall level of education should be comparable to that of the person being coached. Someone who stopped their studies at the bachelor's level cannot help a manager with a degree from a prestigious school grow professionally. Another crucial point to verify: has your contact followed specific coaching training? This training teaches methodology, ethics, approach, and types of coaching. It is usually done with a recognized coach; for a few years, some grandes écoles also offer this training. In all cases, coaching training must be complemented by at least three years of professional practice.
"Their toolbox contains at least three instruments"
A professional coach masters at least three tools. Among the effective tools, we can mention general semantics, neurolinguistics, the systemic approach, the Ericksonian approach, creativity techniques, visualization... Your contact must describe their tools, as well as the level of mastery demonstrated by their diplomas. On the other hand, psychoanalysis has no place in a coach's toolbox: its foundations and methods of action are totally unsuitable for professional development objectives. And beware of the coach who cites "listening" as one of their tools: paying 5,000 euros to someone who will sit next to you and sympathize with your problems is throwing money away. It's better to talk to your spouse, a friend, or the bartender!
"They approach their mission methodically"
Like any consultant, a coach must produce results, and to do so, they must adopt a methodological approach. From the objective you describe to them during your first meeting, they must successively: take stock; clarify your real expectations, which may differ from those you initially expressed; comment on the feasibility of the project as redefined. After ensuring this feasibility, they must tell you what means they will use, how long it will take, what it will cost, etc. Know that a coaching mission is always short-term: from a few weeks to six months. If your contact tells you they need one or two years to get results, send them away!
"They display their ethics"
Throughout the sessions, the coach will learn confidential information about the person they are supporting and their company. Before working with a coach, you must therefore ensure that they respect strict ethics. The coaching contract must specify that all the content of the sessions will remain confidential: the coach undertakes not to communicate, under any pretext, to a third party any information or document related to their mission. The contract must also stipulate that the coach cannot mention the client company or the coached person in their commercial activities without their written permission. Just check coaches' websites to see how much this principle is violated...
"They know the realities of corporate life"
To be effective in their mission, the coach must know the company's culture: its challenges, its workings, its rules... How can an individual who only has a vague idea of what life is like in an SME or a large group help you implement new work methods, mobilize staff on a project, or impose yourself within a management committee? This is why it is advisable to be wary of "transfuge" coaches from liberal backgrounds, in particular psychotherapists, who often share their time between a city office and corporate work. Those who have never worked within an organization have a certain handicap when it comes to corporate coaching.
"Coaching is their main or only activity"
It is essential that you distinguish whether your contact belongs to the category of professional coaches or to the other category, which I call "alimentary coaches." The latter are characterized by having become coaches because they failed in their previous professional life: they set up a psychotherapy practice that didn't work, or a training company that stagnated, or they were executives in a company and were laid off... They need money and are ready to do anything to get a contract. An alimentary coach cannot help you, but they can cause a lot of damage. How to recognize them?
Thanks to their particular background, mentioned above, but also to the fact that they carry out different activities. Some so-called coaches also do recruitment, others training or behavioral therapy, or even massages... You will avoid these charlatans by eliminating all candidates who do not derive at least 70% of their income from coaching.
"They possess six rare qualities"
The coach's personality is essential. A good coach, as we have understood from the above, is characterized by their authenticity. They must then possess a large dose of energy to push their client to surpass themselves, and enthusiasm: they can only "make you grow" if they have absolute faith in your ability to succeed... They must be flexible to adapt to your constraints. And courageous, to know how to say no! The last imperative is availability: what's the point of having a coach if you can't reach them in a crisis? Between sessions, a professional coach is always reachable in case of emergency, and provides you with the help you need at 10 pm, on weekends, or on January 1st... without charging you for it.
"A good pro has done and continues to do work on themselves"
To be able to coach people, you must have done some work on yourself. A good coach has traveled a path during which they have "grown" and can recount the difficulties they have overcome and the progress they have made. They must have professional successes to their credit. The coach is not credible without this. No more than a doctor who claims to help you stop smoking and smokes cigarettes continuously, or a sports coach who is obese and apathetic! But a true coach is also recognized by the fact that they themselves are continuously coached and supervised. This "coaching of the coach" is essential to protect them from the risk of becoming arrogant or abusing their power. Being supervised requires them to regularly refocus, therefore to keep their feet on the ground and remain humble.
"They are free from any sectarian commitment!"
Finally, you must ensure that the person in front of you is acting in complete freedom of conscience. Ask the coach you are considering working with to provide a commitment to independence, attached to the coaching contract. In this document, the coach must attest in writing, on their honor, that they are "totally independent of any non-professional cause, and in particular religious, associative, philosophical, political, or having a link with groups classified by the French administration as sects." Then verify that the name of the coach or the company employing them is not listed on the general information site. This vigilance is necessary because coaching can be used by sects to penetrate companies. Membership of a coach association displayed on a business card does not guarantee you against this risk...
Nathalie Mourlot.
Lexpress.fr
Posted online November 14, 2013.
Managing a crisis; improving your performance in your current role; preparing to take on new responsibilities; developing your leadership or political intelligence... a coach can help you meet these challenges. But be careful! Unlike the professions of accountant or lawyer, that of coach is not regulated. Under the name of coach, you find true professionals, but also a multitude of incompetent, harmful, and even fraudulent individuals.
This is all the more embarrassing since using a coach represents a real investment: the "all-inclusive" price of a mission varies between 5,000 and 30,000 euros (knowing that a low-cost rate often reflects a low-quality service...). How to distinguish the wheat from the chaff? To find out, we interviewed one of the best coaching specialists in the West: Elena Fourès.
An Expert's Criteria
Born in Moscow, a neurolinguist and doctor of science from the Sorbonne University, Elena Fourès founded the Idem Per Idem firm in 1995, specializing in supporting executives. Based in France, she coaches, in five languages (!), managers from industrial and service groups throughout the European Union, Switzerland, and Russia. She shares her criteria for recognizing a good coach. A professional worthy of the name meets all the characteristics indicated. Keep searching until you find one!
"A true coach has relevant training and experience"
When you receive a coaching candidate, analyze their resume. The coach's overall level of education should be comparable to that of the person being coached. Someone who stopped their studies at the bachelor's level cannot help a manager with a degree from a prestigious school grow professionally. Another crucial point to verify: has your contact followed specific coaching training? This training teaches methodology, ethics, approach, and types of coaching. It is usually done with a recognized coach; for a few years, some grandes écoles also offer this training. In all cases, coaching training must be complemented by at least three years of professional practice.
"Their toolbox contains at least three instruments"
A professional coach masters at least three tools. Among the effective tools, we can mention general semantics, neurolinguistics, the systemic approach, the Ericksonian approach, creativity techniques, visualization... Your contact must describe their tools, as well as the level of mastery demonstrated by their diplomas. On the other hand, psychoanalysis has no place in a coach's toolbox: its foundations and methods of action are totally unsuitable for professional development objectives. And beware of the coach who cites "listening" as one of their tools: paying 5,000 euros to someone who will sit next to you and sympathize with your problems is throwing money away. It's better to talk to your spouse, a friend, or the bartender!
"They approach their mission methodically"
Like any consultant, a coach must produce results, and to do so, they must adopt a methodological approach. From the objective you describe to them during your first meeting, they must successively: take stock; clarify your real expectations, which may differ from those you initially expressed; comment on the feasibility of the project as redefined. After ensuring this feasibility, they must tell you what means they will use, how long it will take, what it will cost, etc. Know that a coaching mission is always short-term: from a few weeks to six months. If your contact tells you they need one or two years to get results, send them away!
"They display their ethics"
Throughout the sessions, the coach will learn confidential information about the person they are supporting and their company. Before working with a coach, you must therefore ensure that they respect strict ethics. The coaching contract must specify that all the content of the sessions will remain confidential: the coach undertakes not to communicate, under any pretext, to a third party any information or document related to their mission. The contract must also stipulate that the coach cannot mention the client company or the coached person in their commercial activities without their written permission. Just check coaches' websites to see how much this principle is violated...
"They know the realities of corporate life"
To be effective in their mission, the coach must know the company's culture: its challenges, its workings, its rules... How can an individual who only has a vague idea of what life is like in an SME or a large group help you implement new work methods, mobilize staff on a project, or impose yourself within a management committee? This is why it is advisable to be wary of "transfuge" coaches from liberal backgrounds, in particular psychotherapists, who often share their time between a city office and corporate work. Those who have never worked within an organization have a certain handicap when it comes to corporate coaching.
"Coaching is their main or only activity"
It is essential that you distinguish whether your contact belongs to the category of professional coaches or to the other category, which I call "alimentary coaches." The latter are characterized by having become coaches because they failed in their previous professional life: they set up a psychotherapy practice that didn't work, or a training company that stagnated, or they were executives in a company and were laid off... They need money and are ready to do anything to get a contract. An alimentary coach cannot help you, but they can cause a lot of damage. How to recognize them?
Thanks to their particular background, mentioned above, but also to the fact that they carry out different activities. Some so-called coaches also do recruitment, others training or behavioral therapy, or even massages... You will avoid these charlatans by eliminating all candidates who do not derive at least 70% of their income from coaching.
"They possess six rare qualities"
The coach's personality is essential. A good coach, as we have understood from the above, is characterized by their authenticity. They must then possess a large dose of energy to push their client to surpass themselves, and enthusiasm: they can only "make you grow" if they have absolute faith in your ability to succeed... They must be flexible to adapt to your constraints. And courageous, to know how to say no! The last imperative is availability: what's the point of having a coach if you can't reach them in a crisis? Between sessions, a professional coach is always reachable in case of emergency, and provides you with the help you need at 10 pm, on weekends, or on January 1st... without charging you for it.
"A good pro has done and continues to do work on themselves"
To be able to coach people, you must have done some work on yourself. A good coach has traveled a path during which they have "grown" and can recount the difficulties they have overcome and the progress they have made. They must have professional successes to their credit. The coach is not credible without this. No more than a doctor who claims to help you stop smoking and smokes cigarettes continuously, or a sports coach who is obese and apathetic! But a true coach is also recognized by the fact that they themselves are continuously coached and supervised. This "coaching of the coach" is essential to protect them from the risk of becoming arrogant or abusing their power. Being supervised requires them to regularly refocus, therefore to keep their feet on the ground and remain humble.
"They are free from any sectarian commitment!"
Finally, you must ensure that the person in front of you is acting in complete freedom of conscience. Ask the coach you are considering working with to provide a commitment to independence, attached to the coaching contract. In this document, the coach must attest in writing, on their honor, that they are "totally independent of any non-professional cause, and in particular religious, associative, philosophical, political, or having a link with groups classified by the French administration as sects." Then verify that the name of the coach or the company employing them is not listed on the general information site. This vigilance is necessary because coaching can be used by sects to penetrate companies. Membership of a coach association displayed on a business card does not guarantee you against this risk...
Nathalie Mourlot.
Lexpress.fr
Posted online November 14, 2013.
