Bad Coach Red Flags: 13 Tips to Spot Disempowerment
I believe it is part of my core mission to help people on their journey. If you had a coaching session with me, you know that I take what I do very seriously. My goal is to give a client the information they need to make positive, loving changes in their lives. With that in mind, I want clients to leave a session with feelings of hope, joy, and empowerment.
From time-to-time, I've encountered clients who have had bad experiences with other coaches, consultants, and therapists. If a coach or counselor is coming from a place of ethical, client-centered service, there should be feelings of empowerment. Sadly, sometimes there aren't.
Think about your last consultation or meeting: how did you feel after the fact? Good? Bad? Empowered? Disempowered? Here are some tips to think about before booking that second session:
After the session: did you feel positive and optimistic or despondent and hopeless?
After the session: did you feel you had choices you needed to reflect upon and/or decisions to make?
Do you feel all your questions were answered?
Do you feel all your concerns were addressed?
Did the professional encourage you to take time to reflect upon the session so you could make the right choices for you?
Did the professional insist you had to 'do this' or 'do that' because they said so?
Do you feel the professional had your best interests at heart or was the session about him/her?
Do you feel the professional was wasting your time?
Do you feel your time was valued?
Do you feel your money was well spent?
Do you feel the professional was coming from a place of love and support or ego and dependence?
Was he/she insisting you book additional sessions because you 'needed' their help or did he/she indicate that you should come back for another session when you were ready?
Would you recommend this professional to one of your friends, family members, co-workers, etc?
A coaching or counseling session is a vehicle for change, growth, and healing. If you don't feel your time, money, and energy was well-spent, then continue to search until you find someone who is the right fit for you. The right ethical professional is out there waiting to help you and EMPOWER you.