{"id":753,"date":"2025-12-01T07:24:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T07:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/?p=753"},"modified":"2026-07-24T17:21:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:21:37","slug":"how-to-choose-a-good-business-coach-without-wasting-time-or-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/how-to-choose-a-good-business-coach-without-wasting-time-or-money\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Good Business Coach (Without Wasting Time or Money)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A great business coach can help you scale your company faster, sharpen your leadership and avoid costly mistakes. But not all coaches are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can lead to frustration, wasted money and stalled growth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how to choose a business coach that\u2019s the right fit for you, your goals and your business stage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Know What You Need Help With<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before looking for a coach, get clear on your goals. Are you looking to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Grow revenue or improve profitability?<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Build better systems and processes?<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Develop your leadership skills?<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Improve team dynamics or company culture?<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Navigate a specific challenge (e.g. fundraising, hiring, burnout)?<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The clearer you are, the more likely you\u2019ll find a coach with the right experience to help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Look for Relevant Experience (Not Just Certifications)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coaching credentials are useful, but real-world experience is more important. Look for someone who:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Has successfully built or scaled a business\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understands your industry or business model\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can speak from experience, not just theory\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask: &#8220;Have they solved the kinds of problems I\u2019m dealing with?&#8221;\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ask for Case Studies or Client Results<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good coaches will be able to share examples of how they\u2019ve helped other business owners. Ask for:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Testimonials or references\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examples of specific outcomes they\u2019ve helped clients achieve\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How they typically work with clients (1:1 sessions, workshops, accountability structures)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Make Sure the Chemistry Is Right<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The coach\u2013client relationship is built on trust, openness and challenge. You\u2019ll want someone who:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Listens well and asks thoughtful questions\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Holds you accountable without being condescending\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourages you, but also calls you out when needed\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do a free discovery call. Ask yourself: Do I feel heard? Challenged? Energized?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don\u2019t Confuse Coaching with Consulting<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coaches help you unlock your own answers, while consultants tend to give direct solutions. Both are valuable, just know which one you\u2019re really looking for.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some people need strategy. Others need mindset. The best coaches blend both, but be sure their style fits your needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Red Flags to Watch Out For<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vague promises with no real structure\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focused more on social media presence than real client results\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unwilling to offer references\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One-size-fits-all programs with no customization\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A great business coach won\u2019t build your business for you, but they\u2019ll sharpen your thinking, challenge your assumptions and keep you moving forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose someone who\u2019s walked the path, understands your vision, and holds you to a higher standard than you hold yourself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A great business coach can help you scale your company faster, sharpen your leadership and avoid costly mistakes. But not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,13,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-753","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-business","category-legal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/753","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=753"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/753\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1857,"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/753\/revisions\/1857"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=753"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=753"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiftsixos.com\/staging-v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}