For organizations wondering how to hire a CEO coach, it’s important to remember a few hints, tips and piece of expert advice, which come straight from today’s top keynote speakers, futurists and consultants:
- Get clear on your goals – Define the specific leadership and development goals you want to achieve through coaching. Doing so will help target the search.
- Ask business network contacts – Talk to other CEOs and leaders who have used coaches previously and get referrals as you work through how to hire a CEO coach. Their recommendations can surface top candidates.
- Research coaching firms – Many boutique firms specialize in executive and C-suite coaching. Research firms’ focus areas and coach bios to find matches.
- Look for experience coaching CEOs – Ask about each coach’s background working with CEO clients specifically. The role has unique demands – an important point to keep in mind as you consider how to hire a CEO coach here.
- Consider chemistry – Conduct preliminary interviews and assess which coaches have rapport with the CEO that will enable candid, trusting dialogues.
- Examine credentials – Look for coaches with masters degrees in organizational psychology or executive/leadership coaching certifications.
- Discuss methodologies – Ask how they approach assessments, goal-setting, action planning, progress reviews, and other coaching processes. Look for structure while you go through the process of determining how to hire a CEO coach.
- Evaluate ROI – Inquire how coaches quantify and track ROI. They should offer metrics demonstrating impact from CEO coaching engagements.
- Define logistics – Determine meeting frequency, location preferences, availability, and other logistical details upfront to inform fit.
- Clarify pricing – CEO coaching fees range widely from $200/hour on up to as much as $3000/hour, or so some experts and consultants report. Understand the fee structure and customize as needed.
Still curious how to hire a CEO coach? Don’t forget that taking the time to find the right expert-leader match raises the odds of an effective, rewarding coaching engagement.