In the past, seeing an executive coach was often viewed as a negative. It meant that there were some issues that needed to be sorted out with executive leadership. However, in the last 10 years, the view of executive coaching has done a complete 180 degrees. Many companies now believe that executive coaching is a must for a healthy and efficient work environment. A good executive coach can help employees work to the best of their abilities. While executive coaching is now looked upon as a good thing, there are a few things to know before hiring a coach.

There Are More Executive Coaches Than Ever

Since executive coaching has become both more common and more accepted, it should come as no surprise that there are more executive coaches out there to choose from. However, more is not always better. Before hiring an executive coach it's important to find one with a proven track record and who has the skill set needed to make a difference in your organization. The International Coaching Federation alone has 20,000 dues-paying members. Finding the right fit can seem daunting. But word of mouth and a good resume are great indicators of whether or not a coach will be the right fit.

There Are Multiple Ways To Find A Coach

Simply finding an executive coach may seem like a difficult task. However, the good news is that there are more resources than ever for locating the right coach for a company or executive. Executive recruitment firms and other placement firms often have in-house executive coaches or a list of independent coaches that can be used. Word of mouth referrals can also be very helpful when on the hunt for an executive coach. There are even entire companies that focus solely on executive coaching.

The Cost

While executive coaching can have a major impact on employees and the company, it does come at a price. The median rate for an executive coach is $500 per hour. Many companies choose to hire coaches for upwards of 6 months in order to achieve their goals. Before hiring an executive coach, it's important to determine whether or not the benefits are worth the cost. For some companies coaching is a drop in the bucket while for others it can be a sizable investment.

Executive coaching has become more popular in recent years. There are more coaches than ever, so it's important to research one thoroughly before hiring them. There are multiple ways to find executive coaching including word of mouth and recommendations from recruitment firms. The cost of a coach can be high, however, many companies find that hiring an executive coach is worth it.