What to look for in a Vision Coach
Posted on March 03, 2023 by Lois Weinblatt, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.
A Vision Coach can help you gain clarity on what you truly want out of the next phase of your life. Learn how to choose a trusted consultant here.
What even is a Vision Coach?
A Vision Coach is a consultant and guide who is experienced in using the preferred futuring process to help clients create a long-term Vision of what they want their personal and professional life to look like in the future.
Because a Vision is YOUR definition of success at a specific point in the future, a great Vision coach won’t tell you what to do; but rather they’ll ask deep, leading questions that allow you to peel back the layers and truly understand yourself. Your core values, nonnegotiables, and definition of success all come together to help you create a 1+ page narrative that vividly describes how you’ll be living that definition of success into the future.
With the picture in your mind, you can now create the step by step Roadmap that leads you along your true path. Every day, you can use your Vision as a decision-making filter, cutting distractions down by 80% and leaving you more clear-headed for the important things.
How to choose the right Vision Coach for you:
Qualifications and Experience. Look for a coach who truly represents themselves has an expert in Visioning: They may have years of experience in Visioning, coaching, potentially a certification, and has a good reputation. For example, True North has been facilitating Vision workshops full-time for over 9 years. Ask for their credentials and verify any claims of certifications.
Options. Does the coach offer multiple programs to be flexible with your situation and budget? For instance, group vs. private coaching packages, a DIY option and/or an accountability community. Not all coaches rely only on private sessions – there are tons of ways now to get value from a Vision coach without blowing the bank.
Accessibility. Ideally, you get lifetime access to the program materials. How often do you get personalized guidance from the coach? Are the calls pre-recorded or live with your guide?
Compatibility. Your relationship with the coach can make a huge difference. Shop around until you find someone you’re comfortable talking with, and can establish a good rapport. Look for someone who is supportive, unbiased, non-judgmental, and takes time to understand your context: the specific goals and challenges you’re going through.
Availability. Consider the availability of the coach and the frequency of the sessions. Make sure the programs can accommodate your schedule and that you are comfortable with the time commitment required.
Results. Look for a coach who has a track record of helping their clients achieve their goals. Read reviews, testimonials, and ask for references. Remember that everyone’s experience is different and relies a lot on how enthusiastically they participate in the coaching.
Cost. Coaching can be expensive, so make sure you understand the cost upfront and that it’s within your budget. Some coaches may offer a free consultation or trial session so you can assess whether they are a good fit for you. If you take the free call, this is where you can ask more questions about all the value you will get the program. Look for options where you can split payments.
The benefits of taking your time to compare
The more research you do, the more you’ll discover new and emerging Visioning programs as the world learns more about this powerful framework. When you take the time to compare, you can avoid the angst of landing with someone you don’t mesh with. Comparing means that you are intentional about holding yourself accountable to get through the process and start living your Vision on your terms.
The risk of a some DIY download programs are that they leave the work up to you: If you aren’t sure what questions to ask yourself, you might find yourself stuck in certain parts. Joining a cohort, on the other hand, puts something new on your calendar temporarily, but may add that extra layer of accountability and personalized guidance so that you can emerge from the process with a lifelong tool.
Overall, finding the right Vision coach is a personal decision and requires some research and evaluation. Take your time to find someone who can support you in designing your next life chapter.
