The Top 5 Signs That You Have a Great Coach/Practitioner
I’ve worked in the wellness industry long enough that I’ve seen common themes among the most and least successful coaches. If you’re looking for a partner in your health, be it medicinal, therapeutic, or fitness, you should know the marks of a great coach. If you don’t trust your provider it won’t matter how much you pay them, there is no amount of money that can buy behavior change. And behavior change is at the root of a healthier life.
So here goes…
The Top 5 Signs That You Have a Great Coach/Practitioner
They nerd out over the details in their work (i.e. Anatomy, lab values, Overhead Squat Assessments).
Health and Wellness is a Science and an Art. Just like everything, it can get a little rote at times. But most of the time, there is some tricky problem solving that demands an artful combination of knowledge and creativity. This is when we are at our best. We study more, ask deeper questions, pull in richer resources. If your coach isn’t excited by their work, they probably aren’t driven to stay at the cutting edge.
They want to make (good) money for their work- but they would gladly do it for free.
Wise decisions and a pinch of luck will land people on career paths that never feel like work. In fields where the primary goal is to help people with their quality of life, most professionals are doing it because they LOVE it. Even if you are paying your coach top dollar, you may find that they are making themselves as accessible to you as reasonably possible because they are excited about helping you. If your practitioner shuts you out unless it is a paid appointment, you’re with someone who has calculated the bottom line down to the minute. That’s not evil, it’s just a level of cold practice that I’m not interested in experiencing or providing.
They know exactly who their target audience is.
You have to know WHO you are the best helper for. Every wellness provider should know exactly what type of patient they do best with. You don’t have to be THE bull’s eye client for them. But you should be within the target SOMEWHERE. If you’re not, then they won’t be excited about your care no matter how lovely you are or compassionate they are. If the two of you aren’t a great fit- that’s ok. Not everyone is meant for everyone. Find the provider who gets you: Does their website reflect your values? Do they understand your sport/hobby/activity? Do they listen to your needs and meet you where you are?
They will tell you when they don’t know- and then DO something about it.
If they don’t have the knowledge they should say “I don’t have the answer but I want to dig into it and get back to you.” If they don’t have the appropriate skill set, they should connect you with a good practitioner who does. There’s too much to know for any one person- anyone who pretends otherwise is sacrificing your care for their ego.
They know a lot- but they care more.
Probably could have started and ended here. The saying goes- “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” A brilliant but arrogant provider will cause nearly any patient to shut down. No one wins. You are far more likely to find success with a provider who creates a safe environment for you to be heard, seen, and acknowledged. If you don’t feel those things, it’s time to be your own best advocate and move on to a better provider.
