Whether you’re a coach yourself or are looking to hire one, here are some things to consider:

1. Be professional.

This includes being on time for sessions, showing up prepared, communicating clearly, and having a system.

If you’re showing up late consistently, you’re setting a precedent and indicating to your client that you don’t value their time. Of course things happen, but that should be the exception, not the norm.

You should be ready to train your client, meaning you have a plan and can adjust when appropriate.

Always be responsive, even if that means letting the person know you’ll get back to them. This doesn’t mean you need to (or should be) available 24/7. Setting boundaries around communication (e.g. “I respond to emails and texts during X hours”) helps set clients’ expectations and prevent resentments on either end.

Lastly, you’ll want to be organized regarding your clients’ programs and training history. This might look like having a list of their past and current injuries and a record of their programs. Whenever I’ve been in the client role myself, I know there’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like you’re starting over with your coach every week.

2. Be consistent and reliable.

Similar to professionalism, you should be able to leave whatever you’re dealing with at the door. If you’re having a bad day and your client has to bear the brunt of it, that’s just not fair. I know clients can be difficult sometimes, especially when your patience is wearing thin, but it’s your job to show up for them. You may need to step off the floor for a minute to take a deep breath on hard days, but either way, you never want your clients to feel like they’re walking on eggshells around you.

Along the same lines, you want to be consistent in your level of care and investment in them. Coaching can be very rewarding but also emotionally taxing, so you need to play the long game. When you invest in a client, try to do so in a way that feels sustainable. Try asking yourself, “Can I keep this up for the next 10 years?”

3. You’re clear about who you can (and can’t) help.

A good coach isn’t necessarily great at everything. Yes, you might have some knowledge about many areas and styles of training, but as you become more skilled, you’ll likely develop an area of expertise.

If a client comes to you asking to learn a specific skill, it’s important that you’re clear with them about how you can and can’t help. That way, you earn their trust and avoid getting into territory you’re unqualified to be in.

4. You really care.

What does caring look like? It starts with remembering simple things, like your clients’ kids’ names, what they do for work, or their favorite neighborhood restaurants. These things matter because they demonstrate that you’re listening.

Most of coaching is about really listening and adapting to the person in front of you. These lessons come from experience (and mistakes), but they can only be learned by actively training the skill of listening. When we care, we do our best to listen.

Remember, people know when you’re performing. If you want to be a good coach and build meaningful connections, you need to care.

5. Be honest and self-aware.

Coaches hold a lot of responsibility and should take this privilege seriously. There is a lot to know as a coach, whether it’s about anatomy, biomechanics, biology, programming, or your opinion on something. It’s a lot to keep up with!

But it’s important to be able to admit when you’re unsure. It not only keeps you honest with yourself, but also with your client. If your client asks you how much protein they should be eating and you’re not confident in your nutrition knowledge, now is not the time to pretend you are. Saying something like, “I’m not sure, but I can find someone to help you with that,” is looking out for your client—and yourself. You don’t need to have all the answers.

6. Be curious.

Curiosity helps you stay interested in your client, engaged in your craft, and hungry for growth. Coaches who are interested are willing to expand beyond their current skill sets and comfort zones.

Being interested in things outside of training (there’s a lot more out there) makes it easier to talk to your clients, especially since they’re probably not interested in talking about training all the time.

It’s easier to engage with people on other topics if you pay attention to the world around you, have other hobbies, and most importantly, are curious about who they are.

People remember how you make them feel, and there’s nothing more flattering than someone taking a genuine interest in you.

Closing thoughts and questions for you:

While this list could have gone on and on, it’s also up to you to think about what you want in a coach, or how you want to show up for your clients. These are of course some values that I have for both myself and for the coaches that we bring onto our team at Devilfish, but there are so many other great qualities and attributes that can make someone stand out.

What do you look for in a coach?
What values do you have for yourself when it comes to coaching and working with clients?

What makes a great coach?