9 Questions to Ask a Leadership Coach Before Hiring One (And How to Know If You’ve Found the Right Fit)

The Right Coach Changes Everything

Hiring a leadership coach can be a game-changer—if you choose the right one. A great coach doesn’t just give advice; they equip you with the tools, strategies, and confidence to step into leadership with clarity and impact.

But how do you know if a leadership coach is the right coach for you? Asking the right questions will help you make an informed decision and find someone who truly understands your needs.

I’ve worked with leaders at all levels—from early-career professionals finding their voice to seasoned executives fine-tuning their influence. Along the way, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about skills—it’s about alignment, mentorship, and bridging the gap between generations in the workplace. Here are nine essential questions to ask before hiring a leadership coach.

1. What’s Your Coaching Style, and How Do You Adapt It to Different Clients?

Every coach has a unique approach. Some are structured and directive, while others take a more open-ended, exploratory style. You want a coach who adapts their methods to your personality, challenges, and career goals rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

My coaching style? It’s personable and adaptable. I challenge and push my clients to uncover hidden assets and shift perceived liabilities into strengths. Leadership is as much about perspective as it is about skill—when you shift how you see yourself, you shift how others see you. My goal is to help leaders at all levels build confidence, develop emotional intelligence, and navigate leadership challenges in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. Whether you’re a new professional trying to build credibility or a senior leader managing a multigenerational team, my approach meets you where you are and helps you step into the next level of your leadership potential.

2. What Leadership Challenges Do You Specialize In?

Not all leadership coaches focus on the same areas. Some work exclusively with executives, while others specialize in career transitions, team leadership, or specific industries.

My focus areas:

• Leadership presence – Commanding a room and owning your influence.
  
  
• Career confidence – Overcoming imposter syndrome and stepping into leadership.
  
  
• Emotional intelligence – Strengthening self-awareness, adaptability, and relationship management.
  
  
• Social Energy Mastery – Managing presence and energy across different leadership situations.
  
  

3. How Do I Help Clients Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt?

Imposter syndrome is one of the biggest barriers to leadership success. If you don’t feel like you belong at the table, you won’t own your voice, advocate for yourself, or take bold career moves.

I once worked with a sharp, driven professional who had recently stepped into a leadership role in a high-impact organization. Relocating across the country for the opportunity brought excitement but also a deep sense of homesickness and uncertainty about whether they truly belonged in this new environment.

The Challenge: Drifting in Meetings & Hesitating Under Pressure

• They found themselves mentally drifting during high-stakes board meetings, distracted by the pressure and feeling disconnected.

• The weight of being in a new environment blended with imposter syndrome, leading to hesitation in key discussions.

• Their presence suffered, and decision-makers noticed. They risked being overlooked rather than stepping into the authority they had worked so hard to earn.
  
  

The Coaching Process: Grounding Confidence & Strengthening Presence

To help break through self-doubt and hesitation, we developed a strategic, holistic approach:

• Scenario Preparation: We walked through different meeting dynamics, anticipated questions, and crafted a strategy that positioned them as a confident contributor.

• Pre-Meeting Reset: Instead of rushing into meetings feeling scattered, they started spending time at a nearby park—a place that reminded them of home and gave them a moment of peace before stepping into the boardroom.

• Anchoring in the Moment: We focused on being where their feet were—staying fully present while also creating space to imagine, explore, and reconnect with their leadership vision.
  
  

The Breakthrough: A Confident Leader Who Commands Space

Their transformation was undeniable:

• Their presence became outstanding. Instead of fading into the background, they projected confidence and authority.

• They gained greater responsibility, expanding their role beyond its original scope to include budgetary oversight and strategic planning.

• They connected the organization’s mission with a personal commitment to serving others—this alignment became a unique leadership strength that set them apart.

The Leadership Takeaway: Confidence Creates Opportunity

• Leadership presence isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up fully.

• Imposter syndrome disappears when you align your voice with your purpose.

• Confidence isn’t just internal—it’s in how you prepare, how you show up, and how you own your space.

This story is proof that when you commit to overcoming self-doubt, refining your presence, and stepping into your authority, opportunities expand.

If you’re ready to break through imposter syndrome and own your leadership, let’s talk. Book a free Clarity Call today.

How Do I Approach Networking and Relationship-Building Coaching?

Networking isn’t about collecting business cards—it’s about building influence and career momentum. The ability to form authentic relationships is a critical leadership skill, but too often, professionals struggle with networking due to uncertainty, social pressure, or lack of strategy.

I teach my clients how to navigate relationship-building across generations. Today’s workplace consists of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—each with different communication styles and expectations. If you can understand these dynamics and build connections across age groups, your leadership reach expands exponentially.

Turning Networking from a Liability into an Advantage

One of my clients was phenomenal at the job but struggled with networking. Despite excelling in every aspect of work, stepping into a room, shaking hands, and making small talk felt overwhelming.

Even though relationship-building was a core part of the organization’s culture, avoiding it became a disadvantage. Peers were advancing, gaining influence, and unlocking opportunities that weren’t accessible without strong connections.

Through coaching, we reframed networking as a strategic advantage rather than a social burden.

The Coaching Approach: Reframing Networking for a Competitive Edge

• Identified the Root Issue: The challenge wasn’t networking itself but the pressure to always be “on.”
• Leveraged a Competitive Mindset: Being a high achiever, the focus shifted to using strategy and preparation to build confidence.
• Created an Energy Management Plan: Developed a structured approach to balance engagement and intentional pauses to avoid burnout.
• Built an Authentic Approach: Shifted the mindset from forced interactions to purpose-driven connections.
  
  

The Breakthrough: A Shift in Confidence & Strategy

• Networking became intentional rather than overwhelming.
• Authentic connections replaced surface-level interactions.
• A long-term strategy was in place for building influence without exhaustion.
  
  

Key Strategy: Bridging Generational Gaps in Networking

• Engage with both mentors and rising talent to expand influence.
• Understand generational communication styles to navigate workplace dynamics effectively.
• Prioritize quality over quantity—networking is about the right connections, not the most connections.

If networking and relationship-building have felt like a challenge, I can help you turn them into one of your greatest career assets.

 Book a free Clarity Call today, and let’s transform your networking strategy.

5. What Frameworks or Strategies Do You Use to Accelerate Leadership Growth?

A great coach should have a proven system for leadership development—not just motivational advice.

My approach includes The Synergy Pathway, a personalized leadership development strategy that aligns with your career goals and challenges. We focus on: Confidence & executive presence

Decision-making under pressure
Navigating workplace relationships
Advancing in your career without burnout

6. How Do You Help Clients Apply What They Learn in Real-World Situations?

Leadership coaching isn’t just about talking—it’s about taking action and making real shifts in how leaders show up, engage, and drive results.

I worked with an executive from a traditional corporate background who struggled to navigate the liberty and boldness younger employees exuded. Watching them walk straight up to the CEO, challenge ideas, and engage without hesitation was both admirable and unsettling. In her world, that approach felt dishonorable, yet it was well-regarded in the modern workplace.

The challenge wasn’t just about her adapting—it was also about how she coached her team on the balance between respect, presence, and strategic engagement.

The Coaching Approach: Bridging Leadership & Generational Expectations

• Clarified Her Leadership Legacy: She wanted to be known for empowering young women in corporate spaces but recognized that there was a gap in emotional intelligence (EI) within her team.
• Developed a Leadership Strategy: We worked on how to channel her wisdom and experience in a way that built respect and trust instead of resistance.
• Created a Mentorship Model: Rather than correcting the younger employee’s approach, she learned how to coach them on when and how to engage effectively.
• Facilitated a Connection Between Generations: I coached both the executive and her employee to build connectivity, strengthening their dynamic while honoring both perspectives.
  
  

The Breakthrough: A Leadership Shift That Strengthened Teams

• The relationship between them flourished, moving from tension to mutual respect and appreciation.
• The executive felt aligned with her leadership legacy, seeing how mentorship could create real impact.
• They expanded their influence, bringing in more team members to strengthen intergenerational collaboration.
  
  

Key Strategy: Leadership Is About Energy Alignment

• Read the room—understand the cultural and generational dynamics at play.
• Adjust your leadership tone—influence isn’t about authority, it’s about connection.
• Lead with intentionality—empowerment isn’t just about advice, it’s about modeling adaptability and mentorship.

Leadership isn’t about holding onto tradition or completely discarding it—it’s about knowing when to evolve and how to bring others along in that growth.

Book a free Clarity Call today, and let’s align your leadership for real-world impact. 

7. How Do I Know If Coaching Is Working?

Many coaching programs fall short because they lack measurable results. You don’t want vague promises—you want clear success metrics so you can track progress.

My coaching approach guarantees that if you follow the Social Energy Mastery strategies for 90 days and don’t feel more confident, connected, and respected in your workplace, I’ll continue working with you at no cost until you see results.

8. What Kind of Clients Have You Helped Before? Can I See Testimonials or Success Stories?

A strong leadership coach should have proof of success—whether through client testimonials, case studies, or specific success stories.

I’ve worked with leaders across a diverse range of industries—from Fortune 100 companies and large nonprofit organizations to startups seeking to clarify their unique value and build a culture that supports it. Whether helping a founder define their leadership identity or guiding an executive in a well-established corporation, my focus is always on helping leaders maximize their influence in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.

9. What Sets Your Coaching Apart?

Most leadership coaches ask you to take a leap of faith when hiring them. They say coaching works, but they don’t always back that up with a guarantee.

With me, you don’t have to wonder if coaching will work for you.

The Coaching Commitment – If you follow the coaching strategies for 90 days and don’t feel more confident, connected, and respected in your workplace, I will personally continue working with you at no cost until you see results.

The Right Coach Will Change Your Career

Hiring a leadership coach is one of the best investments you can make in your career—but only if you choose the right one.

If you’re looking for a coach who: Understands early-career and executive leadership challenges
  

Bridges intergenerational leadership dynamics
Has a proven framework for confidence, influence, and career acceleration
Guarantees real-world impact

Then it’s time to take the next step.

Book a free Clarity Call today & let’s discuss how leadership coaching can help you step into your next level of influence and success.