Having just wrapped up our November seminar with members from around the world, I had some important insights about what makes a top-tier coach.

Most coaches don't get the insights that follow, and this provides you with a fantastic opportunity to set yourself ahead of the pack.

1. Position yourself as a solution provider first, and a coach second. A "coach" is a generic title, no different than chiropractor or lawyer. Clients don't hire coaches. They hire people who can solve their most pressing problems. Unfortunately, most coaches don't get this, and you can see it in everything from their marketing messages, web site, and how they talk about their practice. BIG mistake!

2. Be a thought leader and don't just follow somebody else's set of tools. You need to create your own coaching frameworks. We show you how to go beyond just adopting our tools (or anyone else's) and how to create proprietary intellectual capital and methodologies that you own. That way, you truly set yourself apart from the pack. And by all means, never join a coaching organization based on somebody else's name; people hire YOU!

3. Stop trading your time for dollars. To make in the top 5%, learn how to get leverage on your time. Price on value. Hire in other coaches to do the work (95% of whom can't market, and are delighted to give you a nice cut because you can land big clients). Create books and information products that you can sell.

4. Build a support network. At the Center for Executive Coaching, you build relationships with great people from around the world. Also, I (Andrew Neitlich, Director and Founder) will personally work one-on-one with you to help you achieve your goals. We keep this program small so that I can do this. Try calling me on my cell at 941-539-9623 and see how quickly you can reach me. No other program makes this possible.

5. Spike in three areas. To be a leading coach, you need to spike in coaching content/solutions, who you know, and how proactive you are in attracting clients by getting visible as a go-to expert and thought leader. Few coaches spike in any of these areas, let alone all three, and are "caught in the middle" of the pack.

6. Know how to create winning proposals and engagement structures. We show you how to attract big clients with compelling presentations. We also show you how to attract major alliance partners who will refer you anytime a client of theirs needs a coach. To do this, you have to know how to conceptualize your value and how you will deliver it. Very few coaches have a clue!

7. Be agile in your solutions. Sometimes you are a coach. However, why stop there? A true trusted advisor adapts to provide training, facilitation, strategic retreats, and consulting as needed. We show you how.

8. Establish yourself as the go-to professional that people think of first when they have a need. Write books. Speak. Do research. There are simple ways to do these things, and we show you how. We even show you how to write a 250 page book while only actually writing 20 pages!

9. Provide a total, comprehensive solution. Behavioral coaching is insufficient. Perceptual coaching is insufficient. Address the whole person by focusing on perceptions, behaviors, personal and career development, creating a high-performance team, organizational development, strategic thinking, and more. Be comprehensive! 

So, are you a top-tier coach? If you are in, or have gone to, what we call a "light weight" coaching program, maybe it is time to upgrade. If you are just starting out as a coach, don't make a mistake and join a "light weight" coach program. Talk to us after you do your research!