How to Choose the Right Coach to Elevate Your Career

You’ve built a strong career. You’re sharp, ambitious, and capable. You don’t need a coach. But what if the right coach could be the key to unlocking a level of success you haven’t yet imagined?

Why High-Achievers Turn to Coaching

The world’s top leaders don’t rely on talent alone—they seek out strategic guidance to sharpen their thinking, avoid blind spots, and accelerate growth. The numbers speak for themselves:

  • A PricewaterhouseCoopers study found that coaching delivers an average ROI of seven times the initial investment.

  • 80% of executives who work with a coach report increased self-confidence, while 70% see significant improvements in performance, communication, and interpersonal skills.

  • Among Fortune 500 CEOs, 77% use coaching to navigate challenges and make smarter decisions faster.

Now, flip the equation: What’s the cost of not working with a coach? Slower growth, missed opportunities, and avoidable mistakes that could set you back years.

The Career Catalyst | Karen Kunkel Young

The right coach is more than a sounding board—they’re a strategic partner who challenges your thinking, holds you accountable, and helps you make bold moves with clarity. But not all coaching is created equal. Here’s what to look for when choosing a coach who will truly move the needle.

1. Find a Coach Who Understands Your Ambition

Great coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best coach for you isn’t just skilled; they deeply understand where you’re headed and what it will take to get there.

When evaluating a coach, ask yourself:
✅ Do they get the challenges I’m facing?
✅ Have they helped leaders like me break through similar barriers?
✅ Do I feel both supported and challenged in our conversations?

The right fit should be a hell yes—not a maybe. Who’s the one you’ll be excited to see again the moment your session ends? That’s why I always start with a discovery call, ensuring that potential clients are aligned before we dive in and begin a coaching engagement.

2. Choose a Coach With Proven Experience

The best coaches don’t just know leadership theory—they’ve lived it. Look for someone with a track record of helping leaders achieve meaningful, measurable breakthroughs.

An effective coach should be able to demonstrate:
✔️ Specific client wins and tangible outcomes.
✔️ Experience navigating industries or transitions similar to yours.
✔️ The ability to turn insight into actionable strategies that drive success.

Yes, credentials matter. I trained with 320+ hours of rigorous coaching education and earned an ICF ACC certification, a recognized gold standard in the field. But experience? That’s irreplaceable.

For over 25 years, I’ve led teams, scaled multimillion-dollar projects, and helped top performers break through their own limits. I coach creative leaders, founders, and high-achievers because I’ve been in their shoes—I know the mindset shifts and strategic moves that lead to transformative success.

3. Work With a Coach Who Invests in Their Growth

Would you hire someone who isn’t actively leveling up themselves? A coach who stops learning is a coach who stops being effective.

The best coaches prioritize their development—seeking out mentors, advisors, and high-level coaching networks. That’s why I work with a business strategist, a performance coach, and elite leadership communities. Growth isn’t a box to check; it’s a lifelong commitment.

The Right Coach Elevates Everything

I don’t sell coaching. I help high-performers get unstuck, sharpen their strategy, and create breakthrough success in their careers. My clients don’t come to me because they need support; they come because they’re ready to level up, fast.

If you’re looking for a coach who will challenge you, stretch your thinking, and help you step into the next chapter of your career with confidence, let’s talk.

📅 Schedule a 20-minute conversation to see if we’re the right fit.

Your next level isn’t waiting for the right moment. It’s waiting for the right move.

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