Red Flags When Choosing A Coach

Show notes

What We Cover:

The explosion of product coaches — and why it's harder than ever to choose one
Red flags: overpromising results, one-size-fits-all approaches, lack of relevant experience
Green flags: coaching mindset, relevant product and coaching experience, transparency in approach
How to assess if a coach is a good fit for your domain, stage, and style
Why the best coaches won’t tell you what to do — and what they should be doing instead
The difference between coaching and training (and when to look for each)
Chemistry calls: what to ask and how to spot misalignment early
Why coaches need to have had coaching too

Key Takeaways:

Great coaches help you develop your own thinking — they don’t just hand you answers.
Look for relevant domain and coaching experience — not just a shiny title.
A good coach puts you in the driver’s seat and meets you where you are.
Fit > credentials: coaching is personal, and chemistry matters more than a certificate.

Resources & Links:

Mentioned in this episode:

Our previous episode on Types of Product Coaches
Product Discovery Training and Product Discovery Courses by Teresa Torres
Product Leadership Coach by Petra Wille
Petra’s blog with coaching success stories
The Prosperous Coach by Rich Litvin (briefly discussed — and gently critiqued)