Coaching with accountability and finding honorable coaches

Some coaching courses teach how to blame the client for what did not work, so the coach carries no liability. I believe that is immoral, and this episode is the paperwork and the questions I would put in front of any coach, consultant or strategist before paying, including me. I share the 2020 wave of "I lost my job, so I got certified and now I coach," and why one success does not make someone a teacher. I share the platform advice to stand in front of a nice car even if it is not yours and fill the feed with other people's quotes. And the three page "consulting agreement" a client sent me that protected only the coach. What I ask for and what I offer: a non disclosure agreement if anything proprietary is on the table. A services agreement that says what each side is responsible for and how either side leaves, with the refund or credit terms in writing. A statement of work, even a conceptual one, that lists the topics covered so both sides can see the service was delivered. A clear invoice and a receipt. And one, two or three paid sessions first, so you get a sense of the person before any package. I also share why I do not want a coach's top testimonials. I want their authority in their own words, in videos, audio and writing, so I can decide whether their path relates to mine financially and in method. "Who else like us have you worked with?" deserves a true answer, and sometimes that answer is nobody. Coaches will never be held accountable like doctors and lawyers. So the accountability has to come from the person hiring them. Written transcription, chapters and links: https://lorenweisman.com/2025/01/01/coaching-with-accountability/Wait What Really OK is hosted by brand communications and optics strategist Loren Weisman.Episode pages with written transcriptions: https://lorenweisman.com/wait-what-really-ok/About Loren: https://lorenweisman.com/about-loren-weisman/Speaking: https://lorenweisman.com/speaking/Services: https://lorenweisman.com/services/Be a guest: https://lorenweisman.com/podcast-guest-info/Contact: speaking@lorenweisman.comOpening theme by RKVC. Closing theme by Doug Hinrichs. Both licensed.© 2011 to 2026 Loren Weisman. All rights reserved.