What Makes a Great Life Coach? A Client Shares 8 Green Flags
What makes a great life coach?
Of course, it depends on who you ask. But any coaching client who has experienced a handful of coaches will have some nuggets of wisdom. Every coach shines in their unique ways, bringing different “green flags” that leave a lasting impression.
As the founder of CoachRanks, I’m fortunate to be connected with some of the industry’s top coaches—and I’ve worked with quite a few of them. I’ve hired coaches formally for months at a time. I’ve had one-off sessions to get perspective on new ideas and projects. I’ve even had impromptu sessions—check-ins with coaching colleagues who couldn't resist going into coaching mode (I’m the indebted beneficiary of many of these calls).
Reflecting on my most impactful coaching conversations and moments, I’ve compiled what I believe to be some green flags in top coaches. But this isn’t your average, vanilla list. I looked for some of the less obvious signals. My ultimate goal here is to inspire other coaches looking for ideas to level up their own practices.
What This List is Not
Before getting to the green flags, let me clarify: This is my unfiltered take as a coaching client.
Great coaches can also be defined as those who follow proper methodologies and practices. As the coaching industry aims to standardize, rules have emerged for what you’re supposed to do or not do in practice as a coach. Think: maintaining confidentiality, following a Code of Ethics, understanding advice vs. coaching, differentiating therapy vs. coaching, etc.
In addition to the following list, a great coach respects these fundamental boundaries. For some starter content on these basics, check out the International Coaching Federation’s core competencies.
8 Green Flags of Great Life Coaches
For some, this list may serve as a useful self-reflection tool to see where they’re already shining. For others, we hope it inspires new ideas and opportunities. While these green flags are just my opinion, they are undeniable enhancers to any coach’s toolbox. Let’s jump in.
1. A great coach is well-read.
You commonly hear that coaching clients see the most success when they do the work outside of their sessions. I’d argue a coach is most effective when they give clients the necessary tools and reading materials to do so.
A great coach serves as a library of resources for their clients who want to enhance their own learning and coaching journey. They’ve done the work on their own time to filter through their top book recommendations, article recommendations, mental exercises, worksheets, and more. And their mental library is large enough that they can adapt recommendations to fit any client.
2. A great coach is certified.
I’d be the first to tell you that great, uncertified coaches are out there. They certainly exist. Some people have an innate ability to go into coaching mode, and they may have first-hand experience in a given coaching niche that serves as their rite of passage (i.e. think of the successful startup founder who wants to coach other founders).
That said, top credentialing firms offer rigorous certification programs that push coaches to really learn about coaching on deeper levels. Top coaching certifications don’t just let anyone waltz to the finish line.
Just as importantly, certifications are the industry’s best attempt at standardization. There’s no barrier to entry to call oneself a coach. This is great for the growth of the industry, but not so great for the highest-quality coaches who struggle to stand out among the noise. For those folks in particular, a certification helps.
3. A great coach builds connection.
Connection is the key for so many great coaching engagements. For some, picking and sticking with a coach is simpler than we make it out to be. They simply want to feel that intangible sense of connection that promises an enhancement to their lives.
💡 For some, picking a coach is simpler than we make it out to be. They simply want to feel that intangible sense of connection.
At its core, connection develops from empathy. This is one of the first humps a coach faces in their work with a new client. Can they authentically demonstrate a real understanding of their client’s situation? That early connection is the key that unlocks a door to trust, deep reflection, commitment to the process, and more. Until that connection is built, not much will be gained for either party.
4. A great coach shines offline.
Great coaches shine outside of their live sessions. Following a recent coaching session with Jesse Torrence, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an extensive email with his takeaways and insights. He also sent me a Google Doc with multiple pages of in-session notes (evidently, he has skillfully mastered the art of taking notes without his clients noticing).
I didn’t expect these follow-up materials, but they meant just as much to me as the actual session. Jesse sat with our discussion and spent real time reflecting and sharing his thoughts. In my head, our coaching for that day was completed when our call ended. But it was his own integrity that compelled him to do more. It was a classic example of surprise and delight—one of the most effective strategies for exceeding client expectations.
5. A great coach remembers.
I see “quick recall” as one of the most powerful capabilities in coaches. All coaches are sounding boards. But the best ones go a step further than being sounding boards; they are professional dot-connectors. To be a dot connector, you need to remember and manage a floating nebula of your client’s dots that haven’t yet been connected.
💡 Great coaches are professional dot-connectors. They help clients remember and manage a floating nebula of dots that haven’t yet been connected.
A coach who remembers prior conversations, comments, or ideas held by their clients can reflect them back at opportune moments. For example, they may recognize inconsistencies in their client’s thinking. Or they remind clients of previous agreements, beliefs, and goals that deserve consideration as growth opportunities emerge.
6. A great coach ebbs and flows.
There are times when clients need a friendly nudge and other times when deep reflection shouldn’t be rushed. There may even be select times when a coach can give some timely advice (even though the ICF says not to).
The point here is that while there is plenty of literature on what to do or not do as a coach, there will always be some gray space. The best coaches ebb and flow between pushing their clients and letting them explore. They understand that their clients’ opinions, situations, and values change—and as a result, the coaching must remain adaptable. Coaching with a fixed, steadfast approach will never be a winning formula in a space as human-centric as coaching.
7. A great coach recognizes BINGO moments
Think of this one as an extension of number five re: connecting the dots. A great coach recognizes those “aha” BINGO moments and doesn’t hesitate to call them out. Speaking from experience, sorting through my thoughts can be difficult. That’s exactly why some of us hire coaches; we want real-time feedback from someone who can help us see with more clarity.
💡 When a client has an “aha” moment, a great coach sees the significance of that moment and encourages further exploration into that mini breakthrough.
Great coaches don’t let the best nuggets go to waste, especially when the client is discovering them on their own. When a client has an “aha” moment, the coach should reiterate the significance of that moment and encourage further exploration into that mini breakthrough. For clients, these are often the most memorable bits of coaching. They create a highlight reel that stays top of mind when reflecting on what they’ve gained from coaching.
8. A great coach isn’t desperate.
Top coaches only work with people they know they can serve well. Sometimes, that means saying “no” to certain prospects where there is a misalignment between their needs and the coach’s capabilities.
This can be extremely difficult, especially for new coaches wanting to build up their client base. But it’s rarely worth overextending or overpromising as a coach. For starters, prospects can sense desperation. In contrast, a truly great coach understands what they do best and moves with a greater sense of confidence and authority.
Desperation also breeds higher turnover and lower client satisfaction. If you overpromise as a coach out of desperation to grow your practice, it won’t be long before your clients recognize the misalignment and continue their search for the right coach.
Final Takeaways
The coaches who inspired some of the green flags in this list are supporting themselves full-time through coaching. It’s a testament to the power of delivering a great service. There’s no right or wrong way to rise to the top of the life coaching space. You may become known for an entirely different list of green flags. The key takeaway here: Consistently find new ways to bring value to clients, and success will likely follow.
We’d love to hear from readers directly. What’s your favorite green flag and what is this list missing? Feel free to connect on LinkedIn to let us know, or subscribe to CoachRanks Insider below and reply to our next newsletter with your thoughts.
