If you run a business, lead a team, or head up an organization, there’s a good chance you’ve considered hiring a coach—or at least looking to someone else for guidance.

A coach is focused on unlocking your potential. They work with you to improve your performance. As with anyone that you bring into your confidence and your business, you want to make the right choice.

We’ve been on both sides of the equation—as coaches and as clients. We’ve seen the good and the bad, and we’ve compiled a list of questions that will help you make an informed choice.

1. Are you coachable?

The very first question you must ask yourself before you hire a coach is whether you’re really ready to accept coaching—to make changes to the way you engage with your business and possibly even with yourself. Leaders who aren’t motivated to make lasting change don’t get as much out of the coaching relationship and may even see it as a failure.

Also, don’t underestimate the personal issues that can be uncovered as you dive into a coaching relationship. Be honest with yourself about whether there are physical or mental health issues that could affect your ability to receive coaching. If there are, we recommend getting clearance from a licensed medical professional.

2. Does the coach have experience that is relevant to your business and your needs?

Business coaching is a skill that grows with education and practice. The more experience a coach has, the more confidence you can feel in your journey with them. And I’m not just talking about coaching experience. Yes, seek out a coach that’s helped clients of your size and in your industry.

But perhaps more importantly, look for a coach that has been in your shoes and can empathize with the challenges you’re facing. If you’re an entrepreneur or a business owner, you’ll get significantly more from a coaching relationship with someone who has also started or run a business than with someone who hasn’t.

3. Do the coach’s values align with your own and with your business’s?

We talk a lot about values at Trajectify, and that’s because they’re at the heart of every business—whether the business leaders know it or not. Before you hire a coach, get really honest with yourself about your own values.

Ask a potential coach about their values, and be willing to walk away if they’re not in alignment. If you ask values questions when interviewing for new hires in your organization, consider using the same or similar questions with a prospective coach.

4. Are you confident the coach can provide you a return on your investment?

Working with a good coach is an investment of valuable time and money. Look for evidence of the coach’s past success. Expertise and thought leadership—articles, speaking engagements, podcast appearances—can be a good indicator, but go further.

Ask for examples of ways they’ve helped other businesses. Look for testimonials from past clients. You could even ask to speak with a client.

5. Can the coach be available to you when you need them?

You could hire the best coach anyone has ever worked with, but if they don’t have the capacity to help you when you need it, your investment is worth less. Working with a coach that can only set aside an hour a month or can’t stick to a specific schedule won’t provide you the sort of consistent and focused support that you need.

Having more than two weeks between coaching sessions can limit forward momentum. Be clear with a potential coach about your expectations and about theirs. Don’t enter into a coaching relationship without a defined agreement about the length of the relationship, the frequency of coaching sessions, and whether the coach has the ability to chat with you as issues arise between sessions.

6. Have you tested the waters before signing on?

No matter how great a coach sounds on stage or how much you agree with their articles, don’t hire a coach without having a consultation. A successful coaching relationship is a lot about fit. If you’re not comfortable being honest and vulnerable with your coach about the issues in your company or organization or if you’re not willing to accept their feedback, you won’t get much out of the process.

Wondering about the difference is between a coach and a mentor? We have the answers right here: What is the Difference Between Coaches, Mentors, Advisors and Consultants?