Support for Coaching Professionals - Choosing Your Coach: 10 Questions to Ask

Are you a leader exploring coaching to elevate your performance, wellbeing, or leadership presence?

Use these ten questions to guide your decision when selecting the right coach for you—along with responses from Rachel Dungan to help you evaluate her fit, philosophy, and experience.

 

1. What is your coaching philosophy and approach? How do you role-model it?

Rachel’s Answer:
As The Pharmacist Coach, I co-create a personalised development pathway based on 4Front’s 6Ps of Professional Excellence:
Personal Leadership, Purpose, Professional Excellence, People, Products & Services, and Prosperity.

Coaching with me is a non-hierarchical partnership that promotes autonomy, clarity, and whole-person growth. I practise what I coach—through daily habits like yoga, reflective practice, ongoing CPD, and active wellbeing advocacy.

 

2. What outcomes do your most successful clients typically seek?

Rachel’s Answer:
Clients commonly pursue both tangible and transformational outcomes, such as:

  • Greater confidence and clarity

  • Stronger leadership presence and decision-making

  • Reduced burnout and better resilience

  • Improved team dynamics

  • Work-life integration aligned with core values

 

3. Do you have client feedback in their own words?

Rachel’s Answer:
Yes, you can view many testimonials on my LinkedIn Profile. Here are a few highlights:

“Being accountable for the commitments I made helped me make time for new steps.” – Diana Shipman
“She’s a trove of personal and organisational development knowledge.” – Jude Doherty
“Rachel’s methods were both empowering and encouraging. I found new ways of seeing and solving.” – Rea Hogbacka

 

4. What evidence-based strategies shape your coaching?

Rachel’s Answer:
I draw from a broad foundation of theory and practical tools, including:

Each session is tailored using the methods that best suit your goals, style, and context.

 

5. How do you apply ethical frameworks?

Rachel’s Answer:
I adhere to the codes of:

Ethical codes are not just checklists—they’re conversation starters. Together, we explore ethical dilemmas, unconscious bias, and cross-professional boundaries to support safe, values-aligned practice.

6. What are your coaching credentials—especially in healthcare?

Rachel’s Answer:

  • ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC)

  • EMCC Senior Practitioner (EIA-SP)

  • National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)

  • Red Team Strategic Coach®

  • Certified Positive Intelligence® Mental Fitness Coach

  • Registered Pharmacist (MPSI, PG Dip QA, Scholar – Trinity College Dublin)

I bring over 25 years of healthcare leadership and more than a decade of coaching experience into every coaching session.  👉 Click here to view Rachel’s credentials and professional qualifications

 

7. What are your own CPD practices?

Rachel’s Answer:
My continuing professional development includes:

  • Facilitating programmes for the IPU Academy

  • Regular peer and group supervision

  • Participation in Coaching.com Membership, ICF Communities of Practice, PQ Mastery, and global coaching forums

  • Research collaboration with pharmacy and coaching institutions

My development aligns with 4Front’s ABCDE Success Path™, ensuring reflective, structured learning that supports both me and my clients.

 

8. How do you stay current with healthcare and coaching trends?

Rachel’s Answer:
I stay engaged through:

  • Active membership in communities like ICF, PQ, Red Team, FIP, IIOP, and ELMO

  • Presenting at and attending global conferences

  • Peer learning, journal reviews, and collaborative projects

This means the strategies I offer are always grounded in both proven science and emerging best practices.

 

9. Do you offer team or group coaching?

Rachel’s Answer:
Yes, I offer:

  • Team Coaching – Supporting the team as a single unit to improve collective performance

  • Group Coaching – Bringing individuals together to grow around a shared theme or challenge

  • 1:1 Coaching for Leaders – Supporting personal development and leadership effectiveness

We’ll discuss which format suits your context, goals, and team dynamics.

 

10. How does coaching with you work in practice?

Rachel’s Answer:

  • Sessions are typically held via Zoom

  • You’ll receive access to a private client portal for scheduling and reflections

  • We begin with a written agreement outlining expectations, confidentiality, and logistics

  • Coaching is always tailored to your values, leadership context, and development goals

 

🟢 Ready to Take the Next Step?

Let’s explore whether coaching is the right fit for your leadership journey.

Step Into the Leader You’re Becoming

You’ve explored the questions.
You’ve reflected on what matters.
Now it’s time to choose with intention.

This coaching partnership is for leaders who are ready to align presence with purpose, strategy with systems, and personal growth with professional excellence.

Are you building something bigger than yourself?
Let’s shape your next chapter with clarity, confidence, and impact.

👉 [Enrol in 1:1 Coaching for Coaching Leaders]   Your journey to stronger leadership starts here.

 

Not Sure Which Option is Right for You?

If you’re at a crossroads, navigating complexity, or simply unsure how best to proceed, schedule a 90-Minute Strategy Session.
This focused, structured time offers the space to pause, reflect, and explore your next steps with clarity.

✔️ Unpack current challenges and where you're feeling stuck
✔️ Gain renewed direction, focus, and confidence
✔️ Identify the support structure that best aligns with your needs and goals

Ideal for leaders and coaches ready to invest in their development, this strategy session is designed to help you make an informed, intentional decision about what’s next.

Walk away with greater clarity, practical insight, and a personalised path forward that supports your growth and impact.

👉 Schedule your 90-Minute Strategy Session now
📩 Or email rachel@racheldungan.com

 

Or return to the full Coaching for Coaches & Leaders overview.