

Red Flags When Choosing A Coach
Jul 8, 2025
24:13
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:
- Follow Teresa Torres: https://ProductTalk.org
- Follow Petra Wille: https://Petra-Wille.com
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)