You have probably already worked with a coach at some time in your life. Your coach might have been your parent or grandparent, a favorite baby sitter or teacher, or a "real" coach, such as a little league or soccer coach. Whoever that person or those people may have been, the experience for you probably had several characteristics in common. That is true for business or personal development coaching as well. The characteristics should include, but are not limited to the following components.

•  Instruction. Your coach has some skill or area of expertise that you want or need.
•  Accountability  built in to the relationship.
• A fresh perspective
• Goals and/or objectives that fit the SMART-ER model
• Trust 

The next few postings will discuss each of these areas in some depth. We will move on to what you should expect from your coach, how to customize your experience, and how to keep your edge. Please check back frequently.