There is much more to coaching than simply picking up the phone at a pre-arranged serious amounts of connecting with your client for a 30 minute chat! The old axiom “You only get from it, what you set in it” was never more true than for your coaching session. The client must receive maximum value from the session, nevertheless the coach receives maximum expenses.
If you want to facilitate the successful achievement of your client’s Desired Outcome, every one of your coaching sessions must be purposeful, results-driven and goal-oriented! If you want to charge top coaching fees, you better be to help go the extra mile and turn your coaching session into a coaching experience.
There are many elements that composition a properly executed coaching session. A couple of the 10 session criteria that I consider essential for creating a coaching experience!
Preparation
Before I come in contact with a client, I always allow myself a quarter-hour to properly get prepared for the session. This is actually the time when I do all of the following:
I review all of my notes.
Every time I conduct a coaching session, I take detailed notes on everything that happens during the period. I am always amazed at what number of coaches rely on memory from one session to your next. If you don’t take notes, you are not really a credible and professional coach! Winging always be for the wild birds!
I check my Coaching Timeline.
Every Coaching Program that I get ready for a client uses a 3 – 6 month schedule. I use this timeline to hold both the client and myself the agent responsible for achieving measurable progress toward a Desired Outcome.
I read the “Prep Sheet”.
Prior to every session, my clients submit a Coaching Prep Sheet where they write a quick summary of the progress they made since the last session and where they want to waste some extra time during the next session.
I prepare a Session Agenda.
Based on the notes, timeline and prep sheet, I create a simple agenda that I will use to maintain ones coaching session on track and on a moment. Now I’m ready to make the letter!
Maintaining Control
When you get involved in a coaching session with your client, it is important to are in control of the conversation consistently!You are the conductor of the “coaching bus” and your client is the passenger! While your client may have a trip of places your puppy wants to go, you’re the individual that is driving the actual bus that will drive them there!
This is particularly true if you’re gifting away a free initial coaching session! You’re passenger hasn’t even paid for public transit ticket yet, so don’t let them grab the rim! If they can drive the actual bus themselves, why does the catering company need you? Yet so many coaches allow their clients to “hijack” the coaching bus and take control on the session.
If you want to deliver a quality coaching session, you have got to be in control! How do you maintain control? By asking questions!
Asking Questions
Lead the conversation by asking questions! These questions must be targeted and focused on the Outcome. Listen intently to your client’s answers!
Ask more fears! Maintain control! And then wait for your “Coaching Climax”!
Creating Coaching Climaxes.
A Coaching Climax is the ‘mental trigger’ that validates and authenticates a pivotal point in a coaching session.I deliberately chose the word ‘climax’ as a metaphor for the powerful impact it’s on a coaching client.A skillful Coach can achieve multiple Coaching Climaxes to get a client during a coaching session.
If your client does not experience at least one coaching climax for every 15 minutes of coaching, your coaching session did not measure up towards rigorous standards connected with a Coaching EXPERT!
Achieving Milestones.
A sure-fire technique keep your clients motivated and on course is to provide measurable accomplishments during and following each coaching session.Recognize the progress the client has made when the last session and point out any recent ‘milestones’ that he/she has had reached.A ‘Success Formula’ is created when a string of ‘milestones’ are recorded around the path to achieving a Desired Verdict.
Keeping focus on the Desired Outcome.
If you don’t keep focus on the Desired Outcome, the client may start to wander in different directions. While definitely do not to be able to stifle any chance for your clients to achieve a Coaching Climax, you must guard against any random deviations from the session agenda. If you don’t, the session will miss its objective and will be going to difficult to record in your notes in the context of the overall Desired Outcome.