29 Jan How to get the best from your coaching sessions
So you’ve hired a Coach – here’s a few pointers to help you get the best from your coaching sessions.
When would coaching sessions work best for you?
Try to choose a day and time when you aren’t rushing to or from a session.
Give yourself time to prepare before a session, and time to reflect after a session.
Be on time
If you’re late to a session you may not be in the right frame of mind.
You might also lose some of the time you’ve paid for and you won’t gain as much from the session.
Know what you want from the session
What do you need help with?
Spend some time thinking about that before the session. You could ask yourself –
What’s on my mind?
What could I work on with the Coach that would make the biggest difference to me
Know where you want to get to by the end of a session
You might want to have thought something through; have a clear plan for next steps; get some clarity or find some motivation.
Share your session outcome with your Coach
A Coach should help make sure you get what you want out of the session.
Check back at the end of the session to see if you’ve achieved it.
What do you want from the Coach in the session?
Do you want the Coach to listen?
Do you need space to think?
Do you need to be held accountable, challenged, supported, listened to?
Or is it something else?
How will you remember what you’ve covered in the session?
Will you take notes?
Be clear whether it’s you or the Coach who is going to note down any actions you agree on during the session.
Some Coaches may audio record sessions – with your permission.
If a recording is available let the Coach know if it would be helpful to receive a copy?
How are you with silence?
Coaching sessions are a great time to think.
Don’t feel you have to fill any silences.
A coaching session should be one of the few times you won’t get interrupted or feel you need to make small talk.
Be open and honest
Don’t just say what you think the Coach wants to hear.
Be as open and honest as you feel you can.
It might take a few sessions to build trust and rapport with your Coach – but this is what you should be striving for.
Be prepared to get outside of your comfort zone
Your Coach will help you see things from a different perspective.
You’ll probably be encouraged to get out of your comfort zone, try new approaches; new ways of doing things.
Give yourself time for a debrief
Set some time aside after a session to debrief with yourself – go for a walk, make a cup of tea, don’t rush straight off into something else.
What happens between coaching sessions?
If the Coach offers a check in by email or text between sessions – think about if this will help.
It might help to keep you accountable with tasks or goals.
Be patient and be prepared to put the work in
Coaching isn’t magic. It can be tough. It can sometimes take a few sessions before you start to see change.
The Coach will get to know you better and vice versa – and you should build trust and rapport.
The more you put in the more you’ll get out of it.
Working with a Coach made a big difference in my life. It could do the same for you.
Click here to book a free 45 minute introductory call to find out more about coaching with me.