Feb 28, 2019
What if coaching doesn’t work?
It’s important for my clients to know that the coaching process works. But sometimes, coaching doesn’t work! What can you do to make sure coaching works ?
I’ve had some great coaching and I’ve one that was awful. Here's what you can do to ensure coaching works for you.
1. The Wrong Type Of Coach
You need to consider WHAT you want the coaching for. WHY you think you need it and WHERE you want it take you. This will narrow things down for you.
Then investigate different coaches and how they work. Some teach you their model. Others look at you, your business, your struggles, your goals and help you figure out what will work for you (that’s me)!
If someone recommends a coach to you, make sure it’s going to meets your needs.
2. No Rapport Between Client And Coach
The client/coach relationship is crucial. Some clients thrive on a gentle, nurturing approach, whereas others prefer direct straight talking. Then there’s a balance of all sorts in between (I’d say I’m honest and straightforward with support and kindness thrown in).
In order to ensure there is rapport and the possibility of a good working relationship, it’s always a good idea to meet or talk with your executive coach before you jump in.
3. A Lack Of Trust
You’ve got to be able to trust your coach. You’re going to be talking about your feelings and your struggles. Whilst it won’t all be focussing on the negatives, you’ll get the best from coaching when you’re honest and possibly a bit vulnerable, so you need to feel safe doing that and trust that your coach can help you.
If you’re part of a coaching programme through your organisation, make sure you know the terms: by checking the confidentiality terms you can feel safe to disclose all your thoughts, issues and feelings.
I usually work independently with executives and entrepreneurs, and we do sign a working agreement which sets out confidentiality clearly and professionally.
4. Boundaries And Expectations Are Not Clear
Clear boundaries are important. Ensure your coach will set out what they expect, when and how to contact them, and ensure they’ll do what they say they’ll do. Clear boundaries help you to feel safe so that you know what’s OK and what’s not in the coaching relationship.
I always plan out all sessions in the diary. There is flexibility to change them, but there’s a cancellation policy too.
Also get clear on your goals. It’s hard to make changes if you don’t know what you want to change, or what that outcome will look like.
5. Coaching Gets Stuck In The Past
Coaching is about moving you forward to where you want to be, not dwelling on what you ‘should’ have done. That comes through looking to the future and action.
Sometimes we need to go back and work on getting you some strong foundations so you can go forward stronger and stay successful in that progress.
6. When There’s No Legacy To The Coaching Work
Whether you’re with a coach for an hour, a day or three months, it’s really important that you can maintain the good progress you’ve made. There’s no point investing in coaching then letting old habits and patterns slip back in. So it’s worth spending time working with your coach to identify how to apply the changes to your life for good.
With my experience in psychology and neuroscience I help you make changes easily without having extra duties on their to-do list! That makes sure that coaching does work.
Contact me HERE or BOOK in my diary and lets talk.