What normally happens in a coaching session? #122

A question I was asked by a new client this week

It’s easy to assume isn’t it. That people know what to expect in a given situation. Me of all people, a coach, who’s trained within an inch of my life to not make assumptions, should know this. But I’m only human. And in a complimentary coaching session this week I realised I’d not covered this super important step. I’d goofed my own process. As often happens when you don’t follow a process. You miss a step.

My client for the session, a lovely, successful woman building a great career in financial services. Accomplished, organised, confident, I assumed she knew what to expect. Goodness knows why because she told me she hadn’t worked with a coach before.

Halfway through - after I’d asked her a number of questions, listened, probed a little more and identified an issue for discussion - she asked:

“What normally happens in your coaching sessions Ruth?”

Arrrrggggghhhhhh. She stopped me in my tracks. In a good way.

Because she was a ‘one-off’ complimentary session, and I only had an hour to deliver a ton of value, I’d ploughed straight in!

It’s these moments when we learn. It’s why we have a ‘way of working’, a process, for a reason. Skip or skim and confusion or cracks can creep in.

Recovering my composure I explained my loose framework. I call it the W6+6 and it goes like this:

• What would be a good use of our time?

• Why is this important/why now?

• What will this give you?

• What do you want to take away from our session?

• Who do you need me to be?

• Where shall we start?

  +

• What are you taking away?

• What will you do next?

• When will you do it?

• What could get in the way?

• Who/what can hold you accountable?

• What’s a good way to end today’s session?

I went on to explain…

“To be clear, W6+6 is merely a framework. One that flexes and meanders to meet you where you are with exactly what you need. Think of it as bookends to the coaching conversation, not questions to be slavishly followed.

My aim in any coaching session is to meet you, my client, wherever you land. Some clients like to send me their session topic or thoughts in advance of the meeting. Others just arrive and talk.”

Reassured, we carried on…

Me

In the thick of running my financial business, I recall tumbling into many a coaching session unsure which way was up, let alone having a topic to discuss. Yet, without fail, once I’d been welcomed by my coach, calmed down and taken a few breaths, a topic would emerge, and I’d leave the session with clarity, knowing what to do next. Time to think, time well spent.

You

Today’s post sits at the crossroads of two things I care about – how we spend our time, and how we grow.

As ever I’m interested in you, whether coach or client – what’s your ideal coaching session look like?

And remember, you’re never going to be any younger than you are today; what’s the nudge you need to take the next step in your personal growth journey?

Until next week my friends,

Ruth x

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