Oftentimes there is confusion among potential clients regarding the need for coaching versus the need for therapy or counseling. There are distinct differences in services. Coaches do not diagnose or treat. A coach may help a client to get treatment, however, the coach does not provide treatment. Below are some coaching dos and don’ts…
Coaching Dos:
· Begin each session with renewed trust and rapport
· Ask and listen how clients feel
· Empathize with the clients’ feelings and needs
· Use opportunities to explore the clients’ best experiences, core values, and heartfelt wishes
· Use effective listening skills
· Remain upbeat and energetic with a positive attitude
· Give clients praise while focusing on positive changes
· Balance praise according to the client’s needs
· Remove judgments and show appreciate for the challenges in changing behaviors
· Use a variety of motivational tools to support client motivation
· Use humor
· Remember important and special days such as birthday
· Reframe: “failures” as “life lessons” and “learning opportunities”
· Support and encourage the support of family
· Be aware of the need for environmental modifications
· Ask open-ended questions to evoke stories as learning experiences
· Provoke change when reflecting back what the client says
· Speak the truth with love when it builds self-esteem and self-efficacy
· When they can, challenge clients to aim higher
· Take the least necessary notes that will refresh memory each week
· Keep up with current information on health, fitness and wellness
· Send emails to clients between sessions
· Receive feedback on what and what does not work throughout the coaching process
Coaching Don’ts:
· Talk too much
· Use psychotherapy
· Acting as expert, unless the client requests expertise
· Assume what the client had meant
· Impose goals onto the client
· Push clients beyond their ability
· Show impatience with lack of change
· Focus on personal problems and being self-absorbed
· Allow clients to focus on areas outside the coaching scope and expertise
· Make assumptions regarding the wants and needs of the client