by Susan Kuepfer | Nov 23, 2021
Essential training for next level leadership, starting February 2022 We know stepping up as a leader is a challenge in a career: around 40% of new leaders fail in the first 18 months (according to a study by the Centre for Creative Leadership) Most leaders lack...
My clients have taught me a lot about what it takes to make a successful coaching relationship. These nine questions, extra tips, and prompts come from that personal experience. I hope they serve you well.
This seems obvious at first glance, but sometimes things are going on in our lives that can get in our way.
Here is a short checklist to help you double-check that now is a good time to start.
Much of the coaching work takes place between coaching sessions. So, mental space needs to be made for this work to happen. This also needs actual time in the agenda.
Tips to help make this happen:
(1)On a scale of 1-10, how ready am I to take action? (1= No way I am going to take this action, 10 = I am going to start right away, and I can see how to do it)
(2)What is one thing I could do to help me move closer to a 10?
For the rest of us, who are not manipulators, it can be hard to be truthful when the coaching conversation starts entering very sensitive areas. You know this is about to happen when you start to feel uncomfortable and think in your head: “Oh no – I don’t want to go there!” That’s ok! Just tell your coach: “This is an area I don’t want to explore.”
There are boundaries to coaching conversations, and you as a client have a right to establish those! Of course, a lot can be learned from boundaries. They can be rich areas to explore how they help or inhibit you, but how you and your coach deal with the boundaries is up to you.
Questions for you:(1)What boundaries would I like to set for this conversation?
(2)How will that setting that boundary help or hinder me and the coaching process?
(3)How will I tell the coach when we hit a boundary in our conversations?
If you are worried about how you will do this (giving feedback is not always comfortable even when you are invited to), discuss the topic with your coach when you hire them.
Some perspectives are easier to accept than others, and a willingness to explore these different views can help you get the most out of your coaching experience.
How ready are you stretch yourself and look at things from a different point of view?
TIPS
● When you sign up for coaching, decide that you will be on time for all coaching sessions. Make the commitment to yourself and your coach.
● Schedule a free space of 10 to 15 minutes before each coaching session to allow for timing issues.
● Schedule each call/appointment for a time of day when you’re least likely to be late or have the most control over your own time.
● Put a 15-minute task in your calendar 24 hours beforehand so you can prepare for the call in advance.