STRUCTURE OF A SESSION
- Establish the foundation: a) It is a safe place: “Let me remind you that this is a safe, confidential space. Anything we share will remain confidential. Please feel free to discuss any subject that matters to you.” b) Coaching is: “Coaching is a partnership between the coach and the coachee. It supports the coachee by working and emphasizing his/her strengths in order to reach the goals set. Coaching is different from psychotherapy, counseling, or mentoring. It doesn’t look back into the past. Also, as a coach, I will not give you answers or solutions but do my best to ask questions in order for you to find what is best for you. If I realize that I might not be the right person to support you, I might redirect you to another appropriate professional. Does that sound right for you?” c) Duration of the session: “Our session will last one hour today.”
- At the beginning of the session, ask the coachee how he/she feels, if she/he needs to refocus/relax by taking a few minutes or doing a breathing exercise (e.g. breathe in the positive, breathe out the negative).
- If you have already had a session with the same coachee, ask how he/she has been feeling since you last met (to make a link with the previous session) or start by asking if the coachee has a positive experience to share. Remember to celebrate his/her successes.
- Ask the coachee: “How can I assist you today?”
- Ask: “What would be a valuable outcome for you by the end of this session? How will you know we have achieved it in this session”
- Focus on the why of the goal (to make sure it is the real goal and enable the coachee to find the outcome) and what the client believes needs to be addressed or resolved to achieve it.
- Ask open, positive and short questions: How?, What?, Where?, When?, Who? Avoid “Why?” Don’t use negative words. Don’t start with verb. Don’t put “I” in your questions/sentences.
- Acknowledge (a more energized tone of voice, words, etc.), mirror back (tone of voice, words, facial expressions, body language etc.), rephrase (help clarify), check coachee’s word meaning (which is both cultural and very personal).
- Check if the coachee is heading toward the desired outcome or needs awareness: “We have 20 minutes left…” (refocus if necessary).
- Action: “What could be the next step; what could prevent you from committing to this action? What value will you gain from taking this action” If the coachee is not ready to act, don’t force him/her; awareness gained during the session might already be a big step forward.
- What are the takeaways for the coachee?
- What other support might the coachee need to help him/her (e.g. follow-up support in between sessions via email)? "Is this a good place to end our session today?"
- “Thank you for being my coachee” (e.g. “Thank you for your openness, trust and authenticity”).
- Goal
- Balance
- Motivation
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Action
- Values
- Emotions
- Focus
- Self-care
- Time-management
- Finance
- Strengths
- Commitment
- Self-esteem
- Awareness
- Challenges
- Support
- Gratitude
- Beliefs
- Positive energy
- Celebration of each step
- Visualize success
- Structures
- Reframe perspectives
- Similar positive past experiences
- Priorities
- Flexibility