What Do Coaches Do?
For most of our clients the purpose of coaching is to help them achieve some difference between their current situation and a defined future goal. For example, if a client wants to double their income over three years, we take the difference, [i.e. the increase in their income], divide that number by 36 [months] and then work to figure out how to earn that amount. Earning one thirty-sixth of a large amount is surprising doable for self-employed people. Even people with salaried jobs can figure out ways to make extra income, if they stop to think about it, especially with a coach.
So what is it that we do? Here are five of the more than 20 techniques a coach might use.
1. A coach will help their client be optimistic that the goal can be reached. One technique is to ask about a role model, someone who has already achieved the goal the client wants. For example a working mother may want work life balance. A coach might ask them if they know someone in a similar circumstance who has work life balance. The coach then helps their client figure out what the role model does [and doesn't do] and then guides the client to do more of the right stuff and less of the wrong.
2. A coach will be a cheerleader continually reminding their client that they have the skills to achieve the difference they want.
3. A coach may have to be confrontational challenging their client to allign their goals, actions and values.
4. A coach may have to be an ‘evolutionary elder’ sometimes using their own experiences as ‘discussion enhancers’ with their clients.
5. In a similar vein a coach may ‘model’ the behaviour their clients needs to use. Charging an appropriate fee is a good example.
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