Coaching Tips And Resources - 6 Great Things To Do With A New Client

It is always exciting but sometimes a little daunting to start work with a new client. After all, you have yet have yet to build up rapport and trust. There can also be a nagging concern about whether you will fit and work well together.

Even the most experienced coach can feel this way but you can turn this concern into a tool to improve your coaching. Think of it as a clean sweep - the opportunity to think again and review familiar materials, revamp and improve them.

I always think carefully about the tools and resources I will share with my new coaching client in the first session, because I want to make the activities both fresh to me and targeted to the needs of my client.

Reviewing my materials from the perspective of my client can also help me clear and get present, and to get my agenda out of the way before the first session.

However, no matter how many changes I make, I have found that there are 6 things that always work new clients:

1 Asking some core coaching questions:

In order to start to get a picture of where you client is, where they want to be and how to get there - decide on four must-ask questions.

Here are four of my core questions:

• What are the biggest challenges, issues, or concerns you are facing in your life right now?

• If you woke up tomorrow and life was perfect, what would it be like?

• How would you like me to bring value to each coaching session?

• What may stop you in getting value out of coaching?

2 Sharing your approach to coaching

In sharing your approach to coaching with your client, you are communicating that it is important to be direct, honest and open about your style of coaching as well as your expectations and responsibilities. This helps build rapport, trust and honesty in the coaching conversations. It also begins the process of building the coaching alliance.

3 Sending a personalised welcome

This personal touch is important in beginning a supportive relationship with your client - and can be in any form - a welcome letter, card or e-card are just some examples. I tend to use a welcome letter as it allows you to introduce a package of materials (a Coaching Packet) to the client and an explanation of what needs to be completed.

4 Sharing your code of Ethics

Sharing your Code of Ethics is really helpful in building trust - for example, the focus on confidentiality is particularly welcomed by clients, especially corporate clients. Discussing the scope of coaching - what it is, and what it is not in relation to other helping professions - can also open a conversation about the support needs of your client and helps establish clear boundaries in case any issues emerge later in the coaching relationship which may not fall within the scope of coaching.

5 Making a coaching agreement

This process really helps up firm up the practical arrangements for coaching, including fees and the scheduling of sessions.

6 Giving the client an activity, resource or coaching tool to work on before the first session

This gets the session off to a good start and really focus your conversation. It can also gives the client a taster of coaching before their first session and can spark their interest and anticipation.

Finally - even if you think you have created the best possible resource - be prepared to let go of whatever does not seem to be working for your client - after all, what matters is what works for your client!

© Sonia Thomas May 2008