5: the coaching relationship pathway · ent prior to initiating coaching services. during the...

42 Copyright © 2014 | www.coachtrainingworld.com

“They say that time changes things,

but you actually have to change them

yourself”

~ Andy Warhol

5: The Coaching Relationship Pathway

The life cycle of the coaching relationship begins

with the enrollment process when coach and client

agree to work together, and is formalized with a

signed coaching agreement or contract. It proceeds

to a Discovery Session, an exploratory session that

gathers a rich trove of information about the client,

the client’s life and the client’s desired outcomes, all

of which serves as a foundation for future coaching

sessions. Ongoing sessions, or Progressives Sessions, are

client centered and client driven in service to advancing

the client’s agenda toward their desire goals and

outcomes. The coaching relationship concludes when

coach and client feel the coaching relationship is

complete and is finalized with a Closing Session.

43Copyright © 2014 | www.coachtrainingworld.com Copyright © 2014 | www.coachtrainingworld.com

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Initial Consultation / Enrollment Meeting

This is an optional, get-acquainted meeting you

may choose to offer potential clients as a means

of enrollment. Typically this initial consultation is

held over the phone, Skype or in-person with the

prospective client and/or a stakeholder such as a

parent, company manager or director who may be

hiring you to support their children or employees.

There are a number of ways in which to conduct

this meeting and a plethora of best practices and

proven strategies on how best to enroll someone into

the coaching process which we cover in detail in our

business courses.

Contracting Coaching is a professional relationship that is defined

by a coaching agreement that is signed by the cli-

ent prior to initiating coaching services. During the

contracting phase, the coach creates a clear under-

standing of how coaching can support the client and

draws the professional boundaries between coach-

ing and therapy or consulting. Coach and client then

co-design the parameters of the coaching relation-

ship in service to the client’s agenda. As a profes-

sional coach, your agreement or contract gives you

the framework for working with clients, covers finan-


cial and legal matters, clearly states what the client

can expect and protects you from misunderstand-

ings.

Also during the contracting phase you request

the client’s participation and feedback to help

determine the best way to coach them so that you

can co-create a rich and valuable experience for

the client. (Contracting will be addressed in greater

detail in the Contracting & Ethics section.)

Discovery Session

The discovery session is a specialized coaching

session that is designed to set the tone and stage for

the coaching process to unfold. Inside this session

the coach supports the client to clearly articulate

what they’d like to accomplish inside the coaching

relationship. During this foundational meeting the

coach will explore both the clients life as a whole

and help them to create goals and actions steps

toward achieving their specific dreams and desired

outcomes. In addition a number of self-discovery

tools are explored to set the stage for success

optimizing the coaching process. Typically this session

will take two to four hours to complete and may be

delivered in one session or broken up into 2-4 sessions

and delivered over a couple weeks.


Progressive Coaching Sessions

The progressive or ongoing coaching sessions

follow the Discovery Session – typically held three

times a month for 30-90 minutes. Each session

begins with the client determining the focus and

desired outcomes for that given session as the

coach supports the client to achieve their goals.

The coach may choose, with the client’s permission,

to use either freestyle coach or employ specific

coaching tools or processes or both during these

sessions. Most clients choose to remain in a coaching

relationship, consisting of regular coaching sessions,

for approximately four to six months. Thereafter it is

not uncommon that they work with a coach once a

month or as-per-need basis.

Closing Session

During this final, one-time session, the coach

and client review the client’s progress, look over

the various snapshots of their work together, and

celebrate the client’s accomplishments. The coach

may share one or more final self-assessments to

document the client’s progress comparing their

results in this final day with their first day inside the

Discovery Session. Finally, the coach may ask the

client to fill out a closing survey or performance form

to elicit feedback. This is also a great time to ask for

referrals since the coaching relationship is now over.


Preparing to work with your Client

Creating the Coaching Environment

Coaching, whether in person or over the phone,

should always be conducted in an environment

designed for the comfort of the client and free of

visual and auditory distractions (noise, children, other

people, pets, personal electronics, etc.)

Phone coaching should be done free of background

noise, static and interruptions for both coach and

client.

In-person coaching should include a quiet space

with comfortable seating that is separate (as in not

sitting side by side on a single piece of furniture) and

each angled about 45 degrees towards the other

(think a V shape with the seats at the top points and

angling inwards but not directly facing each other.)

This creates a sense of intimacy without the coach

being in the client’s personal space or dominating

the client’s visual field.

The client should have enough comfortable open

space in front of them so that they don’t feel

cramped or confined, and because it creates a

sense of open spaciousness in which the client can

comfortably contemplate or visualize as desired.

The in-person environment should also include

access to a bathroom, tissues within reach of the


client’s seat, and something available to drink such

as coffee, tea and water.

If the coach has a set of processes or tools that they

use from time to time (like the Web of Life), those

should be organized and within easy reach of the

coach.

Room temperature should be within a comfortable

range and additional thoughtful ideas like a throw

pillow or two are appreciated.

Lastly preparing yourself for the meeting such that

you can be present and in the moment with the

client in a grounded and centered state. We will

talk about more methods to support you to be able

to clearly focus on the client and be your best as a

coach during a future module.

Facilitating the Discovery Session

The discovery session provides an excellent

opportunity to better acquaint yourself with your

client, define a coaching focus, and learn more

about the client as a whole. During this session, you

may also share some information about yourself

in your role as a coach although the focus should

remain on the client and their agenda.

The discovery session is the foundational meeting

that sets the tone and the stage for the coaching


relationship. Because the relationship will progress

based on this initial experience, spend the time to

establish a solid base of comfort and trust.

This session is unique in that you will be facilitating

a number of tools and assessments to create a

foundation from which the coaching process will

build. This is unlike the progressive coaching sessions,

where the client will drive the focus and outcome of

the coaching session.

Discovery Session Toolkit

• Web of Life Provides a snapshot of the client’s current satisfaction level. Identifies potential focal areas

• Vision into Action Maps the client’s various goals and dreams with action steps

• Coaching Plan Overview of coaching relationship goals and desired outcomes

• ValuesIdentification Uncovers what is most important to the client

• Resources Captures client resources including assets, people, talents, skills, etc.


• Learning & Motivation Styles Assesses the client’s motivational preferences and learning styles

• Coaching Session Prep Form Helps the client prepare for their next sessions

• Additional Assessments as desired


Discovery Session Delivery SequenceDiscovery Tool Delivery Sequence

Timing Tool or Assessment Suggestions Before Discovery Session

Discovery Questionnaire

Send to client via email along with your coaching agreement prior to your Discovery Coaching session. Best used as an icebreaker at the beginning of the session to build rapport and learn more about them.

30-40 minutes Web of Life Be mindful to focus on using this tool to gather information about the level of satisfaction they have in each area of their life and the changes they wish to make. Try to avoid coaching them beyond this informational gathering phase.

20 minutes Vision into Action Walk the client through one outcome using this tool so they can see how it’s done and let the rest of their outcomes be homework. Creating a well-formed outcome is very helpful to creating clarity for fast-track success.

20 minutes Coaching Plan This is a document that will be used throughout the coaching relationship to record goals, progress and wins. Transfer the information gathered through the Web of Life and Vision to Action into the appropriate spaces. Alternatively you may have the client do this on their own time, providing them with some initial instructions.


Discovery Session Delivery Sequence Cont’d

*Please note that the times will widely vary for each of the

assessments and tools based on the coach, the client and the

tool it self. If you find yourself running out of time, you can

20-50 minutes Values Identification There are several ways to support your clients to identify their values. Depending on the person and the process you choose this exercise can widely vary in delivery time.

20 minutes Resources This tool may be delivered inside the Discover Session or given as homework and debriefed during a follow-up coaching session

20-40 minutes Learning & Motivational Styles

This tool requires that you give the client clear instructions and definitions and is recommended to be used inside the Discovery Session or as a follow-up session on its own.

N/A Additional Assessments

You may wish to incorporate additional assessments into the Discovery Session based on your Niche or particular way of working with the client.

5 minutes Coaching Session Prep Form

Share with the client at the end of the session and invite them to complete a coaching session prep form prior to each of their progressive sessions to get the most value from the coaching. You may want to send this to them digitally to print out on their own


always extend this process into a future session. Give

a brief explaining of each tool to the client and

share the purpose for it. If a client isn’t interested in

performing a particular activity, then honor their

request.

Closing Techniques

At the close of the discovery session, check in with

your client. Are you a good match? Does this still feel

like a good fit for you both? If you don’t feel this client

is the right client for you, you may choose to refer

them at this time.

• Schedule your coaching sessions for the next two weeks

• Share the Coaching Session Prep Form with the client and make arrangements to get their Prep Form within 12 hours of their next appointment

• At the end of the discovery session, make sure the client has at least one action step to give them a boost of momentum.

• Acknowledge the client’s commitment to success and growth upon departure.

• Remind the client of their next appointment as the last thing you say, e.g. “Looking forward to seeing you next Monday at 2:00pm.”


Sample Welcome Letter

Dear ________________________,

I am delighted you have committed yourself to the

coaching process!

As a team, we will create a coaching alliance that

will help you stay focused, empowered, inspired, and

moving forward with your chosen goals.

Our discovery appointment is scheduled for _____.

At that time, we will design a coaching relationship

that is best suited to meet your needs. You may

choose to fill out the assessment forms before our

appointment and fax/e-mail them back to me or we

can complete them during our first appointment.

For your convenience, I have also included our basic

coaching alliance agreement. Please take a minute

to review it and bring it to our first session along with

proper payment. We accept cash, check, money

order and Visa/MC.

Together we will forge a powerful relationship that

will empower you to create your ideal life. I admire

your commitment to yourself, your future, and your

dreams!

Your Signature


Sample Discovery Questionnaire

Dear ________________________,

Thank you for the opportunity to create this powerful

alliance with you!

Each person has a unique way of thinking and

interacting with those around him or her. As a coach,

it is important for me to understand how you view the

world in general and yourself in particular.

Please answer each of these questions as clearly and

thoughtfully as possible, expressing the best of who

you are. These are pondering questions designed to

stimulate your thinking in a way that will make our

work together even more productive. I suggest that

you take several days to compose your responses to

these questions.

(Then choose 4-6 of these questions to incorporate in

your own Discovery Questionnaire) Your life, now and in the future • What has brought you to coaching?

• What would you like to accomplish as a result of working with a coach?


• What would you like to be able to do in your life?

• How would you like to feel about your life? Or yourself?

• What is missing in your life?

• If you could step into a bigger role in your life, who would you like to be?

• What improvements or changes would you like to make in your life?

• What challenges are you facing?

• Do you have a secret passion in your life? What is it?

• What would be a fulfilling life for you?

• What is in balance or out of balance in your life?

• How would you like to feel about your life or yourself – mentally, physically, emotionally?

• If you could devote your life to serving others and still have the money and lifestyle you need, would you do it? If so, what would you do and how?

• Do you believe in God or in the concept of a Higher Power? If so, describe the most useful and empowering aspects of your relationship with God or your Higher Power. If not, what reference point, if any, do you use?


The Coaching Relationship • If you trusted your coach enough to tell them

how to manage you most effectively, what tips would you give them?

• How do you want me to be as your coach? If I was to share something that I felt might be significant or surprising to you, how would you like to hear it?

• What do you want to make sure you get from the coaching relationship?

• If you had a five-year goal, and the continuing services of a coach to help you make it happen, and time and money were not an issue, what would that goal be? What difference do you think working with a coach would make?

Please email ([email protected]) or fax (XXX-XXX-XXXX)

your reply back to me before our initial intake session

scheduled on ____________________.


Web of Life

The Web of Life is a tool that provides an assessment

of the relative balance and level of satisfaction of the

client in multiple dimensions of their life. Completion

of the Web of Life can be facilitated by the coach or

provided as homework.

The Whole Person Coaching web asks clients to

consider the following life categories:

• Career or Business – Vocation; work; your professional endeavors

• Environment – Home; physical setting; location

• Romance – Romantic partner; intimate connections


• Social Life – Friends; communal or social activities

• Spirituality – Spiritual connection and practices

• Health & Fitness – Overall health; physical well-being; physical fitness

• Growth & Learning – Self-knowledge; inner strengths; self-understanding/ awareness; studies or areas of interest

• Family – Immediate community; loved ones; relatives; pets

• Wealth – Financial stability; gifts; what you have accumulated of value

• Enjoyment – What you do for fun; play; hobbies

Client Instructions (May be facilitated by a coach)

• Choose a category on the Web of Life. Spend 2-3 minutes reflecting on how you define that category for yourself, in your life. You may take notes on the back of the Web of Life if so desired.

• After you have defined the category within the context of your life, rate your current level of satisfaction or fulfillment. Use a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest level of satisfaction. Enter this number in the box by each category title on the web and on then again on the second page where indicated.


• Once you’ve gone through the entire 10 categories move to the second page.

• Using the space provided write down one or two things that, if accomplished/changed, in each area of your life that would increase your level of satisfaction in that category of your life. You may choose to consider all 10 aspects or just the areas of your life you want to focus on inside the coaching relationship

5: the coaching relationship pathway · ent prior to initiating coaching services. during the...

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