What to expect in a coaching session

Coaching can take place either on a face to face basis or over the phone. Sessions are scheduled to last for around 30-40 minutes. Occasionally they are shorter, such as when a client has a break-through moment, or can be longer when the matter is complex and needs more time. When the subject area is complex, it is often better to cover the topic in more than one session.

•  First it is important to set a clearly defined goal for the session and where it is part of a bigger topic, to establish where it fits in with the overall picture.

•  What is happening now and what has helped/hindered in the past is explored in order to establish a clear current state - a starting position.

•  Options on possible activities that can be undertaken are identified and explored. The more that come out the more likely it is that the most suitable way forward can be identified.

•  When the way forward has been decided upon, it's then time to identify what the Coachee is going to commit to doing - probably before the next coaching session.

While this briefly describes the coaching format, time is not divided equally between the sections, neither may all the sections be covered in the session or with the Coach. As has already been said, coaching is as individual as the Coachee's needs and it may be that for the client to gain the clarity they need the session's journey to go back and forward between these activities.

There are other activities that can be undertaken with a Coach, such as establishing the Coachee's values and their priorities. These sessions follow their own format.

Coachees are encouraged to take their own notes. I do take notes in most sessions, but they are to assist me with tracking the journey of the Coachee, rather than noting particular activities or insights that the Coachee has gained.Coachees who take their own notes often find it easier to follow their chosen course of action because they have something to reference after they have put the phone down, or gone home - you may be surprised how quickly some brilliant insights get forgotten.