7 Things that Will Make You a Better Coach
I’m always on the lookout for ideas that will make me a better coach. Here are seven ideas that I’ve gathered over time. Some of them will surprise you, I hope:
1. Take a vacation. Coaches (like many other people) are overworked. A vacation puts everything aside for a while and allows you to enjoy yourself. And your clients’ problems will percolate in your subconscious while you’re tanning on the beach.
2. Read an industry-leading book in the industry of each of your clients. If you have a NASA rocket scientist in your life coaching class, pick up a copy of his or her favorite rocket science book. You might understand 10% of the book but I promise you that your client will appreciate the effort AND you’ll understand so much more about your client!
3. Get coached. They say that doctors make the worst patients. I think that it’s a good idea to sit on the other side of the desk from time to time to be reminded of what it’s like. Here’s what will happen: You’ll be sitting there thinking, "Am I getting my money’s worth from this coach? It doesn’t feel like it. Oh wait; is this what my clients think about when I’m coaching them? I’d better make sure they feel it." Happens every time.
4. Take up a hobby that allows for personal expression: painting, writing, drawing, music, dancing, whatever. Get your creative juices flowing. It’s a great way to unwind after taking on the stresses and problems of your clients.
5. Tell your clients about yourself. Break down the wall of professionalism slightly and share a bit of yourself with them. Don’t reverse the coach/client relationship, of course, and don’t say anything that would diminish your credibility ("I was so drunk this weekend…"). Find some anecdotes from your life that are related to your work and share them.
6. Visit your clients in the environment in which they are being coached. You will gain a ton of insight into your client from this visit. HOWEVER it is fraught with danger so be careful. Ask their permission, give them plenty of warning, keep the visit short, and only mention coach/client relationship if your client gives you the okay to do so.
7. Write down your processes. Think about an average client who comes to you with an average situation. Write down the processes and ideas and strategies you would do to walk that client through to a solution. Be as detailed as possible. You might get to the end and simply think "well, that was interesting" and be done with it. But most people who try this will discover something about themselves and about how they work. They might find new opportunities for tools to use. And some of you might even have a resource that you can give away or sell.
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