What Makes a Great Coach Who Fosters Great Client Results?
Let’s talk about client results, shall we?
On the one hand, the biggest reason why we want to coach or provide a service is to improve and impact our clients’ lives.
On the other hand, putting pressure on ourselves to get our clients results to prove that we’re a “good coach” or a “good business owner” can mess with our mindset and our sense of self-worth.
There’s a fine line between the two — and what I’ve learned over the years with my background in education, experience in leadership development, certification in solution-focused coaching, and helping my clients get their first clients to fully booking their business — is the best way to help your clients get epic results is to know exactly what’s within your power and responsibility as a coach, so you can empower your clients to take full agency of their progress and results.
That’s why in this blog post, I’ll share with you a powerful exercise to help you to show up more powerfully as a coach and service provider while letting go of the unnecessary pressure from social media, society, or your own high expectations. I’ll spare you my rant on how as women we shoulder so much responsibility, and instead will provide you hope and a solution to help ease some of that burden.
This will be especially helpful for you if:
You’re hesitant to get visible and sell your services because you’re wondering what if someone asks you to do work that’s outside your normal scope
You feel burned out from over delivering — not from a place of service, but from a place of people pleasing
You’re nervous about sharing about client results in your marketing because you feel like they did all of the work
Here are 2 questions to ask yourself to show up more powerfully as a coach or service provider:
1. How does a “great coach” show up for her clients and her business?
I believe it’s helpful to actually define what “a great coach” means to you – otherwise, it can feel conditional or easily lead to self-judgment and feeling like you’re failing. By asking yourself this question, you can uncover some of your values that help to build a more well-rounded coach identity. For example, as a coach, I like to show up:
✨ fully present to lead the flow of the coaching calls
✨open and adaptable to meet the client’s needs
✨non-judgmental to create space for mindset work, asking questions, and creativity
✨supportive in sharing appropriate resources to meet gaps in business development
✨honestly and transparently in communication and give advice when appropriate ✨patiently for the business development and personal growth process – knowing that change can take time.
✨committed to continuous improvement through my own personal development, and being open to client feedback.
Then, these can turn into my commitments as a coach so I know what I’m responsible for, and what I’m not.
2. What leads to great client results?
It’s helpful to reflect on what environmental factors or actions lead to great client results – and it’s often when the client has a safe environment to “do the work.” For example, clients get results when they are:
✨empowered to be the experts of their life and business – no need to “fix” them
✨coachable – open to asking for help and outside perspectives while willing to take action on the right problem at the right time
✨free to experiment, troubleshoot, and reflect to see what works and what doesn’t work.
✨committed to skill development and improvement over time
When you break down the roles and responsibilities of the coach and the client, it fosters a partnership-type relationship that is supportive, collaborative, and creative.
What would you add to your list of characteristics for a “great coach” or “what leads to great client results?” Let us know in the comments below!
With joy,
PS: I offer a free 30 min. Business Business coaching session every money to 3 entrepreneurs who are looking to grow a service-based business without sacrificing their values. Join the email community to be entered to win a session of your own.