If you have read the previous Blog “This Coaching Thing”..............(best read it now then!), you will, of course realise that this was not a coaching session “transcript” but rather a snapshot of a “conversation” with much background detail missing.

But you have to start somewhere.....!

Just imagine that brief conversation with someone who was interested enough in coaching to have an initial conversation albeit with significant reservations, and who then contacted again some months later to request some formal sessions.

So now, the case study scenario looks like this:

“Client A was left a large inheritance by Aunt Emm five years ago, but has so far not taken any steps in using this to realise dreams of running a business.  Having worked as a chef for a number of different companies over the years and now feeling a sense of frustration, the client has decided that now is the time to start moving forward with changes to realise those goals and dreams.”

So where do you start?

The Advanced Certificate in Life Coaching, a practitioner-level course, includes a number of exercises working with practice case study scenarios.

Frequently, the response is to start a long list of questions to ascertain more information in order to find a goal.

And before you’ve even started, I’m going to stop you right there.

You do not have to reinvent the wheel.

As a life coach, you are there to enable the client to achieve what s/he wants to achieve, not what you think they should achieve, or want/need them to achieve.

Life Coaching techniques will support you as the coach, to enable the client to explore the issues, identify goals, strategies, and any underlying issues etc which need addressing.

Specifically, that could mean using a template model such as Egan’s 3-Stage Model* or the GROW Model* for sessions and the overall process.

It could mean using Mind Mapping* techniques or Creative Questioning* to enable the client to explore issues in detail.  It could mean using the DAPAC* or SMART Goal* techniques to focus on actions to achieve those goals.

Many, many years ago, I remember a Christian Aid Campaign slogan:  “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life.”

Using and explaining the techniques with a client will enable them to identify and work towards achieving specific personal goals but also to acquire skills which will continue to support their work well beyond that coaching process.

But you have to start somewhere.....

*Some of the coaching models and techniques covered in the online Advanced Certificate in Coaching