I've bookmarked this page - there's a lot of info that I can definitely see coming back to.



Of note now for me is the "Reaches agreement about the guidelines and specific parameters of the coaching relationship such as logistics, fees, scheduling, duration, termination, confidentiality and inclusion of others" bullet found in the "3) Establishes and Maintains Agreement" section.



I'm feeling like we should have an couple more practice sessions on their initial consultation meeting. I can see how this meeting can arguably on of the most important as it sets up guidelines and explanations.



I'm also thinking it might be helpful to create my own "information/consultation" packet that I can send topple who are considering utilizing my services. Might be helpful to craft my agreement docs, explainers, and even a welcome primer video so that I can send the appropriate info to a potential client as we prepare to meet.

I agree, Saeed - this is a valuable post!



My strengths lie in cultivating trust and safety, as well as listening actively. These are skills I have developed over my years working in pastoral ministry. Active listening is also a skill that a few friends have affirmed in me.



I still need to work on the second competency, which involves trusting that the client is in charge of their own life and responsible for their actions. I tend to be a problem-solver ... but slowly I am learning that is often not what people need or want! They want someone to listen compassionately and help them stay on track to achieving their goals.

I have to say that I find lists like this overwhelming - but I know they can be helpful.



A couple of my strengths are cultivating safety and trust and active listening. Like Jessie, these are things that I already do as part of my ministry and they easily translate into coaching.



There is plenty to work on - but here are three things I picked out and my strategies.



Invite the client to generator ideas about how they can move forward.

My strategy for this is to work at being aware of what I include in questions that I pose. If I can back out specifics that I think of, then it opens the question up for their input and ownership. For example instead of saying something like - "Could you ask Jane to help you?" say "Who could you ask to help you?"



Demonstrates curiosity during the coaching process.

For me, this is really about staying present to what the client is saying (or not saying) and sticking with them. One way for me to do this better is to work on trusting the coaching process and my ability to work the coaching process. If I'm anxious about what will happen in the session, I'm more likely to try to steer it then to stay curious and see where it goes.



Acknowledges clients are responsible for their own choices.

This is difficult for me because it my internal belief system tells me that I'm not serving a client well if they don't feel inspired/motivated enough from our time together to take action. My strategy for dealing with this is to engage in reflection following coaching sessions so that I can heighten my awareness of this belief and how it affects my coaching such that I'm able to notice when it's affecting me and decide to change my frame.

Three indicators of coaching proficiency that I feel are most important for me to pay closer attention to right now are:

1) Maintaining the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy, and other support professions;

2) Acknowledging that clients are responsible for their own choices; and

3) Challenging the client as a way to evoke awareness or insight.



I can easily, quickly, and comfortably fall into the role of mentor and teacher, especially when the client is asking for this. I am sometimes too quick to provide suggestions or answers instead of letting the client do that work.



Some strategies for dealing with this are:

1) Trusting the process and adhering to the five questions of the session agreement;

2) Spend more time asking questions than making statements; and

3) Reminding myself that I am responsible to the client but not for the client.

After going through the ongoing agreement I realize that I need to pay attention to the following areas.



1. Evoke Awareness

I will need to pay greater attention to the limiting beliefs and ideas of my client. It is easy to get "stuck" in narrow or dead end thinking. I will have to be more aware of this



2. Embodying Coaching Mindset

I need to be more self aware of my own emotions, attitudes, and feelings, also my energy levels. I know for example that I am much better in the morning hours between 8-1pm and less so in the afternoons and evenings. I cannot be a good coach if I am physically or mentally tired. Knowing this I would coach clients earlier in the day rather than later when I can be fresh, alert, and more excited.



3. Maintain Presence

I can see myself slipping into the "fixer" role quickly since I have a lot of experience in parish life I quickly think I "know it all" so I need to have a posture of "not knowing" which requires a lot of humility. I'm working on it

For me, these are the 3 that I need to focus on: 5. Maintains Presence, 6. Listens Actively, 7. Evokes Awareness. I am, by nature, easily distracted and tend to multi task. So I need to work on focus, remaining attentive, allowing silence, listening well and asking powerful questions so that I can evoke awareness. To accomplish this, I'm taking notes as a coach, intentionally allowing more silence, and honing my skill at developing and succinctly framing powerful questions.