How do I add value in-between & after coaching sessions?

coaching performance Jul 01, 2024

"The value of coaching happens after in between sessions." - My Very Wise Mentor

When I heard this one-liner, there was a massive shift for me. It suddenly removed the pressure of having to be perfect in every coaching session and allowed me to think about my job more like a gardener. Together in our session, my client and I would plant seeds and set the conditions for them to continue watering the idea, belief, or action after we close our session.

There are one million ways you can add value to your clients between and after coaching sessions. Here are 13 possibilities:

Check-ins: schedule periodic check-ins with their clients to see how they are doing, ask about any progress they have made, and provide encouragement and accountability.
Personalized assignments or practice areas: provide personalized assignments or activities to work on between sessions
Creating summaries and capturing wins/themes over time: at set intervals, send your client a list of what they've created/accomplished while working together. Everyone loves a little dopamine.
Create a shared notes folder: Emails and texts are easy to lose. Create a one-stop shop for all of your client notes, assignments, resources, and practices. (Note: Be very mindful of confidentiality and ensure speak to your client about the structure before instituting it. Notes-sharing apps like Evernote a great for this type of capture).
Resource sharing: share relevant articles, books, podcasts, and other resources to support their personal and professional growth.
Provide tools, worksheets, or exercises: as you use more tools and exercises, DOCUMENT them. You'll likely create a few impromptus in some of your sessions. Provide your client with custom tools and practices.
Technology (ex. Habit Tracking): encourage your folks to track their habits or progress towards their goals using tools like apps or a simple habit tracker or another favorite app you've used/recommended.
Weekly Recaps: send a weekly recap of progress, highlighting any areas where they excelled and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Reflection Exercises: provide reflective exercises such as journaling prompts or self-reflection questions, helping them gain deeper insights into their motivations and goals.
Role-Playing: Coaches can conduct role-playing exercises with their clients to help them practice challenging conversations or difficult situations, building their confidence and communication skills.
Personalized Assessments: administer personalized assessments such as personality tests or emotional intelligence assessments, to help clients gain a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
Visualization Techniques: teach visualization techniques, helping them imagine and manifest their desired outcomes and goals.
Spot Coaching/On-Demand Support: offer on-demand support to their clients via email, phone, or messaging platforms