Creating the perfect structure for your coaching session

Recently, coaching sessions have become a core part of personal and professional development. From career coaching to life coaching, coaching sessions are desired by individuals looking for direction, support, and guidance in achieving their set goals and objectives. However, coaching sessions can be ineffective without a clear structure that guides the process. 

Creating a perfect structure is essential if you plan to succeed during your coaching session, as it helps you stay focused, organized, and on track toward achieving your goals. But don't get too excited yet. Developing the perfect coaching structure can be daunting, especially if you're unsure where to start. This Workee article will explore some proven techniques to help you create the perfect structure for your coaching session. We will also examine the top 5 coaching models you can employ to stand out in your coaching venture. Are you ready? Let's dive in!

What is a coaching session?

Coaching sessions are structured one-on-one or group meetings between a coach and a client to improve performance, achieve goals, and develop skills. Coaching sessions can occur in person, over the phone, or through video conferencing. The coach is a facilitator, guiding the client through self-reflection, identifying strengths and weaknesses, setting goals, and creating an action plan.

Designing an ideal coaching session structure requires keen planning, consideration of the client's needs and preferences, and adherence to best practices in coaching. In the next part of this article, we will take you on a tour of the key elements of a coaching session. However, if you need to build a customized professional website to help build your coaching brand and get clients to book your service quickly, you can visit Workee to get one for free without having to go through the rigors of website development.

The key elements of a coaching session

If you are passionate about your clients and desire to help make their journey with you fulfilling and worth the time, here is how to get it right.

1. Establish Rapport: The first step and probably the most key element in a successful coaching session is establishing a rapport with the client. This involves creating a safe, friendly, supportive environment that encourages clients to open up and express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. As a coach, you can develop and use active listening skills, acknowledge the client's perspective, and show empathy.

2. Set Goals: The next step is to set clear and specific goals for the coaching session. Your objective here is to work with the client to identify their desired outcomes, evaluate their current situation, and create a blueprint to help them achieve their goals. Also, ensure the goals are measurable, achievable, and aligned with the client's values and vision.

3. Assess Clients' Strengths and Weaknesses: Once you have successfully helped them to establish their goals, ensure you assess your client's strengths and weaknesses. This involves exploring the client's skills, experiences, achievements, and any obstacles or challenges that may impede their progress. You can use various assessment tools and techniques, such as SWOT analysis, to comprehensively understand the client's situation.

4. Develop Strategies: Putting the client's goals, strengths, and weaknesses in view, develop strategies to help your client achieve their desired outcomes. This would entail identifying the actions, resources, and support your client needs to overcome obstacles and succeed. You can also provide feedback, guidance, and accountability to help the client stay on track and make progress.

Evaluate Progress: After religiously following the steps above, complete the session by conducting an evaluation. Here, you assess the client's progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the coaching session. This involves reviewing the client's achievements, identifying areas for improvement, and creating a plan for future sessions. You can also provide constructive feedback and celebrate the client's successes, thus helping them build confidence and maintain motivation.

Tips for creating a successful coaching session

Below we will share some tips to help you hook your clients and create a lasting impression on your clients. Please stay with us.

• Preparation: Before the coaching session, the coach should prepare an agenda that outlines the goals, topics, and activities for the session. The coach should also familiarize themselves with the client's background, goals, and challenges to ensure they are well informed and can provide effective guidance.

• Active Listening: During the coaching session, the coach should use active listening skills to demonstrate interest, understanding, and empathy. This involves paying attention to the client's words, tone, and body language, asking clarifying questions, and summarizing key points.

• Collaboration: The coaching session should be collaborative between the coach and the client. The coach should encourage clients to share their ideas, perspectives, and solutions and work with them to create a plan that aligns with their goals and values.

• Accountability: The coach should hold clients accountable for their actions and commitments. This involves setting clear expectations, following up on progress, and providing feedback and guidance when needed.

• Flexibility: The coach should adapt to the client's needs and preferences. This involves being open to new ideas, adjusting the coaching approach, and accommodating the client's schedule and availability.

Top 5 Coaching models to help you become unstoppable

Not sure about how to get started with your coaching session? Don't worry. We got you covered. Check below for the top 5 coaching models you can employ to build your coaching business.

1. The GROW model

The GROW model is a popular coaching model used to facilitate goal-setting and problem-solving conversations with individuals or teams. The acronym GROW stands for:

Goal: What is the specific goal that the coachee wants to achieve?

Reality: What is the current reality? What are the current obstacles or challenges?

Options:  What options are available to the individual or team to achieve the goal?

The way forward: What specific actions will the individual or team take to achieve the goal?

The GROW model is usually used in a coaching conversation to help the individual or team move from their current state to their desired future state. In this model, the coach helps the coachee evaluate their goals and aspirations, clarify their current situation, generate options, and develop an actionable blueprint to move forward.

2. The CLEAR model

The CLEAR model is a coaching model that helps coaches structure their coaching conversations with their clients. The model is an acronym for the following coaching steps:

• Contract: Establishing a clear coaching agreement that outlines the coaching relationship's objectives, expectations, and boundaries.

• Listen: Active listening to the client's goals, values, and beliefs and asking relevant questions to gain a depth understanding of the client's situation.

• Explore: Encourage the client to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the coaching topic and identify potential solutions and strategies.

• Action: Collaborating with the client to develop actionable steps and goals that align with the client's values and desired outcomes.

• Review: Reflecting on the progress made by the client and reviewing the actions taken, identifying what worked well and what could be improved for future sessions.

3. The OSKAR model

The OSKAR model is a solution-focused coaching model that emphasizes the client's strengths, resources, and solutions to achieve their desired outcomes. The model is an acronym for the following steps:

• Outcome: Establishing a clear outcome or goal for the coaching session that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

• Scaling: Helping the client rate their current situation on a scale of 0 to 10 and identify what they have done in the past to move up the scale.

• Know-how: Exploring the client's strengths, resources, and skills that they can use to move towards their desired outcome.

• Affirm and Action: Recognizing the client's progress and affirming their efforts while collaboratively identifying actionable steps that the client can take to move closer to their desired outcome.

• Review: Reflecting on the progress made by the client and reviewing the actions taken, identifying what worked well and what could be improved for future sessions.

4. The TGROW model

The TGROW Model is a widely-used coaching model that Graham Alexander developed. TGROW is an acronym that stands for:

• Topic: This is the starting point of the coaching conversation, and it sets the focus of the coaching session. The coach and coachee identify a specific topic or issue that the coachee wants to work on.

• Goal: In this stage, the coachee sets a specific and measurable goal that they want to achieve. The coach helps the coachee refine and clarify the goal to be achievable and realistic.

• Reality: This stage involves exploring the coachee's current situation and identifying any barriers or challenges that may prevent them from achieving their goal. The coach asks questions to help the coachee reflect on their current reality and clarify what is happening in the present moment.

• Options: In this stage, the coach and coachee brainstorm potential options and strategies that the coachee can use to overcome the barriers and achieve their goal. The coach encourages the coachee to think creatively and explore various options.

• Wrap-up: The final stage of the TGROW model involves reviewing the progress made and identifying any action steps that the coachee will take moving forward. The coach may also provide feedback and support to the coachee as they continue to work towards their goal.

5. The coaching model

The Coaching model is a general framework for coaching that can be adapted to different coaching situations and needs. The model involves the following steps:

• Establishing the coaching relationship: This stage involves building rapport and trust with the coachee, establishing clear expectations and boundaries, and ensuring that the coachee feels comfortable and safe in the coaching relationship.

• Clarifying the coachee's goals: In this stage, the coach identifies their goals and objectives for the coaching session or series. This may involve exploring the coachee's current situation and helping them articulate their goals.

• Exploring the coachee's reality: The coach asks open-ended questions and actively listens to them to better understand their current reality and any challenges or barriers they may face. This stage may involve exploring the coachee's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

• Generating options and strategies: In this stage, the coach and coachee work together to generate potential options and strategies that the coachee can use to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. This may involve brainstorming, problem-solving, and creative thinking.

• Developing an action plan: The coach helps the coachee to identify specific actions and steps that they will take to move forward towards their goals. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals may involve establishing accountability measures.

• Reviewing and evaluating progress: The coach and coachee regularly review progress toward the coachee's goals and evaluate the effectiveness of the coaching process. This may involve adjusting the coaching approach or goals as needed to ensure that the coachee is making progress towards their desired outcomes.

Boost your coaching brand with Workee

At Workee, we understand that coaching is a complex process that requires careful planning and organization. That's why we have developed a comprehensive platform that offers a range of tools and features to help coaches like you create a structure that works for them and their clients.

Our platform includes various features designed to help coaches offer their services and manage their businesses seamlessly. These tools can create a clear agenda for each coaching session. Clients can also easily schedule coaching sessions. You can send reminders and follow-up emails and even conduct sessions via video conferencing. 

In addition to these features, Workee also offers a range of resources and support to help coaches improve their coaching skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices through our resourceful blog.

So why the wait? Sign up for Workee today and take your coaching practice to the next level!

Conclusion

Coaching sessions can be an effective tool for personal and professional development, but they require a clear structure to guide the process. You can create the perfect coaching session structure by establishing rapport, identifying goals, developing strategies, overcoming obstacles, evaluating progress, and utilizing the right coaching models for your clients. While there is no "best" structure, the most effective one is flexible, adaptable, and tailored to the client's needs.