✨ Be a Great Coachee: 10 Tips to Get the Most from Coaching

Coaching is a powerful way to accelerate your personal and professional growth. I personally wouldn't be where I am today without the incredible support of countless coaches.

They've pointed out blind spots, shared insightful ideas, given me pep talks when motivation was lacking and feedback when I needed it most. But the best bit? 

They've been on this journey of building a business from scratch for years. They understand my story, challenges and vision. This also makes it 10 times easier for when I have a question to ask someone who deeply understands me and the business. I don't have to explain context for 30mins before asking a question I need an answer to. Plus it's much less lonelier. 

But how do you be a great coachee?

Well my friend. The success of coaching also hinges on the mindset and effort YOU bring to the table. It's a two-way street. 

So here are my 10 tips I've learnt after a decade of being coached.

Let's dive in.

1. Set Clear Goals

How can you be 'successful' if you haven't defined 'success'?

Start by identifying what you want to achieve through coaching. Whether it’s advancing your career, personal growth, or developing new skills, clear objectives will keep your sessions focused and productive.

Set 3 goals to achieve in 3 months and share these with your coach in the first session. Check In on them regularly each session after that too.

2. Be Open and Honest

Authenticity is crucial in coaching. Share your challenges, aspirations, and concerns openly with your coach. The more transparent you are, the better they can tailor their guidance to support your needs.

This isn't just about having someone to share all the incredible things that are working super well with, it's about unpacking the challenges and "not so shiny stuff" too. I like to use the 80/20 rule here. 

80% of coaching = sharing & unblocking challenges. 

20% of coaching = celebrating & debriefing successes. 

3. Prepare for Each Session

Come to each session with an agenda or key topics in mind. Reflect on your progress since your last session, identify any roadblocks, and think about what you want to accomplish during the discussion.

I like to email my coach 24 hours before with the 3-5 questions that I'd like to ask them. This is a short and succinct email which helps them prepare too. 

4. Take Ownership of Your Development

Coaching is a collaborative process, but ultimately, your growth is your responsibility. Take the initiative to apply what you’ve learned and follow through on action items between sessions. 

It's also lovely to follow up with your coach when you implemented their feedback and share the outcomes you experienced. 

5. Be Open to Feedback

Speaking of feedback... 

Feedback is the cornerstone of effective coaching. Embrace it with an open mind and a willingness to improve. Rather than feeling defensive, see feedback as a chance to refine your skills and perspective.

When feedback is shared, say "Thank you for sharing that. I'll take some time to think more deeply about this and report back to you on any reflections".

6. Ask Thoughtful Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask your coach for clarification, advice, or a deeper dive into a topic. Engaging actively with their expertise will better your understanding and lead to more impactful conversations.

Plus do your research. Spend 5-10mins exploring the background experience of your coach and ask them about how they achieved X Y Z. 

There's nothing worse than asking your Coach who specialises in IP Law about how to solve your Accounting problems. Get specific. Make it relevant.

7. Reflect and Apply Learnings

After each session, take time to reflect on the key takeaways. Think about how to apply these insights in your daily life or work. Real transformation happens when you consistently act on what you’ve learnt.

My fave thing to do is to get a new notebook (yes a real one!) and label it "Coaching". After each session, I play this music track and write down all the epiphanies and reflections I had after each session. This deepens my learning and makes coaching more impactful.

Playing the same music track every time you reflect after coaching also helps you re-connect with previous learnings you have. Trust me. It's powerful. 

8. Stay Committed

Growth takes time and effort. Be patient. Show up for every session, even when the journey feels tough. Your consistency and positive attitude demonstrate your commitment to the process.

Also arrive on time, finish on time. Don't be that person to disrespect someone else's commitments.

9. Provide Feedback

You can also share feedback to your coach! Share what’s working well for you and where you feel positive adjustments could be made. This helps your coach fine-tune their approach to better meet your needs.

For example, sharing that you're a visual learner is helpful context to understand how you like to receive information. Or perhaps you love sessions in the mornings when you're more energetic. 

10. Celebrate Together 

Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognising your progress helps build momentum and keeps you motivated as you continue your journey. It's also super fulfilling for your coach to hear how their feedback has positively impacted your life. Include them on the journey with you.

Let's Wrap

Alrighty my friend! I hope this has been useful. 

Coaching can be one of the most powerful tools you use to reach your goals faster, wrapped around immense support. 

Hopefully by adopting these tips, you can 10x the value you gain from coaching and have a more memorable experience. 

Need to find a coach first? We can help with that here.

Can't wait to hear how you go! Reach out anytime by hitting reply.

You made it

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back in your inbox on 17th to answer your most pressing questions.

Which reminds me, have a question you’d like to ask? Hit reply to let me know. I’d love to help you.

Until then,

Paz Pisarski
Co-Founder of The Community Collective

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