I’ve mentioned before that one of the things that anyone who signs up for my free what to put in a coaching welcome pack e-course is also invited to share what they would like to read more about on this blog.

One of the requests I’ve had recently was worded simply as “Explaining how coaching works.” As I read that request I’m aware that it’s something that there are a couple of ways that this may have been meant.

Some coaches and change workers may have read that request and automatically thought of a variation of the following question – “explain coaching to whom?”

It may be a request for more posts that literally take you, as the reader, step by step through how to do various coaching processes, models and developing skills used in coaching.

It may also be a request about how to explain coaching to a third party, probably someone who you would like to become a potential client.

Firstly, if you are the individual that made this request I want to thank you (and everyone else who has made suggestions and comments) for taking the time to share. I really do appreciate you doing that.

The main reason I draw attention to the 2 different meanings is so that I can address both potential meanings and make sure I’m honouring that request! 🙂

It also is an opportunity to demonstrate one of the things I consider as a coach when choosing which question to ask next, the story to share or even if to use a technique etc.

The language that someone uses can give an indication about how they are currently seeing a situation. It can be an indication of what is keeping them stuck, why they are not seeing potential solutions or taking action etc.

Using “Explaining how coaching works” I could have just written a post examining a specific technique, skill or coaching model. That may be sufficient to satisfy the original questioners request. However, as you will read in a moment, my answer about how to explain coaching to someone who is a potential client is different.

One of the methods of learning I enjoy is to read, listen, observe and generally experience other coaches work. Sometimes they will explicitly say why they have asked a specific question, phrased something in a particular manner or designed a particular exercise with a specific outcome in mind.

On other occasions there is no explicit explanation. In which case notice what you are noticing about their work:

• Perhaps you can piece together why they may have asked a specific question or gave a particular response.
• Maybe there is an indication about what beliefs etc that coach has about coaching in general and their work.

Some of the posts on this blog with specifically talk about a particular skill, technique or coaching model. Others will not be so explicit. I invite you to read a post and initially take any personal learning and insights from the content.

I also then invite you to re-read the post and see what you can learn from each one about how that posts author uses and approaches coaching.

Why do I suggest using both approaches? Some posts will have specifically been written for you to experience the content first hand. Don’t miss out on those potential insights and learning’s by not connecting and disassociating from the post.

If you are looking to explain how coaching works to a potential client I’m going to suggest that they are likely to be interested in the answers to slightly different questions. Firstly, they are likely to be primarily wondering about what can/will your coaching do for them?

If they are interested, the second question they are likely to be curious about is what actually happens. If they book a coaching session with you, what will happen, what will they actually do?

Notice that both those questions potentially produce different answers to how coaching works.

“How” coaching works is not going to be a burning question to a lot of potential clients. That’s not to say that there will never be someone that doesn’t want to know how something works, which models you use and any research that applies to the way that you work.

For example, I’m aware that working with coaches that sometimes out of professional curiosity they can be examining what I am doing and answering how my coaching works. Which I’m quite happy with as long as it’s not getting in the way of whatever we are working on directly.

I believe that each coach develops his or her own style and approach over time. A client working with each one of us will potentially have vastly different experiences because we are all individuals.

I am very aware that I have many readers from a range of different coaching backgrounds and niches. I’m sure that if I was to ask a sports coach how their coaching works they would provide a different answer to a spiritual coach. If nothing else their language would be different because they are talking about different contexts and normally different audiences.

So lastly, I would encourage you to develop a sense for yourself about how you work as a coach rather than how coaching works. After all, a client will ultimately be choosing to work with you.

Feel free to add your comments below. Including any extra ways that “Explaining how coaching works” can be interpreted and any insights, observations and thoughts you’ve had whilst reading this post.