Comments on: Why You’re Not Everyone’s Best Friend (Yet) http://www.howcoachesgrow.com/why-coaches-fail-3/ What Personal Development Professionals Need to Blossom Online Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:49:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Sue Atkins http://www.howcoachesgrow.com/why-coaches-fail-3/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Sue Atkins Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:13:06 +0000 http://www.howcoachesgrow.com/?p=14#comment-71 I thought this article was really useful about the benefits of offering solutions to problems rather than saying “I’m a Coach” In my experience when I first started out people at Networking events would say "So what exactly is a Parent Coach Sue?" and then decide that it was too airy fairy to understand and as you say glaze over. But when I said "I make parenting easy ....!" I found I began to have a wealth of referrals and interaction with "So how do you do that..." and we were off on a new conversation ! Useful and practcial advice - thanks :) Sue Atkins www.positive-parentsclub.com I thought this article was really useful about the benefits of offering solutions to problems rather than saying “I’m a Coach” In my experience when I first started out people at Networking events would say “So what exactly is a Parent Coach Sue?” and then decide that it was too airy fairy to understand and as you say glaze over. But when I said “I make parenting easy ….!” I found I began to have a wealth of referrals and interaction with “So how do you do that…” and we were off on a new conversation !

Useful and practcial advice – thanks :)

Sue Atkins
http://www.positive-parentsclub.com

]]> By: Tracey Wood http://www.howcoachesgrow.com/why-coaches-fail-3/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Tracey Wood Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:20:06 +0000 http://www.howcoachesgrow.com/?p=14#comment-50 I absolutely 100% agree that it's about empowerment. The "I can do that for you" approach relates to connecting with new clients. As a one-to-one coach you could use the statement as a means of enabling them to see that you can assist them. For example, a potential client comes to you and says "I hate my job and I can't see a way out" so you say "No problems. I've helped many clients with career dilemmas. I can help you find a way out." A simple example but see what I mean? You are offering them a solution to their problem. Maybe that wasn't clear in the post but that's what i meant... Thanks for your feedback Taru! I absolutely 100% agree that it’s about empowerment. The “I can do that for you” approach relates to connecting with new clients. As a one-to-one coach you could use the statement as a means of enabling them to see that you can assist them. For example, a potential client comes to you and says “I hate my job and I can’t see a way out” so you say “No problems. I’ve helped many clients with career dilemmas. I can help you find a way out.” A simple example but see what I mean? You are offering them a solution to their problem. Maybe that wasn’t clear in the post but that’s what i meant… Thanks for your feedback Taru!

]]> By: Taru Fisher http://www.howcoachesgrow.com/why-coaches-fail-3/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Taru Fisher Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:44:10 +0000 http://www.howcoachesgrow.com/?p=14#comment-49 I really like your suggestion about offering solutions to problems rather than saying "I'm a Coach" - people really glaze over when coaches start with that phrase. That said, I personally don't want to be anyone's savior, or say "I can do that for you". Why? because I believe people need to take responsibility for making the changes they desire in their life, with me as their "guide" and they the "explorer". I certainly have tools to assist them in their journey (that's what I trained for), and I absolutely love helping them find their own inner resources and create significant and lasting change. I really can't do it for them. I usually say something like "now that you're aware of what you want, I can help you get it". Or, "what will it be like for you when you have achieved your goal? I stop while they imagine it and then say, "I can help you reach it". And, I agree that the most critical component of the coach-client relationship is trust. Great blog post - it made me think about how I best engage a potential client. I really like your suggestion about offering solutions to problems rather than saying “I’m a Coach” – people really glaze over when coaches start with that phrase.

That said, I personally don’t want to be anyone’s savior, or say “I can do that for you”. Why? because I believe people need to take responsibility for making the changes they desire in their life, with me as their “guide” and they the “explorer”.

I certainly have tools to assist them in their journey (that’s what I trained for), and I absolutely love helping them find their own inner resources and create significant and lasting change. I really can’t do it for them.

I usually say something like “now that you’re aware of what you want, I can help you get it”. Or, “what will it be like for you when you have achieved your goal? I stop while they imagine it and then say, “I can help you reach it”.

And, I agree that the most critical component of the coach-client relationship is trust.

Great blog post – it made me think about how I best engage a potential client.

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