Oh hey, you're awake. Grab a cup of coffee and let's dive into what you can expect from our coaching relationship. If you have any questions, bring 'em to our first session where we'll run through each of this points to make sure we're on the same page.
You decide how we spend our time together. This includes setting longer term growth goals and the agenda for each of our sessions. Your agenda can be loose (“I need to vent”), specific (“I'd like to make a decision”), and it can have multiple items.
If you want to send me an agenda beforehand, go for it! If not, that's cool too. Just remember, if you have any pre-session reading for me to review, send it over at least 15 minutes early.
I treat each issue you bring to a session like a blurry image under a microscope, I'll help you focus that image by asking questions to further help you clarify the challenge you're struggling with and develop answers you feel comfortable owning. Remember: I can't tell you what to do. It's your company and your life, and you have to live with the consequences. My answer may not be right for you.
It's easy to see a coach, therapist, or doctor and defer to them (putting them “above” you) or treat them like someone you've hired (putting them “below” you). In our work, we need to see each other as equals.
Out of respect for one another, our time, and the value of our work together, I ask for a few commitments.
Strive to be on time, on the mark, nine out of ten times. If you're going to be late, give me a heads up. When we let little things slide, like being on time, it's easy to let big things go, too.
When you're in a coaching session, you're in a coaching session. Do Not Disturb mode is on, Slack is closed, email is closed. Unless it's an emergency, let's not let it get in the way.
Suitable environments for sessions are:
What happens in coaching stays in coaching. I'll keep your identity and our conversations confidential unless you give me permission to share. Feel free to share our work with anyone, especially those closest to you (spouse, friends, co-founders, etc.).
I'm not your boss, drill sergeant, or David Goggins. You're accountable to yourself, not me. But for our commitments (like showing up on time or paying bills), we're both on the hook.
If something isn't clicking, speak up! I can handle it. Feeling comfortable to share feedback is a sign of a good partnership.
When you bring an issue to a session, my first priority is to make sure we've diagnosed what's going on properly. Once we agree upon a diagnosis, we can move on to symptom relief. In the case of an underperforming employee, symptom relief may involve talking through how to set clearer expectations or have hard conversations with that specific person. But eventually we have to treat the root cause and develop a plan to make sure it doesn't keep happening. Root cause and reinjury prevention can cause people to get impatient in the short-run, but you'll thank me in the long-run.
I'm a big believer that it's just as important for you to feel heard and understood as it is for us to actually adress or solve your problem. So, before we start problem-solving, I want to make sure I understand what you're saying. If you feel I'm only catching 90% of the picture, hit the brakes and fill me in.
Sometimes, you need a tried-and-true method for tackling a new challenge. Think of these as business "recipes" – not the only way to do things, but a great starting point. I will often share these in Zoom chat during our calls, but if you prefer an email afterward, please say so.
Periodically in a session, I'll take notes. I'll try my best to make sure my notetaking doesn't interfere with listening, but if you feel like my eyes drifting to take a note is disruptive, please say so. Additionally, you're welcome to take notes (and I encourage you to do so).
Occasionally, I'll send a follow-up email with suggested readings, but don't feel obligated to read them if you're short on time. Some of the most important work happens between sessions. Reflect on our conversations and apply insights and lessons them with co-workers, friends, and partners to get the most out of our work.