What if I told you that there was a naughty and nice list for coaches?
I know, it’s crazy. Yet, there are some things you could be doing right now that could land you on either of these lists. Some things will put an invisible halo on top of your head and label you as a very nice coach. However, other things will pen your name on the naughty list!
So, which list are you on? And, what can you do to ensure you stay on the nice list for good?
In this special episode of the Mindset Coach podcast, I share five things that coaches do that put them on the naughty list. I also share five things that will put you firmly on the nice list, where every coach should strive to be!
You can listen to this episode of the podcast below or keep reading….
First, let’s get into the five things that put coaches on the naughty list!
1. Selling something you can’t deliver
It’s so tempting to make big promises to your clients because you’re passionate and you believe you can pull through. However, coaches who sell something they can’t deliver always end up on the naughty list!
When clients sign up with you because they believe you can help them with something, they trust you. When you fail to deliver on your promise, they don’t get what they’ve paid for, and you’ve lost their trust. You may have done a great job gaining clients, but if you can’t deliver on your promises, you’ll have a tough time retaining them.
Your coaching techniques must have substance. Luring in clients on false pretences is a colossal mistake, and it will get you on the naughty list – fast!
2. Thinking that every client is the same
Do you assume that every client is the same? If so, you could be on the fast-track lane to the naughty list!
Abraham Maslow once said in 1966, “I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.” In other words, if all you have is a hammer, it’s all too easy to see every problem as a nail. However, applying the same tools and techniques for every client is not a recipe for success.
As a coach, you must understand that every client is different. It would help if you had a range of tools in your toolkit to have the flexibility to support various clients with their problems. Having a framework in place is the best way to help clients get from where they are to where they want to be. But, whatever you do, do not resort to a cookie-cutter process for each of your clients (please!).
3. Believing it’s all about the money
If you’re in the coaching business to make money, and that’s it, you’re in the wrong business. Of course, it’s fair to want to grow a successful and profitable coaching practice. However, if you become solely focused on profits, you will lose sight of why you wanted to become a coach in the first place
You also risk becoming a pushy coach who talks their clients into things they don’t necessarily need. If you ever come across a coach who pressures you into something to make a sale, stay clear! Coaches should care about you as their client, which means they care about building a relationship with you rather than only caring about how much money you’ll give them.
4. Not building sufficient rapport with your clients
You must spend enough time in the diagnostic phase, which means taking the time to learn about your clients. You really shouldn’t take everything your client says at face value. As a coach, you must dig a little deeper and understand what your client is not telling you. What has happened in the past that’s led them to where they are today. What patterns are they repeating?
Make it your mission to discover as much as possible about your clients. If you don’t, you may end up coaching them on the wrong problem. As a result, your clients will not achieve the results they truly desire.
5. Blaming Clients for not doing the work
The final mistake that will get you on the naughty list is blaming your clients for not achieving their desired results. You might blame them because they didn’t do enough work or they didn’t complete their tasks, etc. While it’s true that clients are responsible for showing up and doing the work, if they are failing to do so, it’s your problem too.
When clients aren’t working to make progress, it’s a sign that they are showing resistance to the work that you want them to do. The reason may be because you do not have enough rapport with your clients. Every task you set for a client must have a clear purpose and contribute to their ongoing success. So, it would be best if you didn’t blame clients for not doing the work. Instead, try to work with them and establish a two-way relationship where you truly listen to your clients.
Now, let’s take a look at five things that will get you on the nice list for coaches!
1. Listening
Coaches that end up on the nice list are coaches who listen to their clients. They really listen to what they’re saying and also what they’re not saying. Your clients need to know that you are 100% focused on them during your time together. If you’re engaged with what they are saying and reserve judgement of any kind, your clients will appreciate it.
When listening to your client, concentrate on the words they use, their tone of voice, their body language, and read between the lines. Ask questions where possible and make a conscious effort to practice listening more often. Listening is a powerful skill for a coach to have, and you really can’t be a successful coach without knowing how to listen.
2. Understanding
Everyone has their own perception of the world they live in. As a coach, you have to try and understand your clients’ model of the world. This starts by listening to them and learning more about their lives, including the thoughts, beliefs, behaviours, etc., that have led them to the present moment.
Only by understanding your clients’ model of the world can you begin to help them change it. It’s often our own perception of the world around us that holds us back from making a real change. Coaches can help their clients discover a new model of the world that aligns with their goals and helps them embrace transformation.
3. Use your toolkit
Every coach needs a toolkit to reach into and pull a tool or technique out that can help their client. Coaches work on the conscious and unconscious level, which means you need to have constant access to a range of helpful tools. You can’t use the same tool or solution to solve every problem.
Inside the Mindset Coach Academy, we offer a range of tools and processes drawn from all sorts of areas such as hypnotherapy, quantum physics, quantum linguistics, neuro-linguistic programming, positive psychology, and neuroscience. Having this dense range of tools and techniques means that our coaches can help their clients discover new possibilities and take the necessary steps to achieve their goals.
4. Plan, plan, plan
You can never do enough planning as a coach. Coaching is not something you can do on a whim. You need to plan accordingly, which means planning how you will help your clients achieve consistent and reliable outcomes.
If you have a plan and a framework in place, you can move forward with confidence that you have everything you need to help clients get results. Coaches on the nice list are huge planners. Some plan months ahead, and some plan days or weeks ahead. Nonetheless, planning provides you with the confidence, stability, and flexibility to sustain your coaching practice.
5. Give recognition to clients
Clients appreciate feedback and recognition for their progress and achievements. Coaches who make an effort to spend time in meaningful discussions with their clients about progress are the best type of coaches. The client feels like they are being listened to, and they feel like their coach genuinely cares about how far they have come.
So, take the time to get to know your clients and touch base with them often to give them recognition and encouragement to continue with their progress. Sometimes, clients are uncertain about their progress, and having someone they trust assure them that they are doing well can be a huge relief and a source of comfort for them. By giving your clients recognition, you can also help them build confidence in themselves and their ability to reach their goals. So, don’t be shy! Reach out to your clients and recognise their progress – they will really appreciate your kindness and support.
I hope you enjoyed this nice and naughty list for coaches, and if you notice that you’re doing a few things on the naughty list, don’t panic. There is time to change your ways to help make sure you move over to the nice list!
Are you ready to change the world and become the coach you’ve always wanted to be? If so, check out Mindset Coach Academy, where you’ll get the guidance, support, and tools you need to build a successful coaching practice.