When starting the coaching process it is normal to make mistakes!

Many of these mistakes arise immediately, at the very moment of starting the relationship, of creating it. It is a very sensitive moment that is more complicated than it seems to the naked eye but does not be discouraged. Everything is learned with the right attitude and knowledge.

Photo by Jesse Orrico on Unsplash

Below, we will reveal a list of the most common mistakes that we can make as a coach when creating the relationship:

  • Making too much noise:

Some coaches are too loud, not only in terms of voice or decibels but emotionally needy, absorbing, eager for the client to thrive. They compete with the client for space and energy during the coaching session. These coaches experience frequent client losses. The solution is to let the customer be as it is and not use the customer to validate your own expectations.

  • Give advice too soon:

When you know you have the perfect advice for your client and feel the need to interrupt and share it, your advice is probably not heard properly. Remember, customers, need to share first (be heard) before being open to advice and solutions.

  • Being linear:

A coach linear see life, growth, and success as a logical progression from a To B, from B to C, from C to D. You realize if you are linear when you're trying to impose your order on your clients or think clients must follow certain steps to achieve their goals. This approach to the matter is not very effective in an increasingly chaotic world.

Errors that come out ahead:

Likewise, there are a series of mistakes that arise routinely throughout the process, but that if we have clarity we can avoid or reorient. Here are some examples:

  • Diagnose psychological conditions:

We have already dedicated a few paragraphs to explain that coaches are not therapists, nor psychologists. Therefore, the coach does not work with clients in certain areas that we say have diagnosable psychological conditions. These include, but are not limited to drug addiction, depression, paranoia, schizophrenia, personality disorders, etc.

  • Try to do coaching with an uncoachable:

Some customers just don't want to change the way they do things. We call these clients uncoachable because the coaching process would include the growth, development, and evolution of being. They may be people who are worth a lot, but they are simply not ready for coaching at the moment. Educate the client on how to be a good receiver and be honest with him before letting him go or referring him to another professional.

  • Chase the customer through mazes:

The client presents you with a variety of ways to start walking. The trick is not to enter fired by the first trail that presents you or by which you see that you can go. Instead of intervening too soon, wait and listen more until a very powerful place to talk about appears. You'll know it's the right place because the customer will be silent and watch with you, instead of throwing a bunch of things at you to watch.

  • Expect too little from the customer:

You won't really know how much the client can do until you ask for something three times greater than what he exposed you at the beginning. In other words, double or triple the goal and see what kind of response you get. Ask again. In some cases, do not accept a" no " as an answer if you think the customer is up to it but is afraid. Remember, they are customers, not children or friends. They pay you to ask and expect a lot from them.

  • Falling into a paternalistic role:

Most clients don't know what role to place their coach in a coach? a friend? a father? It is our task to teach the customer to work with us as a collaborating partner in their life. You may know that you are being paternalistic when the tone of your voice is like that of a parent speaking to a child; you care more about the success of the client than himself, you try to protect the client and you see him as a helpless child.

  • Putting too much pressure on the customer:

To what extent can you put pressure on the client and that coaching continues to have to do with his life and not yours? You may know that you are pushing too much when you feel tired after the session, the client is resisting and fighting your pressure, you are convinced that your way is the right one, you are frustrated by the slowness of the client, you get angry, you get hot and you want to be right during the session. Solution? Discuss it with the client and/or withdraw. Let the client direct the coaching for a while.

The result of these mistakes is always identical: we lose the trust of our customers. It is necessary to be very careful and detailed to guarantee permanent, fluid, and effective work.

Have you ever made any of these mistakes or offered advice informally? What other possible mistakes would you add to the list?