Mistake #51
MISSCHEDULING CALLS WITH CUSTOMERS
A good schedule of calls with your clients is important for your well-being and the effectiveness of your Coaching.
Examples of bad programming:
• Schedule a call at night that suits your client when it's a bad time for you.
• Have long gaps between coaching calls.
• Schedule calls on more days of the week than necessary.
• Coaching during the hours of the day when you are not at your best.
• Schedule too many calls without breaks.
Mistake #52
FALLING INTO THE ROLE OF A PAST PROFESSION
Most Coaches come from other professions, careers and roles, so it's natural to fall back on doing things the way you used to.
But remember, you are now a Coach and Coaching is a distinct profession with unique skills, strategies and methods.
When you have a slip, recognize it, free yourself and go back to being a Coach.
In 2 or 3 years you will stop falling.
Mistake #53
SIMPLY FOCUS ON TACTICS, ACTIONS.
Putting the client into action is useful and immediate tactical advice is practical, but do not limit your coaching to short-term solutions.
Take time to design and weave:
• Strategies / Resource Allocation / Systems
• Positioning / Education / Priorities
• Simplification / Internal changes
• New and Improved Objectives/Skills Training
You can simultaneously work on background and long-term things (strategies) and immediate and short-term things (tactics).
Mistake #54
BE PASSIVE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS
Coaching is much more than reflective listening.
Coaching is interactive, collaborative and the sharing of ideas and strategies in a creative and active way.
Some Coaches prefer a less directive approach; others prefer to be more directive with their clients; others coach along the entire spectrum (recommended).
Customers pay for your opinions, reactions, thoughts, ideas, suggestions, questions, and strategies.
Share everything, all this is Coaching.
Mistake #55
EXTEND COACHING SESSIONS
Even if you have time, it is not recommended because the client can expect more dedication next time and will feel little attended to when you limit the session to the stipulated 30 or 60 minutes.
It is best to have another client scheduled at the end of the session so that you and your client have no choice but to stick to schedules.
In any case, much of the Coaching usually happens in the last 7 minutes of the session.
Remember, you are doing Coaching, it is not a chat between friends.
Mistake #56
TAKE SIDES
Sometimes the client tries to get you to agree with him that X is bad (where X is a person, company, situation, product).
You can say something like: "I understand your disappointment, but I don't take sides."
This keeps you out of the loop and helps keep the coaching relationship clean and professional.
It also prevents you from getting fired when the customer changes his mind about X.
Mistake #57
DOWNLOAD WITH YOUR CUSTOMER
If you find yourself taking out your customer frustrations on your customer, this situation has occurred because you have been inappropriately holding yourself back for weeks or months.
Things accumulate; it is your responsibility to communicate everything that appears at the time it appears.
Mistake #58
GET EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH THE CUSTOMER
It's one thing to care and have consideration for your client and quite another to get too close and their goal/problem becomes your goal/problem.
You can maintain a professional distance and still be caring, loving, and understanding.
Coaches get emotionally involved because the client reminds them of some stage in their life or a similar situation and they tend to want to protect the client from feeling the pain, or making the same mistakes or missing an opportunity.
Mistake #59
COACHING BEYOND YOUR COMPETENCES
You must be willing to admit what you don't know or don't know enough to help and serve your client.
Note: Your clients do not expect you to know everything or be competent in all areas.
Mistake #60
BREAK CONFIDENTIALITY
Coaches have ethical codes about confidentiality similar to other professionals.
The rule is not to tell anyone the name of your client (or a clue), neither what was discussed nor what is being worked on.
If you break a confidence, you can be reported.
Include a discussion about confidentiality in the first session with your client or in the written agreement.