How Do I Prepare for My First Coaching Session?

You’ve done all the work to find a business coach who aligns with your company values and has a proven track record in helping business owners just like you, now it’s time to have your first real coaching session. 

At this point you might be feeling mixed emotions, maybe some excitement, nerves or even overwhelmed by the prospect of what is to come. I say, congratulations, that’s a sure sign you are on the right track.

Why? Because that nervous excitement and overwhelm means you are about to step out of your comfort zone into something new and when you do that, you get growth. Actually, it’s the only way you will see any growth so embrace it and know that the feeling won’t hang around.

Your coaching sessions will be step-by-step, broken down into very attainable and rewarding bite-sized pieces – you don’t have to try and achieve everything in the first session. 

Of course you want to make the most of your opportunity and set yourself up for success, but how exactly do you prepare for your first coaching session?

There are a number of ways you can prepare for your first business coaching session to get the most out of it:

• Identify your goals
• Know what you want to achieve
• Being open to feedback and new perspectives. 

Preparation is a vital step toward taking control of your future success in business.

In this article, we’ll explore preparing for your first business coaching session so you can start with absolute confidence. From understanding your own objectives to researching your coach’s background, we will delve into various strategies to ensure that you’re well-prepared and ready to make the most out of this transformative experience. 

Whether you have launched your first startup or you’re an experienced business owner looking to scale, these insights will provide you with the tools you need to excel.

Choose the right coach

By this point, you should have already chosen the right business coach. You want to be sure they have had business experiences themselves (and no, being a self-employed coach is not the same as owning your own business). Check what they have done outside of coaching to see if it’s a good fit with your business direction.

Research Your Coach’s Background

Take time to research your coach’s background, expertise and coaching style. Read reviews, ask for references, and consider scheduling a preliminary call to ensure that their approach aligns with your needs and expectations.

A Detailed Explanation of Preparing for Your First Business Coaching Session

While all business coaching sessions have a framework, every session will be unique to you.  A great business coach will be able to modify the standard template to fit your exact needs, plus there is your own unique input that makes the bulk of your session. When you have the groundwork done in advance then you cut straight to the chase and get started on new and improved business strategies, processes, systems and communications to save you time and boost your profits.

#1 Identify Your Goals

Before heading into your first business coaching session, know what you want to achieve. This may be something you have set out to do and want help getting there quickly, or maybe it’s something elusive, and you don’t know why it’s not working or how to gain traction.

If you haven’t looked into SMART goals before, this blog is a great introduction.

As I said, every business will be unique and it should be related to why you started your business in the first place, but here are some common goals business coaches help work towards:

• Growing your business
• Improve leadership skills
• Increasing your business reach
• Having a well-known brand
• Overcome specific challenges
• Reaching a certain profit figure
• Helping X many people change their lives

By identifying your goals, you can communicate them clearly to your coach so they can help you get there faster.

What if you don’t know what your goals are?

If your goals are foggy you won’t see any great business results at all. So your coach will make it a priority to help you define what you want, and maybe even define if this is the right business for you to be in in the first place.

#2 Prepare Questions and Gather Materials

Coming to the session with thoughtful questions and relevant materials, such as business plans or performance data, can make your time with the coach more valuable. Consider what you’d like to know, and gather any documents that might be useful to highlight what your direction is or what you want to be reaching toward.

#3 Be Open to Feedback

A business coach will likely provide candid feedback and fresh perspectives. Be open to this feedback, even if it (especially if it) challenges your current ways of thinking. It’s essential that you be willing to try something new to reach your goals. This one comes back to choosing the right business coach.

You want to be sure you can trust their judgment so you are not taking a big risk by listening to what they say, but also make sure they are not phrasing things in a way that gets your back up. You want to find a coach whose suggestions and insights you can embrace so you can get to making those necessary changes.

Here’s everything else you need to know about preparing for a successful business coaching session, including related questions you might have or additional headings that will give you a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Understanding the Business Coaching Process

Knowing what to expect from the coaching process can ease any apprehensions and enable you to engage more effectively. Business coaching often involves:

Assessment: This stage includes identifying the needs, challenges and objectives your business has.

Goal-Setting: Collaboratively, you and your coach will define clear, achievable goals that are motivating and structured in a way you can see your progress and make additional corrections as you go.

Action Planning: A step-by-step plan will be developed to reach the goals you have agreed to.

Review and Reflection: As you execute your action plan there will be new challenges that come up, some of them related to your business and some of them related to your mindset. Your coach will have regular check-in sessions that give you opportunities to talk about your business changes, what’s working, what’s not and any new tools or skills you need to bring in to get to your goals within the set timeframe.

As well as opportunities for adjustments, these sessions are also important for holding you accountable to your business changes and putting your action steps in place.

Your business coach will be upfront about their coaching structure and what your sessions entail every step of the way. This is their way of making sure that you are both on the same page and that you are aligned in expectations and approaches.

Aligning Expectations with Your Coach

Open communication with your coach is key to a successful coaching relationship. In the initial session expect to:

• Discuss your specific goals and how you see your coach supporting you.
• Clarify the coach’s role and what they expect from you.
• Agree on confidentiality, frequency of meetings and your preferred communication methods.

This alignment with both goals and values sets the tone for a positive and productive partnership, eliminating any misconceptions and strengthening trust.

Building a Personal Development Plan (PDP)

A Personal Development Plan is a roadmap for your growth. Creating a PDP with your coach can be instrumental in achieving your goals.

Again, it’s going to depend a lot on your current business positions and experience and what your goals are, but a typical PDP can include:

Coaching Session: Short-term and long-term goals

Define what you want to achieve in the immediate future and in the long run. These can be both business and personal as often the two will coincide – your business is your life at the moment but maybe it gets too much sometimes…

You don’t only have to have big goals, you can have smaller ones too which can actually be motivating as you work towards your big business goals – like improving your fitness by making a work schedule that includes a workout of some kind.

Your goals might change, so be ready to think outside your business bubble about what direction you really want to go in. It’s surprising how many business owners actually want the opposite of what they are working towards. Your coach is going to be a great sounding board for clearing up internal conflicts and setting you up to actually enjoy what you’re doing.

Coaching Session: Action steps

No goal is achieved overnight. To get the big gains, you’ll need to outline the steps to achieve your goals in increments. Not only does this make even the biggest goal accessible and achievable, but you also have a baseline for how to prioritise your workload each day, a way to communicate to your team, check in on your progress, make corrections and make fast and solid business decisions quickly. 

Timeline

People often overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can do in a year. A coach gives you a line of sight that is accurate and will help you avoid burnout. Your timeline is also a great way to check in on your personal commitment. Is this business something you can do every day for the next two years? It’s a great way to get a read on what’s really important and how to get motivated to see things to the end.

Monitoring and evaluation

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) kind of suck in the corporate world and might have had you running from your nine to five as fast as possible – but as a business owner, you’ll need to keep tabs on your progress and measure success – otherwise, how can you tell how near or far you are to your mark? Feeling unsure? You and your coach can brainstorm ways to make KPIs interesting and relevant to your business to avoid stress and burnout.

This plan provides a clear path forward and keeps both you and your coach accountable for achieving the desired outcomes and setting the stage for a successful and rewarding business coaching experience.

To understand what a tailored business coaching session will mean for you, book a free session to get to know an experienced Evolve to Grow Coach and discuss how we can launch your small business into the big leagues.

How Do I Prepare for My First Coaching Session? – Key Takeaways

Your first business coaching session is a significant step towards professional growth and business success. You’ve taken the time to identify your goals, research your coach, prepare relevant materials and remain open to feedback. By understanding the coaching process, aligning expectations with your coach and building a Personal Development Plan, you are able to set yourself up for a transformational journey that will have you seeing results faster than you could have achieved on your own.

Remember, this is just the beginning. Your willingness to embrace this experience with curiosity and commitment will undoubtedly lead to personal and professional growth and the success that had you eager to cut ties from the rat race and stride out on your own in the first place. 

Keep aiming higher, stay focused and trust the process. Your future success is within reach, and this first session is the starting point for unlocking your potential. Happy coaching!

How Do I Prepare for My First Coaching Session? – FAQs

Q1: What do you do in a first coaching session?

During your inaugural coaching session, the primary objective is to build a strong foundation for your coaching journey. This involves engaging in open and purposeful dialogue with your coach. You’ll explore your goals, aspirations, challenges, and any reservations you might have. Your coach will listen attentively, ask probing questions, and guide you through introspective exercises to unearth areas for growth. By the end of this session, you’ll likely gain insights into your current situation and start setting the stage for your coaching path ahead.

Q2: How long should a first coaching session last?

The duration of the initial coaching session can vary based on your coach’s approach and the nature of the discussion. Typically, these sessions span from 60 to 90 minutes. This extended timeframe allows for a comprehensive exploration of your objectives and challenges. The longer session duration ensures both you and your coach have ample time to delve into meaningful conversations and lay the groundwork for a productive coaching alliance.

Q3: How do you structure a coaching session?

Coaching sessions usually follow a structured yet flexible format. They begin with a warm-up, allowing you to settle into the session. Next, you and your coach collaboratively set an agenda for the session. You discuss your progress since the last meeting, address any challenges, and celebrate successes. The core of the session involves diving into specific topics or goals you’ve identified, with your coach employing effective questioning and active listening techniques. Towards the end, you summarise key takeaways and co-create action steps for your next steps.

Q4: How do you prepare yourself before starting the coaching session?

Prior to embarking on a coaching session, both you and your coach engage in preparations. As a coachee, it’s beneficial to take a moment for self-reflection. Consider your goals, challenges, and any insights gained since the last session. Jot down questions or topics you’d like to explore. Likewise, your coach prepares by reviewing your progress and setting an intention for the session. This dual preparation ensures that the time spent together is focused, impactful, and aligned with your developmental needs.

Q5: What does a successful coaching session look like?

A fruitful coaching session is marked by several indicators. Firstly, it involves a sense of mutual trust and respect between you and your coach. Throughout the session, meaningful insights emerge, helping you gain a deeper understanding of your goals and challenges. Effective communication and active engagement create a dynamic dialogue that fosters growth. By the session’s end, you should have actionable takeaways and a clear direction for your next steps. Remember, while immediate transformation may not occur, the cumulative impact of successful coaching sessions becomes evident as you progress along your journey.