Being coached is a unique and powerful experience, but it’s different from therapy, consulting, or mentoring. To help a new coachee get the most out of it, I’d emphasize the following points:

Here’s what I’d tell a new coachee about how to be coached:

“Welcome! I’m really excited to embark on this journey with you. To make sure you get the absolute most out of our time together, here are a few things to keep in mind about how coaching works and what will help you succeed:

1. Coaching is About YOU and Your Agenda: This is your space. You’re in the driver’s seat. Our sessions will be focused entirely on your goals, challenges, and what you want to achieve. Come prepared with a topic or an outcome you’d like to work on. If you’re not sure, we can figure it out together, but the more you bring to the table, the more impactful our sessions will be.
2. It’s Not Advice-Giving: My role isn’t to tell you what to do, solve your problems for you, or give you advice. Instead, I’ll be asking powerful questions, actively listening, and offering observations to help you uncover your own insights, solutions, and strategies. You are the expert in your own life.
3. Be Open, Honest, and Vulnerable (to the extent you’re comfortable): The more authentic you are, the deeper we can go. There’s no judgment here – this is a safe, confidential space. If something feels challenging to discuss, or if you’re not sure about a question, just say so.
4. Embrace Reflection and Self-Discovery: A lot of the work happens between sessions. I’ll often give you ‘homework’ or actions to consider. This isn’t busywork; it’s designed to prompt your thinking, encourage experimentation, and solidify your learning. The more you reflect on what we discuss, and on your experiences outside of our sessions, the more breakthroughs you’ll have.
5. Be Prepared to Take Action: Coaching is about moving forward. We’ll identify clear, actionable steps you can take. My job is to support and challenge you, and your job is to commit to taking those steps, even if they feel a little uncomfortable. Growth happens outside our comfort zones.
6. Trust the Process (and the Silence): Sometimes, after I ask a question, there might be silence. Don’t feel pressured to fill it. That’s your time to think, process, and connect with your own thoughts. It’s often where the real insights emerge.
7. Give Me Feedback: This is a partnership. If something isn’t working for you, if you want me to approach something differently, or if you feel a particular question isn’t helpful, please tell me! My goal is to serve you best, and your feedback helps me do that.
8. Be Present: During our sessions, try to minimize distractions. Find a quiet space where you can focus entirely on our conversation.
9. Celebrate Your Wins: Big or small, acknowledge your progress! This helps build momentum and reinforce positive change.

Remember, my role is to empower you to unlock your full potential and achieve what truly matters to you. I’m here to champion you, challenge you when needed, and hold you accountable to your own aspirations. I’m excited to see what you discover and accomplish!”