If you are a student of CTI (Co-Active Training Institute) studying to become a certified Co-Active coach and wondering how to do the best coaching intro call, you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll cover what should be discussed in an intro call, how to structure it, key logistics to consider, and how to follow up with your client.
Everything To Cover In Your Intro Call How to do the best coaching intro call
Structure the Call and Establish the Session Agenda
The first step in structuring an effective intro call is setting clear expectations. Let the client know exactly what to expect from the call. Our Intro sessions at Cottonwood Coaching are 30 minutes and we let our clients know that for the duration of the call, we will be discussing the following details:
1. Understanding what circumstances lead to the client scheduling the call.
2. Discussing what they hope to gain from working with a coach.
3. Explaining your approach to coaching to ensure the fit is right for the client.
4. Addressing the structure and logistics of the coaching relationship, and answering any questions along the way.
5. Planning the next steps and discussing follow-up actions.
Why Your Client is Coming to Coaching
Understand the client's motivation for seeking coaching. Start with open-ended questions to understand their current situation and what prompted them to reach out. Then, and this may seem obvious, listen to them. Give them some room to talk about what they've been going through. Here are some examples:
"What have you been experiencing lately that has you thinking about working with a coach?" "What inspired you to schedule this session?"
These questions help create a foundation for understanding the client's needs and provide a starting point for deeper exploration.
Exploring What Your Client Wants from Coaching
The most important part of the call will be to let your client talk about what they want, both for themselves and from the coaching process, and then, and this may seem obvious again, listen to them. This involves discussing their specific goals and desired outcomes. Consider asking:
- "What do you want for yourself?"
- "How do you see coaching supporting this success?"
- "Initially, what changes do you think need to be made toward this success?"
These questions help the client articulate their objectives and give you a clear target to aim for in your coaching sessions.
Your Approach To Coaching
After hearing what your client wants from coaching and what they want for themselves, if you genuinely think that your services could support them, now is the time to explain how.* You might discuss:
- The Co-Active coaching model and how it guides your practice.
- Any specific techniques or tools you see benefiting the client's progress.
*If you feel coaching isn't the best fit for this client and another type of support might be more beneficial, consider exploring other options with them. Guiding someone toward the right path, even if it’s not with you, is a success. As a coach, focus on improving lives, not just securing clients. Ensuring a good fit benefits both you and the client in the long run.
The Structure and Logistics of Your Coaching Relationship
Explain the structure and logistics of your coaching practice. This includes details such as:
- Session Length: Our sessions are 50-60 minutes.
- Cadence: You might meet weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the client's needs. If you're anticipating providing coaching to a business this may look different depending on their needs for workshops, events, etc..
- Duration: We request a minimum 6-month commitment to ensure prolonged success.
- Pricing: Be transparent about your fees and any payment options available. Our standard rate is $200/session and we offer different payment options for people interested in a discount.
Make sure the client understands these logistics and is comfortable with the commitment involved. Ask if there are any unanswered questions.
Make a Plan for Next Steps and Following Up
Outline Next Steps:
Schedule the first full session.
Send a coaching agreement with terms and policies for them to sign before their next session.
Discuss a follow-up plan.
Plan Follow-Up Actions:
Agree on a timeline for their decision and a preferred follow-up action.
If more time is needed, ask for a preferred timeframe and explain how they can expect to follow up with you.
Request Reflection Time:
Encourage the client to reflect on their decision.
Suggest discussing it with a trusted person (friend, partner, or relative).
Emphasize the value of a support system outside of coaching.
Things to Keep in Mind
Setting The Stage For Success Give your client a heads-up about how to prepare for the intro session. Let them know they should plan to find some privacy and a distraction-free environment and to bring something to write with in case there are things they want to write down like pricing, dates for sessions, or any homework they may get from the intro call they want to remember. NCRW (Naturally Creative, Resourceful, and Whole)
One of the core principles of Co-Active coaching is the belief that clients are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. Approach the call with this mindset, understanding that your role is to help them see their potential and support them in achieving their goals. Remember:
- Empathy: Connect with the idea that your client is capable and resourceful, even if they are struggling to see it.
- Support: Recognize the honor it is to support someone in their journey and be genuinely interested in their success.
Focus on Possibilities, Not Problems
Instead of dwelling on problems and how to solve them, shift the conversation towards exploring what the client wants and what could be possible if they achieve it. Ask questions like:
- "What else would change in your life if you achieved this goal?"
- "What strengths and resources do you already have that can help you?"
- "What small steps can you take right now to move towards your goal?"
Practice Curiosity
Curiosity is a powerful tool in coaching. Use it to dig deeper into the client's goals and desires. Ensure you fully understand what they want from coaching by asking follow-up questions and exploring different aspects of their situation. Examples include:
- "Tell me more about that..."
- "What else is important to you about this?"
- "How does this goal align with your overall vision for your life?"
By practicing curiosity, you can uncover deeper insights and offer more targeted support. The aim is not just to deepen your understanding of the client but to inspire the client to become more curious about themselves, fostering their own self-awareness and growth.
Listening and Self-Management
Active listening is a critical skill in coaching. This involves not only hearing what the client says but also understanding the underlying emotions and motivations. Practice Level 2 and Level 3 listening to fully engage with the client. Additionally, manage your own responses to stay present and focused on the client's needs.
Bring Values to Life and Build Resonance
Helping clients connect their goals with their core values can create powerful motivation. Ask questions to explore their values and how they relate to their goals.
Building resonance around their values can help the client feel more connected to their goals and motivated to take action.
Acknowledge Your Client
Recognizing and validating their experiences, efforts, and aspirations can help build trust and encourage them to share more openly. Empathize with their experience and celebrate the success they want to achieve.
Offer Brief Coaching
Providing a short coaching experience during the intro call can help the client understand what to expect from future sessions. This might involve:
- Exploring a small, immediate goal the client has.
- Using a coaching tool or technique to help them gain insight and identify an immediate action they can take while offering support to hold them accountable.
This brief coaching can give the client a taste of what to expect and help them feel more comfortable with the process.
In Summary
So much intentional thought, and care goes into the Intro Call. If you're new to coaching, it might feel overwhelming, but with time, this process will become second nature. Writing this comprehensive guide reminded me just how much is involved, but soon it will feel natural for you too. If you have questions, need support, or want to see the process in action, don’t hesitate to schedule an intro call with us. We’d be honored to mentor you through your certification and help you feel confident and prepared for your next intro call.
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