Successful coaching requires that the coachee is actively engaged in the coaching process. Below are 9 basic tips to keep in mind as you work with your coach.

  1. Commit to Learning – Your coach is investing a considerable amount of time and energy to help you succeed. It is imperative that you put yourself in a frame of mind to learn quickly and enthusiastically.
  2. Trust Your Mentor – Time spent with your coach is an individualized, on the job learning experience. This means that you can feel comfortable asking questions, seeking direction, or admitting that you don’t know something.
  3. Be an Active Listener – Make a concentrated effort to actually hear and internalize what your coach is saying. Give him/her your full attention and avoid the urge to interrupt. Listen for key points while watching for non-verbal clues, and stay attuned to underlying messages.
  4. Ask Questions – Asking questions is key to learning quickly. It provides you with more information and helps build strong working connections. Be certain that your questions relate to the topic at hand, are sincere and honest, and are a form of inquiry and not a veiled attempt to disagree or argue. The goals here are to gain competence, make improvements, and boost your sense of empowerment and in order to do so, it’s important to receive honest and straightforward feedback.
  5. Stay Positive and Motivated – Know that working together with your coach can help you accomplish positive things for yourself. Coaching is your pathway to building competence, overcoming frustrations, and becoming a productive contributor.
  6. Set Personal Goals – While working with your coach set personal development goals. You should think about your role and what you need to learn and then identify personal growth objectives that will indicate your success.
  7. Be A Pro-Active Coachee – This means that you must be a pro-active learner. Stay open to new challenges, be willing to change and adapt, and take responsibility for your actions.
  8. Express Yourself – Be yourself, don’t attempt to play a role or be someone you aren’t. Don’t claim you understand something when you don’t. Remember, everyone learns differently and at different speeds.
  9. Be Curious and Introspective – Curiosity is at the heart of growth so probe, inquire, and challenge. As you move through your coaching sessions take the time necessary to look inward and be honest about what you see.