How can you help clients maintain their problem-solving skills after coaching?

In the transformative journey of coaching, I have always been committed to equipping my clients with the essential tools and fostering a mindset for success that extends far beyond our coaching sessions. The foundation of our work together is undoubtedly built during our time together and starts with making them self aware, building their emotional intelligence and thus authentic leadership, and me serving as an accountability partner. The true power of change emerges when clients are equipped with the necessary resources which vary per client and always have to do with working with subconscious mind, using the power of beliefs and daily committent to their desired change, to sustain their growth independently.

My clients can maintain their problem-solving skills after their coaching sessions by consistently practising the strategies they learned during the coaching process. They should regularly review the materials they received, read posted articles and watch videos relating to their needs. By setting regular challenges for themselves, staying proactive in seeking solutions, and reflecting on their experiences to identify areas for improvement, will also enable them to stay alert and updated. Additionally, continuing to seek new knowledge and remaining open to feedback can help them refine their problem-solving abilities over time.

I wouldn't really look at improving problem-solving skills. What I am really empowering my clients to do is to have better decision-making skills, which requires long-term thinking over the short-term. In order to achieve this, coaching shouldn't really be by the hour. One needs to be patient and resilient to making this switch. Once this switch is flipped, there is no going back.

There are two aspects that will enable clients to continue their journey to reliably solve problems on their own: 1) Problem resolution is closely tied to taking action or execution. Taking action, and achieving the desired outcome, will positively reinforce the courage that is often required to find a solution to a particular problem. Additionally, achievements build on each other and help the client to hone into their intuition or gut feeling. 2) Action taking needs to be married with reflection in and on action. Reflection will allow for introspection and self-dialogue with the aim to create a better understanding of self within the context of the situation. Reflection also has a very positive impact on developing intuition.

🤓While the most obvious thing to do, as a coach, is to establish a solid accountability framework with your clients… 🫵You need to get in there with and alongside your client… 🔑Connection and Collaboration are key to Completion! #thriveneversettleforless

I firmly believe in the value of providing clients with curated resources that align with their goals. Books, articles, podcasts and videos can serve as powerful allies in reinforcing their learning. By recommending materials that offer insights, tips, real-world examples, and best practices, I enable clients to continue their growth journey long after our sessions conclude. Understanding that every client is unique, I tailor resource recommendations to their specific needs and objectives. I then identify materials that resonate with their learning style and preferences. This personalized approach ensures that the resources provided are not just generic suggestions but valuable assets that genuinely contribute to their growth.

Assessment and measurement is an important foundation of any coaching program. When I work with clients we measure at the beginning of the coaching, utilising diagnostics to help the person understand, not only their decision-making framework, but the relationship and experiences they have with themselves and others, and the impact of this. When working with teams, I use a team diagnostic that measures the system. From this starting point, I am able to guide my clients towards absolute clarity and certainty so that they create the personal and professional lives they want to live fully in. And for teams, this translates into creating consistent high performance and effectiveness.

During our sessions, we come up with powerful and frequently life changing affirmations. These are assigned as homework. We also work kinethetically as appropriate. Here, clients receive grounding exercises, which assist them is staying centered during future stressful situations.

I totally agree that provide resource is one of the useful ways to help clients maintain their problem-solving skills after coaching. Some of tools or techniques that I can share to enhance problem solving skills: 1. SWOT 2. Problem solving Matrix 3. 5 whys 4. Fishbone diagram 5. Flow charting 6. Gap analysis 7. Improvement roadmap 8. Mind mapping I usually share the clients the articles and best practices on problem-solving, some tips and explain them when we can use the suitable tools or technique to offer insights.

Often my clients come to coaching having read or watched various resources - and I will often add to their list. However, implementing what they read or watch is sometimes where they get stuck and need the coaching to walk them through the steps and add them to their tool box. I love sharing how to use a tool, such as mind-mapping or journaling for those with lots of 'mind clutter' to deal with. There are always wonderful videos or articles to elaborate on a point being made or skill to adopt. Resources, and research, are there to validate and elaborate on the ideas and thoughts that come through during the coaching process.

To ensure that clients stay on course, I always incorporate accountability mechanisms into our coaching relationship. Regular check-ins, goal setting, and progress tracking help clients maintain their motivation and commitment to their growth journey. This structured approach ensures that they remain focused on honing their problem-solving skills. Results differ per person and are plenty. Once I only needed one session (which hardly happens haha) with a client who immediately saw what to work on, had such a motivation to go it, things clicked, she took massive action and her whole world changed! That can happen too, love that!!

In my experience, what clients need particular help with is reflection on responsibility and accountability. Even when they don’t realize it, they tend to put the blame on someone or something else when there is a challenge, and that is unfortunately the best strategy towards dissatisfaction and frustration. Only by acknowledging we are responsible for our actions and our feelings can we come to a sort of “liberation of the mind”, which in turn creates a sense of renewed enthusiasm. Reflecting on what and who we CHOOSE to be every day - regardless of outside influences- is a challenging, yet immensely invigorating, conversation.

Reflection is an essential element in the arc of personal growth and enhancing emotional intelligence. It is equally important to reflect on what went well and learn from it as it is to reflect on what didn't go well and learn from that too. We all know about goal setting, taking action to achieve what we set out to. Reflection is an equally important part of this three part cycle which is a recipe for ever more success!

I love the phrase "if you were watching yourself on TV, what would you be seeing". Giving your clients tools like this means that they can ask themselves that question and get conscious of their thinking, their behaviour and actions. Then they can take ultimate responsibility for it.

- One thing I've found helpful is a journal. No matter what the format of this journal is, it can be a video, a notebook, a blog. We encourage our clients to record their situation before the coaching session. Then update this journal regularly to see their progress. - Let's encourage them to share this reflection with us so we can follow up and encourage them to maintain the problem-solving skills after coaching. For our clients, I also encourage them to share with me and always tells them "I'm still here and ready to hear you whenever you need."

Choosing whom to go to when looking for help, or inspiration, or insight is one of the keys to success. Pursuing input from someone who is negative and doesn't believe in you can undermine your progress, just as going to someone positive who believes in you and will see solutions will buoy your spirit and support you in the pursuit of your dreams and goals!

With some of my time management cohorts where I combine group seminars with 1-on-1 coaching, I suggested they form a buddy group to support each other after the seminars were over. Since the trainees already know and trust eachother, this is a quick and simple way of setting up an effective support network .

Following up with clients can be wonderful for the client and reinforce what's been learned. However, it's important in the last session to create an appropriate container for doing so so that all boundaries are respected.

My commitment to clients extends beyond the formal coaching sessions. I make myself available for questions, guidance, and support as they navigate their personal and professional challenges. This ongoing relationship ensures that they never feel alone on their journey towards sustainable growth.

In addition to reviewing what they have learned and what is in their toolbox, ask clients where they feel they may regress. Set up a plan together to address this before it happens. Schedule a quarterly check-in that specifically ties to reinforcing their tools and mindset shifting work.

With experience you'll evolve how you navigate these issues. I encourage you to try out different things and see what feels most aligned for you and your clients.

Remember we are more than our CVs and current role. There are experiences that we leave at the door because it’s decided it’s not relevant. Your journey and how you got to where you are is relevant. Reflect on your milestones and achievements that are outside of your current profession /role. What did this require of you? How did it add to the rich tapestry of your life? In addition to transferable skills, some of these experiences and achievements built resilience, required creative thinking, or to engage and influence communities. What else? Bring this awareness into the mix, explore how it expanded your worldview.