Your coachee doubts the value of coaching. How can you guide them towards seeing its benefits?

With over 4 million online coaches around, people naturally are becoming reluctant about coaching in general. This is understandable because the majority of these coaches aren’t professionally educated and there aren’t any regulations. A lot of people have made bad first experiences and don’t try again which is sad as professional coaching is a true game changer.

The simple answer is to provide testimonials. But in truth, this could be counter productive and shallow. Find out what your client values and have them imagine where they could be. Remember, we all had different doubts when we first began our improvement journeys- But the phrase "trust the process" is one we can all relate to. Begin to break down the goals to smaller and smaller increments. Small enough so the client can see tangible results for themselves. This way, they don't need to trust the process, they just need to trust you. Once measurable results arise, recognize them and praise them. In doing so, you'll find your client begin to convince themselves!

“You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink.” Have conversations and find where their resist is coming. Trying new thing is not comfortable, especially they had bad experience before. Simply have dialogues and analyze what’s stopping them, and build strategy how to approach them accordingly. I know it’s not easy thing to do. But their benefits will be massive if you can take a right approach. This came from my personal experience.

I will guide them by sharing success stories and highlighting tangible outcomes from previous clients. I focus on their specific goals and how coaching can help achieve them. By setting small, measurable milestones and celebrating early wins, I demonstrate the practical benefits and effectiveness of the coaching process.

One of the most powerful aspects of coaching is its ability to transform doubts into actionable insights through goal setting. By collaboratively establishing clear, measurable goals, coachees can tangibly see their progress and the value of coaching. This process not only builds confidence but also fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, which are critical for sustained professional growth. Sharing real-life success stories and engaging in reflective practice further solidify the benefits, making the abstract concept of coaching concrete and impactful.

Teaching approach will come to a bottom of list to take especially someone is avoiding accepting ideas and approach. Keep dialogue, then I would approach with sharing success stories who have and demonstrate strong “Ownership” and worked on challenges.

Reflective practice is a powerful tool in coaching that can help coachees see the tangible benefits of the process. By encouraging coachees to regularly reflect on their experiences, challenges, and growth, they can gain deeper insights into their progress and the value of coaching. This practice not only enhances self-awareness but also reinforces the coachee's commitment to their developmental journey, making the benefits of coaching more evident and impactful.

“Can I give you feedback?” “Do you mind if I share my feedback with you?” I always ask these question before I share feedback with anyone. Of course, I share feedback only when they say “yes.” I found adding this process is very helpful because people who said “Yes” are ready to hear something from me. This readiness at feedback receiver side makes big difference in feedback conversion.

Ongoing support is crucial in coaching as it helps to solidify the coachee's progress and ensures sustained growth. By providing continuous encouragement and resources, you can help the coachee overcome doubts and recognize the long-term benefits of coaching. Regular check-ins and follow-ups can reinforce the value of the coaching process, making it easier for the coachee to see tangible improvements in their career and personal development.

Serve them powerfully - that's your one role. If they doubt the value you haven't provided them with enough. Simple, not easy.