Discovery Session 101

Each of my coaching engagements begins with what I (and most other coaches) call a Discovery Session. Because every coach handles these sessions a little differently, I’d like to share with you how I do mine.

First, every Discovery Session I do lasts about 60 minutes. I do this because:

1. I want to get to know you and your story.

2. I want to take the time to understand what you want to do.

3. I want you to get a feel for coaching and how I work.

4. I want you to get started on making the changes you want to make—even if you decide coaching with me isn’t a good fit.

And the Discovery Session is free, and you have no obligation to continue. All you risk is your time.

When we meet, I start by getting to know you and what’s bringing you to coaching. We explore your background, as well as the challenges you might be facing.

Then, I take a moment to talk about my coaching approach and my three ground rules:

1. You’re the hero of the conversation. You set the agenda. I follow you.

2. I don’t give advice. Coaching is about your growth, not mine.

3. What you say here stays between us—unless you say something that makes me concerned about your welfare or the welfare of others.

After that, we frame the engagement by exploring four questions:

1. Where do you want to grow?

2. At the end of our time together, where do you want to be?

3. What makes getting there important to you?

4. How will you know you’ve gotten there?

Then, we wrap up with four questions that are the ending ritual to all my coaching conversations:

1. How has this conversation helped you?

2. What might you commit to doing based on what we discussed?

3. How might you keep yourself accountable for doing those things?

4. What’s your big takeaway?

Based on our conversation, I develop a short learning plan that serves as a tentative blueprint for our time together. This blueprint isn’t set in stone, and we will adapt it as we go. But it helps you know how your coaching investment will be helping you.

And it’s yours to keep, regardless of whether you decide to work with me or not.

Sound interesting? Book your free Discovery Session here.