Can I Tell You A Story? The Story Coach Agreement

So I had finished my training and I had earned my qualification and I was ready to set up shop

. I had even practiced my 'elevator speech' so that I could instantly explain to people what I do and they would be mesmerized and want to come to me for coaching straight away!

I never imagined that the first time I would get to tell my elevator speech would actually be in an elevator! I never imagined that when I was asked what I do, that I would not realize that this was the opportunity to say the 4 well-practiced sentences that would guarantee me a client! I never imagined that I could just tell a story and that it might have an even better effect!

So here's what happened. I walked out of the conference during the first break and decided to step outside to get some fresh air. I walked to the elevator and the gentleman who waited beside me introduced himself and asked me where I'm from. As we stepped into the elevator I replied, 'are you going to ask if I come here often too!'. We laughed at the clichs and then I told him my story, how I was born in Ireland, and had traveled a lot, and had finally settled here. I told him the story of how I had arrived at coaching, was working for the company I worked for, how they had sent me to the conference. And then he told me his story. It was an amazing exchange of histories, education, experience and personalities...and yet a fascinating story. Actually it was the start of what I call the Coaching Story Agreement; that we must create with our clients.

Any coaching relationship involves the Coach and the Client coming to an agreement around the nature and the details of the coaching process. One of the ways to achieve that agreement is by telling our story; we do this in our introductory conversations and in our first sessions.

Of course, in order to establish a clear and focused agreement we must think about how our 'story' deals with some very important details of our life and approach. They are:

- Our education, background and experience

- What we bring to the coaching process (tools, methodologies)

- Our outlook, beliefs, value system

- Our coaching style

In addition, it is very important that through our story we manage our client's and our own expectations and that we are clear on the roles of both client and coach. It is also important to tell and clear story in terms of our own limitation and boundaries in the coaching relationship. I'll never forget one of my first clients that would call me any time, day or night, and launch into an absolutely 'urgent' issue. Clearly her urgency matched my mismanaged story of availability and limitations. I am thankful to that client for teaching me to tell a new story about my boundaries in coaching!

When we meet with new or prospective clients, we tell the story that describes how we see our coaching practice. It is through this 'storytelling' that we can determine if we have a suitable match between our own style and methods and the needs of our prospective client.

Then together, the coach and client can create a story that describes their specific coaching agreement, terms and relationship.

by: Lisa Bloom

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