Not everyone is ready for coaching…yet, and THAT’S OKAY. The right fit for coaching is a delicate mix of client readiness and coach/client matching.
In corporate settings, companies often hire us to coach a selected cadre of leaders. While we feel fortunate to create good relationships with the individuals, we’ve seen some clients coming into the first coaching sessions rather defensive. They are more interested in building walls than bridges.
Other times, self-pay clients feel obligated to try coaching based on a recommendation. But that doesn’t mean they are truly ready either.
We don’t fault these clients for it. This can be tied to trust issues, personal perceptions, and more. Everyone needs different things to feel safe in sharing their most personal challenges.
Coaching requires an open mind, and a partnership where the client understands they will be doing real work. This doesn’t mean there is something wrong or unfixable about the client – it’s just a recognition that growth continues beyond the degrees and new jobs.
ADHD coaching is much the same as executive coaching. If you have an open mind and a desire to grow and change, you’ll be a good fit for coaching.
Ways to Prepare for a Coaching Engagement
Acknowledge a Challenge to Discuss with the Coach
Coaching can help clients breakthrough mental barriers and address leadership challenges. But this can only begin when the client acknowledges the challenge exists. It’s not a flaw to identify challenges. In fact, it shows greater emotional intelligence and executive presence when leaders can minimize their blind spots to see what stands in their way.
Build Psychological Safety with All Parties
This is a biggie. Psychological safety takes effort on everyone in the coaching dynamic. If your corporate team provides coaching, get to know what boundaries are in place. Is the coach obligated to share certain information with your manager or HR? Will the coaching be focused on specific work dynamics, or will you be welcome (or encouraged) to explore the intersections with other parts of your life? Build psychological safety on trust. Do you trust your manager, trust the people coordinating the coaching program, trust the coach themselves? If you answered no to any of these, explore that, and see what could repair that trust, or how you can seek out coaching without the support of those who don’t have your trust.
Own it. Commit to Doing the Work
Coaching isn’t something that simply happens to a client. It actively involves the client! To prepare for coaching, figure out if you have the time to dedicate to both the coaching sessions, and time between sessions to implement changes, and reflect on certain details discussed on the leadership challenge.
The most transformative coaching experiences take place when clients are fully ready to engage in coaching and commit to putting in the time and effort, inside and outside of the sessions.
Interested? Reach out!
Not sure if you’re the right fit for coaching…yet? There are so many incredible resources for adults with ADHD. Follow us on Instagram, enroll in Lead with ADHD, or subscribe to our newsletter. When you are ready, reach out regarding 1:1 coaching!
