Where are we going? Are we there yet??

Coaching takes time... and clear communication.

Often, I hear the same concern from new coaches: why does the client who, at first, seemed so eager to get started now seem to have lost interest, or perhaps has even returned to old behaviors? Perhaps, you think, the client isn't "coachable."

Before kicking the client out the door, check to see whether you -- the coach -- and the client are on the same page about your work together. Have you agreed upon a clear focus or goal? Exactly what does your client want to change?  Why have they hired you? What value do they expect to get from your work together? What is so important to them that they are eager and willing to try new approaches?

The International Coach Federation's Definition of Coaching states that the client chooses the coaching focus. But the ICF also says that it's the coach's responsibility to "discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve."  And that means this: do not move into problem-solving mode until both you and the client are crystal clear about where you are going, not only at the start of a coaching relationship but also at the start of each and every coaching conversation.

It's hard to get somewhere when you aren't even sure where you want to go. And if the destination seems more like a mirage or a mystery, you probably don't even want to get in the car!