People learn in different ways. Coaches need to adapt their coaching style to suit the client. Here is some useful advice from our coaching expert.
Not every type of coaching program will work for everyone. Each individual learns differently, so tailoring your coaching method to each client’s needs will help make their learning more effective and the results of your coaching far greater.
Follow these three steps to determine the best coaching method for your clients.
Step 1. Determine the client’s learning style
There are three key learning styles visual, auditory and physical. Visual learners need to see something in action, such as a demonstration, slides, text or diagrams. Auditory learners like to hear what youre talking about, such as on recordings or webinars. Physical learners do best when they actually write something down or act it out.
Ask your clients what they like best. What type of training have they done in the past that they enjoyed most? Why? If possible, have them give you an example of a program they learned a lot from. What were the key elements of that training?
Step 2. Design a program that will work best for different styles
Learning results are most effective when you use more than one approach. Each one builds on the other and reinforces what was learned. For example, a video series should always be accompanied by the audio files and transcripts for people who would rather read the content or listen at their leisure.
In addition, since youre probably not creating a new coaching program for each person, youll need to cater to several learning styles at once. Make sure you have something for everyone.
Everyones results will be the most effective if they actually apply what theyve learning in the real world. Find opportunities for your clients to put what they learn into practice themselves, even if it is a case study or hypothetical scenario.
Step 3. Check in regularly and adjust as needed
The first coaching program you design will probably not be ideal, but getting regular feedback and making adjustments will help you continuously improve. Check in with clients regularly and ask them what is and isnt working. What would they like to see more of? What aspects have not been helpful?
If revisions to your coaching program are outside the scope of what you originally promised, you might need to adjust the price. You could give an additional price quote for extra services, or refer people to additional resources if necessary. You might even offer different levels of coaching for those with varying needs. This is easy to do if you have set clear expectations.
Dont be afraid to get feedback from your clients just because it might be negative. Forcing your own method of coaching onto a client won’t work if they have a different way of learning. Youll have to uncover their learning styles, find out what is and isnt working, and adjust your own method to get the best results.