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Say What You See w/ Chris Marr

🎥 CCC 002: Redefining accountability in coaching - From enforcement to empowerment

Published about 1 month ago • 4 min read

Hi Coach,

Welcome to this week's edition of Critical Client Conversations.

This email provides a summary of what to expect in the latest episode of our podcast.

It's designed to help you decide if this week's content will be valuable for you and to provide insights and practical strategies even if you don't watch the accompanying video or listen to the podcast.

Let's explore how we can shift from enforcement to empowerment in our coaching practices, fostering true accountability in our clients.

Key Takeaways

  1. Shift from enforcement to empowerment.
  2. Set clear expectations and accountability early.
  3. Empower clients to take ownership of their responsibilities.
  4. Make positive assumptions about your clients' potential.
  5. Have early conversations about time, commitment, and accountability.
  6. Elevate coaching conversations to raise the importance of work.
  7. Ask effective questions to delegate accountability.
  8. Raise the stakes to make tasks more significant for clients.

1. From Enforcement to Empowerment

One of the biggest challenges we face as coaches is the constant worry about whether our clients are getting their work done.

How often do you find yourself chasing clients up or putting them on your to-do list?

This is a clear signal that something isn't right.

It's time to move from enforcement to empowerment.

Quote from the podcast: "We want to go from enforcement to empowerment. It's not just about holding clients accountable, but about fostering their sense of ownership and independence, enabling them to achieve their goals more effectively."

2. Clear Expectations and Accountability

Setting clear expectations early in the coaching relationship is crucial.

By doing so, we can prevent the need to chase clients and instead foster a sense of accountability.

Remember, we're all adults here, and no one wants to be on someone else's to-do list.

Encourage your clients to come to you if they're falling behind so you can work together to create a plan.

Quote from the podcast: "No one wants to be on someone else's to-do list. So here's the deal..."

3. Empowering Independence

Our goal as coaches isn't to do the work for our clients but to empower them to take ownership of their responsibilities.

This fosters a sense of independence and helps them become more accountable over time.

Reflect on where you might be jumping in to do tasks for your clients and consider how you can empower them instead.

Quote from the podcast: "We want to be indispensable while the client feels like they're gaining independence."

4. Positive Assumptions and Growth

It's important to make positive assumptions about your clients.

Most people want to do meaningful work and aren't deliberately trying to miss deadlines.

By believing in their potential, we can create a more positive and productive coaching relationship.

Quote from the podcast: "Most people want to do good work. They aren't deliberately trying to miss deadlines."

5. Establishing Accountability Early

Have an early conversation with your clients about time, commitment, and accountability.

Make sure everyone understands their roles and the importance of accountability.

This sets a strong foundation for your coaching relationship and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Quote from the podcast: "Everybody needs to understand what accountability is from the start."

6. Elevating the Importance of Work

Helping clients see that their priorities are their own fosters a sense of ownership.

Support them in overcoming challenges and setting the conditions for their success.

Elevate your coaching conversations to make the stakes higher and help them see the importance of their work.

Quote from the podcast: "If we can help them see that the priorities they’re working on are their own, they’re going to own it and do better work."

7. Effective Coaching Conversations

Ask the right questions to help your clients plan and overcome obstacles.

Delegate accountability to them, empowering them to take ownership of their progress.

This is the essence of effective coaching – guiding your clients without micromanaging.

Quote from the podcast: "Is there any reason why you wouldn’t get this done? What does support look like for you?"

8. Raising the Stakes

A significant part of our work as coaches is to raise the stakes for our clients, making them see the importance of their tasks.

If your coaching work isn't a priority for them, it's time to have a conversation about its significance and how it impacts their success.

Quote from the podcast: "Raise the stakes so clients see the importance of their work."

Fostering a deeper sense of accountability...

By implementing these strategies, we can transform our coaching approach and foster a deeper sense of accountability in our clients.

Remember, the goal is to empower, not enforce.

This shift will not only reduce our stress but also help our clients achieve their goals more effectively.

For more detailed insights, check out the podcast on your favourite platform:

Let's continue to evolve and grow together as coaches.

🗣️ 👀

Chris

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Say What You See w/ Chris Marr

I’m Chris Marr, and in this newsletter, I’ll help you master the art of communicating confidently, directly, and authoritatively with your clients. You’ll get actionable tips and insights on setting boundaries, managing difficult scenarios, and becoming indispensable to your clients. My goal is to give you the tools to build stronger client relationships, do your best work, and help your clients achieve true transformation.

Chris Marr is the Author of 'Become an Authoritative Coach' and works with established client-facing professionals to help them go from good to great and have more breakthrough conversations with their clients and teams.

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