Coaching across the (digital) waves...

By Sonya Shellard. 

So I've learnt a lot about online coaching over the past couple of months with "lockdown" resulting in all of my coaching taking to the waves and now being delivered via Skype or Zoom (amongst others!). After a rebalance on my board, I have now found my feet and am comfortable doing this as the rule rather than the exception (for the time being at least). So I wanted to share my learning hoping to make the experience more rewarding both for you and your clients...

On-line Coaching Guidelines
How can you get the best results from your online coaching?

Personal Preparation

• Have you done all you need to ensure that you can be truly “present’ during the coaching session? 
• Do you have any resources that you might need during the session close to hand?
• Have you taken steps to ensure that any unnecessary interruptions can be avoided?
• Seek coaching or supervision for yourself if you feel that you are not in the best space to coach and work on meeting your own needs so that you can be in full service of the client

Technical Preparation

• Have you checked that the platform you are using is working and that the connection is good?
• Have you checked that the call will be secure?
• Have you discussed beforehand whether video is to be used?
• What is your back-up plan should internet connection be lost – have you agreed this with your client?
• Have you checked your background is fit for purpose when video is used?
• Is your face positioned clearly in view so that good eye contact can be maintained?
• Is your physical appearance appropriate for your audience?
• Have you chosen “gallery mode” so that you can see yourself and what your client is seeing at the same time?
• Have you prepared anything you want to share, using screen share where available?

• Are you able to make your notes in a way that doesn’t lessen your ability to have a strong visual connection with your client? 
  
  

During the Session

• Be mindful that you may now both be in unfamiliar working environments and this may affect levels of openness, comfort levels and how people relate to each other
• Avoid making any assumptions based on unusual factors such as what they are wearing, what is in their home/working space etc.

• Stay alert to the real-time feedback you get from seeing yourself in gallery mode – check your body language and facial expressions are appropriate
• Don’t be afraid to use creative coaching approaches – people can be very resourceful especially if they have been forewarned about activities that you might like to undertake with them 
• Get feedback from your client on how they are finding the video call and consider using a blended approach of video and audio if this will enhance the experience
• Avoid over-disclosure, as your experiences of an external event may be very different to another person’s and you do not want to contaminate their thinking with your own 
• Listen attentively and provide your client with space to think things through and organise/quieten their minds – how will you settle your client into the session, e.g. 5 minute flush-out, mindful pause etc.? 

Follow-up

• Seek feedback on how they felt the session went and incorporate any suggestions for change that they make