The Beginning of the Process and Tuning

The coaching process formally begins with the first meeting between the coachee and you, their coach.

This initial moment is crucial, as it is where mutual attunement is built and trust begins to be built, fundamental pillars for the entire relationship. It is at this moment that your work as a coach really begins.

It is possible that the coachee experiences some anxiety at the idea of this first contact, coming full of fears and insecurities.

For this reason, it is very important that as a coach you have prepared a good first contact interview and present yourself with confidence, demonstrating mastery of the techniques and tools.

Clarifying Fundamental Aspects

This first meeting serves to clarify a series of fundamental aspects that will lay the foundations for the whole process:

• The work scenario is defined.
• Practical details are addressed (logistics, schedules, etc.).
• The coachee's current situation is explored.
• Set the tone for the work to be done together.

Before this meeting, the coachee should ask himself questions such as: What is the purpose of this meeting? What do I want to achieve? What obstacles do I intend to overcome?

Key Objectives of the First Phase

During this first phase (which may involve more than one initial meeting), you as the coach should pursue several objectives to ensure that the process gets off to an effective start:

• Identify the coachee's needs.
• Demonstrate that you understand and appreciate their specific challenges.
• Highlight their strengths and accomplishments.
• Make it clear that you are a responsible and reliable coach, creating comfort and reassurance.
• Establish that you have the necessary preparation and experience.
• Agree on logistics (location, number of sessions, procedures, eva luation, etc.).
• Agree on financial issues.
• Illustrate how coaching can benefit the coachee. It is also vital to know the coachee's level of motivation and to make him/her aware that the process implies personal changes that he/she will have to assume voluntarily.

Essential Tasks and Roles of the Coach

In this first interview, there are three particularly important tasks: explore the coachee's profiles to get a complete picture of his or her life, deepen your biographical profile, and get to know his or her life balance, values and commitment.

In addition, you should clearly specify what your roles will be during the process: offer new opportunities and perspectives, provide coaching expertise, maintain a neutral stance, act as a catalyst for change, and maintain confidentiality.

General Structure and Final Agreement

This initial session is ideally composed of eight fundamental sections to cover: Establishing rapport and trust, managing expectations, assessing the coachee and obtaining information, discovering the most pressing problem, designing the partnership, addressing practical issues, committing to the program, and beginning the process by addressing the most pressing issue.

In turn, this