Be sure to record progress

When approaching coaching meetings effectively, especially when they occur on a recurring basis, it is critical to prepare in advance to optimize time and maximize results.

Pre-meeting preparation is essential to establish a solid foundation for the conversation and ensure that all key issues are addressed effectively, and there are certain points to guide you in creating the structure of the meeting.

Have the basic information available: the name of the person you are coaching, the date, the duration of the session and the method of interaction, whether face-to-face, by phone or virtually.

Establish an initial rapport: something that takes place before getting into the core topics of the conversation. This helps create an atmosphere of comfort and openness, allowing for a smooth transition into the main conversation. Think about information, comments or acknowledgements you can share at this point.

Review possible topics to discuss: refers to topics that can be discussed at the meeting. This includes:

• Actions arising from the previous meeting and established goals. By reviewing the previously defined objectives, it makes it easier to focus on what should be prioritized during the conversation. Here it is important to jot down the questions you want to ask to inquire about the status of those objectives and how they have been addressed since the last meeting.

• Observations on the coachee's behavior. It is valuable to review personal notes from the previous meeting, which may include observations about behavior and other relevant details. This helps to contextualize the discussion and provide feedback based on concrete observations.

• Review relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) and numbers. If there are specific metrics that have been established to assess progress, it is critical to review how they are developing and what they can reveal about the trainee's progress toward his or her goals.

• Formulation of new topics to discuss. This may include specific issues that the coach wishes to address or feedback points that are desired to share with the trainee. Preparing appropriate questions related to these topics ensures a focused and productive conversation.

• New and relevant information about the organization or market that needs to be shared with the coachee. This may include changes in the team, department or the organization in general, as well as any other details relevant to the coachee.

• If there are any new projects, tasks or responsibilities, it is critical to note them to address during the meeting. This is an opportunity to delegate new tasks or address emerging opportunities that may be relevant to the coachee's development.

However, it is important to keep in mind that prior preparation should not overload the meeting with an overwhelming amount of information. It is essential to maintain a balance and carefully select the most relevant items to address in the conversation.

Recording Progress

To ensure the quality and relevance of the information we use to prepare for our meetings, it is crucial to keep track of progress since the last meeting.

Keeping a progress log is essential for assessing growth, tracking goals and adjusting strategies as needed. The progress log provides a clear view of accomplishments and challenges throughout the coaching process.

Here we explore the key aspects of recording progress in either personal or team coaching:

• Detailed documentation: keep a detailed record of each coaching session, inclu