You're pressed for time in coaching sessions. How can you achieve top-notch results?

Feeling the time crunch, coach? Here's how to maximize those precious minutes: Pre-Session Power Up: Have clients arrive with specific goals or challenges. Focused discussions lead to faster breakthroughs. Laser-Sharp Questions: Cut through fluff with targeted questions that spark deep reflection and action-oriented solutions. Actionable Take-Aways: Wrap up with clear, achievable next steps to keep momentum going after the session ends. Remember, effective coaching is quality over quantity. You're a time-ninja, not a time-waster! Now, high-five your client (or bump fists if high-fives aren't their thing) and watch them conquer their goals with the speed of a cheetah and the focus of a goldfish staring at a shiny nickel.

When i'm in this situation. I communicate with the client that the session is almost over and ask what they want with the time left.

When time is tight, which is happening often, it's crucial to help the client focus solely on the session. I invite them to set aside other commitments and understand that coaching time is dedicated to themselves, to pausing and reflecting. As a coach, I support my clients in clarifying their goals and visualizing the desired achievement. Often, they already possess the resources to manage their time effectively.

One thing I’ve found useful is to “stay outside of the well” that the coachee is in. The next most important thing to make the most of the limited coaching time is to avoid going into details about the situation, philosophising about the situation or the people and stay absolutely focussed on leading the coachee to identify the potential actions to solve their situation and move towards their goals.

Ideally clients come prepared. I coach a lot of 30 minutes sessions and its a push sometimes. Trying to be not too directive, you can offer perspective and provide a form of direction but still let the client decide. You have to be super focused, and have less time to assess the situation. Always add value, however short the session will be.

Establishing the coach agreement is a huge part of powerful coaching. Many coaches think that you got to get to the agreement so you can start the real coaching.. The agreement is the coaching. Coach your client right out of the gate and remember to deepen the awareness. Don't wait to go deep until you get a coaching agreement.

Streamlining processes in coaching sessions can help by maximizing efficiency and focusing on high-impact activities. By implementing structured frameworks, prioritizing key issues, and utilizing tools for seamless communication, you can make the most of limited time and deliver valuable insights. This is going to ensure that sessions remain productive and goal-oriented, driving meaningful progress for your clients.

I have a clear plan for each coaching session, but sometimes new things come up. Start with the end in mind, how does the current situation influence that end goal? Communicate clearly, take the coaching client on the journey for more clarity and confidence.

I began my formal executive coaching journey by following a clear structure for every coaching conversation and also for the entire coaching period with my senior and partner level coachees. My typical coaching session beings with a recap by the coachee of our previous session, what they would like to discuss in the current coaching session, then majority of the coaching time focussed on GROW style questions and finally wrapping up with a summary of the session by the coachee, quick feedback on how they felt about the session and finally a summary of action items and an agreement on the next coaching schedule. My first coaching session typically relies heavily on the ‘wheel of life’ based goal setting with the coachee.

I always plan the session in advance. This allows me to focus on the client's objectives and for the client to be able to take away a concrete solution to be able to work on it and find the change he is looking for.

To achieve top-notch results in time-pressed coaching sessions, use these three active listening strategies: Focused Paraphrasing: Briefly reflect the speaker's key points to confirm understanding and keep the conversation on track. For example, "You’re concerned about meeting deadlines. Is that correct?" Targeted Open-Ended Questions: Ask concise questions that encourage detailed responses. For instance, "What specific challenges are you facing with the project?" Empathetic Acknowledgment: Quickly validate the speaker’s feelings to build rapport and trust. For example, "I understand this situation is frustrating. Let's find a solution together."

Active listening is an important skill to have when coaching as you can understand your clients problems, if there is a recurring theme and also help to keep your session on track if it’s digressing too much. Active listening also shows to your clients that you are taking on board what they say and also letting them lead the sessions.

Combining powerful questioning with both active listening and actionable feedback is the path that results in effective time pressed coaching. Being the driver of the coaching session, the coachee needs to flow with the coach smoothly in this path. Otherwise, a straightforward question needs to be addressed to the coachee, what do you want to reach in the coming ——— minutes? What will make you satisfied. Then the coach proceeds

I believe that active listening is a powerful tool that allows you to pay attention in order to get more information, delve into other points of view, and work in cooperation with your client. Active listening, used efficiently, generates trust, empathy, and security. If you know how to use it, it can be a great ally in your coaching sessions to obtain better results.

Examples of powerful questions are: What am I pretending not to notice about my role in this situation? Why would a reasonable and rational pers behave like this? What is the story I’m telling myself about this situation? If I wanted to move forward in this situation what is the next thing I would do?

Powerful questions are ones that have clients go deeper and evoke greater awareness. Here are some masterful questions What are you realizing about yourself? What makes this topic important for you? What actions do you feel you need to commit to? What still needs to be said that hasn't been said? What are you feeling right now? What is the new awareness that you're having?

Powerful questions are going to quickly uncovering core issues and facilitating deeper insights. These questions encourage clients to reflect critically and prioritize their goals, leading to more focused and effective discussions. This approach ensures that even brief sessions drive significant progress and meaningful outcomes.

Assertive and powerful questions make your session efficient and effective when it comes to achieving the results your client aspires to achieve. Examples of them: How do you feel about this situation that brings you to the session? Why is this situation important to you? What actions should you take from what was discussed, in order to be able to resolve the problem you are raising? How would you like to feel in the near future?

An example of what I’ve seen work very well especially in my coaching with senior professionals is the ability to pinpoint and share feedback which perhaps others have not clearly communicated to them through sheer inability to engage in authentic conversations for fear of perhaps hurting the feelings of the coachee. To be able to do this in a safe way and with an intention to support the coachee marks a fundamental turning point for the coachee where they are able to confront the reality, acknowledge it, own it, find solutions and start actioning.

Super important. I always summarise all coaching calls and follow up with actionable insights, some 'homework' or self-study. Always add value, always offer feedback, and make sure it takes the client closer to their end goal.

Offering actionable feedback is crucial when sessions are brief. Ensure your feedback is concise, specific, and constructive, guiding your client toward clear steps they can take immediately after the session. This approach helps clients make progress between sessions, maximizing the time they have with you and enabling independent growth.

Always provide your client with actionable feedback, as the coaching call isn’t going to solve the problem then and there, you’re providing them with the tools to take away and implement after the call. Providing this feedback helps show that you’re providing a service, you’re serving and not just selling. Actionable feedback helps them to take action as you are giving them a blueprint of what to do next and ensures that they get the most from your session.

To achieve top-notch results in coaching sessions when pressed for time, prioritize efficiency by focusing on the most critical issues and setting clear, concise objectives for each session. Prepare in advance, gathering necessary information and tools to streamline discussions. Utilize a structured agenda to stay on track, and employ targeted questions to quickly uncover key insights and areas for improvement. Encourage actionable takeaways and establish follow-up plans to ensure progress continues between sessions. By maintaining a sharp focus and maximizing every minute, you can deliver impactful coaching even within tight time constraints.

The very fact that you are pressed on coaching session can and will influence the session. My advice is not to rush anything. Is better to reschedule if possible. If the session is held, then focus on ONE single topic. For the coach: make a small exercise and breathe in/breathe out and try to be present and lower the pressure of time passing.

Sempre fui flexível com o tempo de sessão acreditando que todas as dicas partilhadas a tornam eficaz e eficiente. Quando comecei a fazer as minhas sessões com base na metodologia e ferramentas da Jungian Coaching School tornaram-se mais profundas e rápidas. Novos tempos pedem novas abordagens.

"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." – Theophrastus To achieve high-level results under time pressure in coaching sessions, start with a clear coaching contract before the program begins, outlining goals and expectations. Focus on prioritizing key objectives and setting clear, actionable goals. Streamline each session by preparing a concise agenda and sticking to it. Utilize powerful, targeted questions to maximize insights quickly. Encourage accountability and follow-up through brief, focused check-ins between sessions. By maintaining clarity, focus, and efficiency, you can ensure productive outcomes even with limited time.

To achieve the results we aspire to achieve in coaching sessions, you must focus on the client's most urgent problems and establish clear objectives for the session. This will allow you to address the actions necessary to achieve them. As a Coach, you must prepare in advance, gathering the necessary information to carry out the session. Use specific questions to quickly uncover issues and areas for improvement. Establish practical and effective plans to be implemented by your client. Having a structured and focused session becomes efficient in achieving the goals that are expected.