How can you identify areas where clients need to change?

In m my experience don't tell ... ask ,,,,and you and your client connect and recognize blind spots and clearly adjust to the real world we all have to lean into! Right?? Dj Segovia

There are a few steps that show up client needs help. 1. First I have seen is when I see the client is not following any processes leading to confusion 2. Collection of basic data, many times clients focus more on technology but not the product that is based on the technology 3. Understanding the complete product lifecycle start to end These are clean give aways to show client needs helps!

Asking powerful questions of clients who aren’t stepping into their potential starts with ascertaining what’s in the gap. It’s one thing to identify a goal and to start working towards that goal, but a coach doesn’t take the time to understand what’s prevented a client from already achieving said goal they start from a place of guessing.

In my opinion: 1. Be open-minded about challenges and rely on the information you gather. Avoid starting with predetermined ideas or biases on that could be the issues. 2. Use assessment methods such as interviewing, data collection and processing, analyze the practices and procedures that are in place within the organization. 3. Study the companies in the sector and compare the client's position with that of its competitors. 4. Develop an action strategy that must be approved and implemented by the client. 5. Measure the results of interventions and make changes taking into consideration their success or fail. 6. Conduct a final assessment and identify areas where intervention is still needed.

A couple of powerful questions I like to use in business coaching on the topic of change: "To what extent is your concern about perceptions holding you back?" "If the company culture were not a consideration, what action would you take?" "Walk me through a scenario where you stick with the status quo. What does your business look like in 2 or 3 years?" (Feel free to steal them, but not before you've reflected on them in your own context 🙂)

Assessments are a great tool to open the conversation. They should not be used to draw conclusions though, as is often done. No matter how good the assessment is, there's always a part that's subject to opinion, to ambiguity, to culture.... and a million other things. So yes to assessment tools, as a conversation-starter only.

I prefer to view my clients from a holistic perspective rather than just focusing on assessment tools. I have found that people are intrinsically keen to explore more about themselves when they can resonate with data. I like 16personalities as a generic tool for people to understand more about themselves and how they can best interact with others.

I'm not keen on assessing people because I don't think it's helpful to pigeon hole anyone. I do encourage clients to benchmark where they are now and monitor and gather evidence of how they have changed and grown over time with me. That is so powerful when they come to the inevitable dip of discouragement. It's also very helpful for people to know their default patterns which will crop up time and again.

I don't prefer the assessment tools typically used in business. I think there is value in them to a degree, but they can easily be used as a crutch for "this is just how I am"... rather than promoting growth. I do think understanding one's essence via human design, astrology birth charts, etc. allows for a deeper understanding of one's way of being. This can help a client nurture their true gifts, and understand where there are areas for growth and development. This can help them in both self-discovery and business.

Providing timely and constructive feedback is essential. Through observations and discussions, coaches can offer feedback that highlights clients' strengths, areas for improvement, and blind spots. This feedback helps clients gain awareness of their current behaviors, attitudes, and performance, facilitating identification of areas that require change. Various assessment tools are available to help clients gain insights into their personality traits, communication styles, leadership competencies, or emotional intelligence. These tools provide objective data that clients can use for self-reflection and identify areas where they may need to enhance their skills or adopt new approaches.

I practice I use when creating a safe space for my clients is to show up empty. As coaches, there can be a temptation to have the answers or ask leading questions so our client will get to the solution we are hoping for. When we show up empty, we are more open to possibility and are more able to truly listen to our clients.

Listening in an open way with a compassionate heart is vital here. I let people know I really care. Then they will be honest. Only then can we make the massive breakthroughs they need to get the results in life they desire most.

Building trust with empathy and good listening skill/ body gestures. also putting thought provoking leading questions( what) to help client identify gaps.

A change plan can only be implemented if the awareness has been created, and the propensity TO change is there. A client must reach that point before a change and accountability plan is even discussed.

Change plan, yes. But I navigate what crops up for them as we go because that is where all the past blocks and resistance lies and that is where the successes will come from too.

Change is a conscious process. It is all about creating new neural paths and strengthening. Micro experiments, intentional experience seeking helps a lot in framing the change activity as an adventure and a learning experiment. Your muscles get strengthen irrespective of the outcomes. Encouragement, Planned experiments, review, reflection, acknowledgement and celebrations helps this journey

As I wrote above, a client setting evidence of change, growth, success is vital. The process of growth can feel endless, hard and dark. It's by looking up over the lip of the hole that they will see how far they have come.

Meeting the client where they are at and understanding the challenges they face is vital. We can see the changes they need to make but if we don't see them through the clients eyes it is pointless.