How to establish a good contact with the client of a business coach? - 5 golden rules

Establishing perfect contact with the client from the very beginning of coaching makes it possible to work effectively for both people: both for the client, who is most often the president or manager, as well as the trainer. Of course, a coach is responsible for establishing contact. It is his or her responsibility to direct the conversation during the first meetings. Establishing contact with the client by a trainer who really knows his or her job should be carried out through specific phases:

1)Zero phase

This is the phase when the trainer and the customer have not yet established contact. It is a state in which there is no relationship between two people or it has been broken. At the same time, it is a state that does not provide any basis for entering or continuing a working relationship.

2)Basic social contact

In this case, we have to respect the conventions and the basic principles of courtesy, which are socially recognised. When we look at the trainer talking to the client in this phase, we will notice a polite conversation. During its duration, the client answers questions asked by a coach. This kind of contact usually takes place in the initial phase of the meeting, which is of a familiarizing nature. The trainer and the customer meet for the first time.

It can also take place at the very beginning of subsequent sessions. If the customer does not feel safe, he will not want to proceed to the next phase. What's more, a coach may also not want this if he or she is a risk averse. What strongly distinguishes a trainer just starting out from a trainer who is already experienced is precisely the inability to go beyond this phase.

3)Relationships based on the process

At this level of contact, coaching participates in agreeing on the general principles of the process to take place. The trainer is considered by the client as an expert. The whole contact is based on the respect that the client gives not only to the trainer himself, but also to the methods and techniques used by him.

4)Relationships based on professional skills

This is the phase in which the trainer is trusted by the client. There is a deep understanding between the trainer and the client. The client has faith not only in the process, but also in the person of the trainer. This is an approach in which the trainer can work out some changes in his client.