When coaches complain to me about clients "flaking out" on their assignments, or coming to sessions without "coachable issues," the first thing I ask is whether they use a Session Prep Form. Clients can falter on homework for any number of reasons - sometimes important or fundamental ones like not being ready for coaching, concern over money, abandonment of their goals, feeling discouraged or shifting priorities. Often, though, clients fail to complete assignments simply because they don't know how much they would benefit from an accountability structure.
Whether you use someone else's Prep Form as a template or create one from scratch doesn't really matter - don't get hung up on cosmetics. The important things are that the client completes it regularly, and that he or she provides you the same information each time. Every form is a little different, but most coaches ask questions which help them understand:
- The client's progress relative to their agenda, both on the macro and the day-to-day level
- What's working and what's not (are your assignments getting the job done?)
- What the client might want to focus on during upcoming session(s)
Completing this form weekly:
- Provides the coach with a concise summary of the client's progress and a springboard for the session - saving valuable time during the session
- Supplies the client with an historical record of their progress over time, which is also useful to the coach when preparing for completion
- Avoids the all-too-common "what have I accomplished in the last ____ months of coaching?" that can plague a coaching relationship mid-program
- Helps the client synthesize their learning at regular intervals, bringing to light progress, opportunities, obstacles, and areas of focus for future sessions
This last point is crucial, since it gives you the information you need to beeline to the heart of the matter, consistently and right at the top of the call.
Of coaches that offer prep forms, many make them optional - after all, it mostly benefits the client. And a number of clients struggle when it comes to filling them out consistently.
Because of this, I make a point to discuss this document while designing the alliance with each client. While I don't require clients to complete one every week, I find that explaining the purpose, benefits and importance of this form, early in the coaching relationship, creates internal motivation to submit it regularly. Often, the simple act of looking at their goals and progress each week helps keep clients on track with their agendas.
Remember: your clients come to coaching for change. And most of them understand that meaningful change requires shifts in both being and doing. You can help diminish "flaking out" and better support their journeys by offering them evidence of their progress.
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