How can you balance your coaching goals with your client's performance goals?

I have no coaching goals. The client's goals are the engagement goals. That would include the perspective of the stakeholders/sponsors in the case of corporate-sponsored executive coaching. Yes, understand the client needs. But don't be restricted by them. Help them think big, set #audaciousgoals. Aligned with their life, potential, north star. While exploring strengths/weaknesses, etc., it helps to remember that the client is not binary but much deeper.

An exploratory conversation sets the scene nicely. Here you are looking for chemistry (and what your gut says), have you understood each other clearly and do you like each other's communication style. This is an extremely important and useful part of a successful coaching programme going forward.

Clarity in your communication styles and tones is important to start with. If you set this correctly then the sessions should progress well. I like to see coaching as a two way process, so whilst you are helping the client, they can also share with you what they like in your approach and what is working well for them. Its good to check in with the client about this specifically, at least half way through the programme as well as at the end.

In my experience, I sometimes get my client to think of someone they admire. We then explore that person's achievements and their path to success. Even if we don't know it, I get my client to sometimes imagine what that journey would have entailed. Afterwards, I find the client is more receptive and open to trying out different things. Its a good exercise to bring clarity to a situation and persuade the client to take the necessary steps that they need to but are fearful or avoiding to take.

One thing I have found helpful is to say at the start of the coaching programme that while the overall goal is to achieve the outcome, there may be the odd occasion when something happens and that becomes a focus point for a session. This manages expectations and allows for flexibility and adaptability leaving all parties clear and satisfied.

A cada segundo as coisas mudam. é ingenuidade achar que um plano de desenvolvimento engessado trará resultado. é essencial a avalia??o periódica e ouso dizer que a velocidade desta avalia??o deve ser tratada com o cliente, olhando-se para a din?mica de sua vivência.

When giving feedback, both positive and for area's of improvement it will be more readily accepted if you can attach an example to it. This makes the feedback more plausible, credible and easier to take for the recipient. They are also more likely to take it less personally.