What do you do if your remote executive coaching sessions lack engagement and connection?

As I work with some of the best industry leaders, I take time to map their needs from multiple angles. Professional, personal, impact, wellbeing and so on. This enables them to see the value of the transformation. Through the program, I keep going back to these objectives to ensure the alignment which then translates into meaningful action and powerful transformation.

There is an adage in sales that says "If you're telling, you're not selling." This same concept applies to coaching: If you are doing all of the talking as the coach, something I have been guilty of at times I admit.. ha ha. the engagement with your client is going to drop and the desired outcomes are not going to achieved. One of the best and easiest ways to correct the lack of engagement is to focus on asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer. The questions need to be centered on where your client wants to go, what are their goals, where have been their barriers of success before... and finally.. Who they are as leaders. Making asking great questions your super power.

Realize that "remote" is 100% different than being in the same room face to face with the coach. Our brain is anyhow trying to map the 3D experience to the 2D world which we do see on screen, is already heavily utilized. Therefor my best advise would be to provide smaller chunks to digest - short sessions, with a lot of practical things to do. My second advise would be to 100% focus and use the time only for the session, no emails nothing else. Plan some time before and after to digest the things you learned. Add homework to each session like recording an elevator pitch etc. And for sure utilize High Tech Hardware like Webex Desk Pro, record and summarize the session and have a brilliant experience that will stick.

Assessing needs involves understanding the executive's current challenges, career aspirations, and the skills they need to develop. Gathering insights through self-assessments, feedback from colleagues, and discussions with organizational leaders can help identify specific areas for focus. This foundational step ensures that the coaching process is aligned with both personal and organizational goals, maximizing relevance and impact of the coaching sessions.

If your coaching sessions lack engagement and connection, never mind if they're remote or not, there are only 2 possibilities: 1. You're asking the wrong questions. 2. Your client doesn't want coaching. It's very easy to ask the wrong questions if you are running an agenda that is not aligned with the client. You may think you know what the client needs but the lack of engagement demonstrates you don't. If the client has been enrolled in coaching, it is more than possible that they don't really want it, in which case you're flogging a dead horse. So let go of the outcomes and find out what the need is, if there is one.

I am biased - but a personal hardware device (e.g. the Cisco Desk Pro) is the only way to experience multiple calls in a day. You simply do not get the same one-touch, high quality interaction through a webcam and headset....

Upgrading technology is essential for enhancing remote executive coaching sessions. Invest in reliable and advanced communication tools to facilitate clear, uninterrupted interaction. Utilize platforms that support video calls, screen sharing, and real-time document collaboration to mimic the dynamics of in-person meetings. Additionally, incorporating interactive elements like polls, whiteboards, and breakout rooms can increase engagement and participation. Effective tech upgrades ensure a more interactive, connected, and productive coaching experience.

Rather than upgrading tech, try downgrading it. The last thing some clients need is more time sitting in front of their computers on ZOOM. If you're in the same area, try going for a hike while you coach. If you're not close enough to do that, you can still both throw on your pods/headset and go for a walk while you're doing the coaching session. Getting out into nature and away from the constant pings and dings of notifications might help your client to reconnect to themself and be better positioned to then connect with you as their coach!

In addition to pure technology upgrade, in my experience upgrading room, lighting and acoustics are key factors to improve remote coaching experience. Modern AI powered purpose built video devices can significantly improve the user experience and compensate also gaps in lighting and acoustics.

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In this situation, and with permission, I solicit my coachee and share what I'm experiencing. For example, "May I share an observation? I get the sense that our sessions may not be attaining the goals we set. What is your take on this?" From this two way dialogue, our conversation will provide deeper insight for me to explore what will make the greatest difference for my coachee. Perhaps the coachee wants more visual aids, component business models, or role-playing. Whatever surfaces will help make sessions more engaging and interactive.

Enhancing personal connections in remote coaching also means recognizing and celebrating milestones, both professional and personal. Tailor your communication style and tools to suit the client’s preferences - whether that means using more visual aids for visual learners or incorporating more dialogue for those who express themselves best through conversation. A custom approach not only deepens engagement but also demonstrates your commitment to their unique development journey, fostering a stronger coach-client relationship.

I get to know my clients insight out and so often times such personal stories or matters are shared that enable me to get to know them at another level. I celebrate my clients, I share valuable resources, I make posts about them and for them and share that with them. They matter to me and so that's the least I can do to add persona touch.

If your coaching lacks a personal touch, get another job, or get yourself another coach. Coaching is the connection of the coachee with their best self, with the accelerated experience that they don’t yet have and a chance for them to try out the person they are becoming. So the personal touch for me focuses on the client, helping them unmask within the session and prepare themselves for the future. I often ask unprepared clients if there is something that they want to get rid of before we start. Anything they just want to say out loud which is not part of the work that they want to do.

A strong follow-up strategy is the beat that keeps the rhythm going. It's all about preserving the momentum gained from our coaching sessions so that growth can continue to flourish. We plan these check-ins as friendly checkpoints along the way; when we can talk about how things are going and handle any new challenges together. By remaining connected and involved, we are not just confirming what has been spoken; we are also cultivating a partnership centered on their success. This persistent follow-up is the heartbeat of our dedication to their development, forming a bond of trust and comprehension between us.

During the coaching agreement at the start of the coaching relationship, plan for feedback and reflection sessions. Having those be an active part of your practice creates space for these conversations. It also shows the client that this is meant to be a fluid, iterative process. It'll help create a sense of openness from the start.

If the boat is broken, it must be mended. Having said so, if the coaching is lacking engagement and connection, it is highlighting that we need to reassess our approach. having assessed we need to then - Initiate open discussion on the the issue with the client, understanding any challenges they are encountering. - Enhance the content on interactive elements like breakout discussions, polls, or multimedia content to make it more engaging. - Foster a supportive and inclusive atmosphere during the interaction, actively listening to concerns and providing personalized guidance. - Analyse and prioritizing communication and incorporate flexibility in learning.

1. Interactive Techniques: Integrate interactive exercises to keep participants engaged and active. 2. Personalized Approach: Tailor sessions to individual needs, fostering a more personal connection. 3. Visual Aids: Use compelling visuals to enhance understanding and maintain interest. 4. Dynamic Content: Rotate topics and formats to keep sessions fresh and relevant. 5. Feedback Loop: Encourage open communication, seeking feedback to continuously improve session engagement.