What is a Life Coaching Discovery Call?

Here I discuss the question; What is a life coaching discovery call? I hope to answer your curiosity and help give an understanding so that you get value from a discovery session when you have one.

There are 4 key areas to a discovery session that I will cover in this blog:

• Logistics
• Preparing the client for coaching
• Discovering the client
• Discovering the clients future

Also, let’s not forget that it’s the first opportunity to start creating a trusting relationship between client and coach (You and I).

During the session, I will showcase my skills and demonstrate my credibility as a coach. This creates confidence in the coaching process, and opens a well-built relationship.

The discovery session will be a blend between teaching (logistics and preparing the client), and coaching (discovering the client and their future). Discovery sessions are longer than usual coaching sessions, usually taking around 90 minutes. They are sometimes heavily discounted or even free when signing up for longer coaching packages.

Logistics

We basically get the ‘boring stuff’ out of the way at the start. It means we become clear on what’s expected, both client and coach.

We will work out; how to book a session, how often we should meet, cancellation policy, fees, confidentiality agreements and any other forms that might be necessary. In a nutshell, we’re creating a business relationship, and it’s best to start with open communication and clearly defined logistical details. This also includes setting professional boundaries! Phew, let’s look at the more fun stuff.

Preparing the client for coaching

This is an empowering process where we discover how we will work together and what you need from your coach. I call this ‘Designing the Alliance’. It’s part of coaching that comes into play in almost every session. After all, things change and clients want to be challenged in different ways.

Any coach needs to train their client in terminology, so that we’re singing from the same hymn sheet throughout the journey. A clear example of this is with the saboteur, I’ve hear this called; inner critic, demon, superego, negative self-talk, inner child, destructive inner monologue and many more!

We also discuss how requests, inquiries and homework will be set, and how it can deepen the learning in between the sessions. In fact, I’ll let you into a little secret: It’s the time in between sessions where the transformation happens!

Discovering the client

And now the spotlight turns to the client… The coach gets to discover the client (I, Thou relationship), and often, the client gets to discover something new about themselves too.

It’s not possible to tell you exactly what we cover here because it’s unique to every individual’s needs. Generally speaking, we will discover core values in a fun fulfilling, and often enlightening way.

We might touch on life purpose and what gives you meaning, furthering this into a meta view, or big picture. To be honest, there’s a whole host of coaching tools that we pull out of the hat when needed. Another one could be the ‘Wheel of Life’ which looks at your life as a whole and which areas need some focus. Or, creating some internal allies that you can ‘dial up’ when needed.

If we use the metaphor of a story, this whole section is about setting the scene for the coaching journey.  We get to know the values or characters that will play a pivotal role in the transformation. We learn the synopsis of the story and how the story feels.

Discovering the client’s future

As above, we discover your ideal future though coaching as well. We start formulating the specific goals you want to achieve. We might look at commitments and situations that are on the horizon. How you want to ‘be’. By this I mean, what are the internal characteristics, values or personality traits that you wish to develop and how will they help fortify your success.

We will spend some time creating a clear vision for the future, read my blog about visioning.

All in all, we start to narrow down the focus for the coaching journey. Although there will be twists and turns as there usually is in life. We create a main focus and narrative. Usually described as a direction.

At this point I hope you have already started the process of booking your life coaching discovery call.