CHAPTER7Building Early Relationships with Clients

AS IN OTHER HELPING PROFESSIONS, THE QUALITY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU, AS COACH, AND YOUR CLIENT IS A MORE IMPORTANT DETERMINANT OF POSITIVE OUTCOMES THAN ANY OTHER VARIABLE UNDER YOUR control.1 Creating and sustaining a safe but engaging relationship with clients is the cornerstone of a successful coaching process. Coaches who rely on a formulaic process or favored instruments are under-leveraging the potential power of that relationship. Clients who feel that you are truly seeing them will be much more engaged and open. Your particular style of relating to clients is grounded in your Personal Model, but there are several general points to guide you, especially in early sessions.

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