Life Coach Training

Lesson 25

Content and Process

      There are two elements of a productive coaching session:  Content, or the logistical, action-related aspects in service of a client’s goals or intentions; and Process, or the feelings, energies, and internal experience through which the client moves to achieve her goals. Both are important, and must be addressed in appropriate balance in order for the client to master what she wishes.

      If you focus on content alone, you will but skim the surface of how results are manifested, and probably not see much progress. This is so because the client’s external situation is an expression, or outpicturing, of his consciousness. If the client’s consciousness does not shift,  he may perform all kinds of actions, even proper ones, and the results will remain the same. 

      Some trainings and forms of coaching focus on logistics only. While they satisfy the thinking minds of coach and client, such methods rarely create satisfying  results because they overlook the fact that the client must grow in awareness before outer results can shift.  When thoughts and feelings change, everything changes. If everything changes but thoughts and feelings, changes do not come, and if they do, they are not deep or lasting. One moment of shifted awareness can make a thousand percent difference in results.

      Other trainings and forms of coaching focus almost exclusively on feelings and process. While this is helpful and has more power to create shift than focusing only on logistics, it’s possible to become so absorbed in self-analysis that you overlook action or results. Many people who are process oriented simply go in circles because they do not pay enough attention to grounded action and creating tangible change.

      An ideal coaching session addresses both process and content. The dynamics run something like this:  1. The client presents a logistical situation, such as  “My job is not paying me enough”  or   “My husband is spending too much time at work and not enough with me and the kids.”  2. The coach, through active listening, acknowledges that she has heard the client's concern, understands it, and demonstrates empathy.  3.  The coach suggests that we look at what feelings, thoughts or beliefs might be fueling the situation. 4. The coach helps the client explore and recognize any limiting beliefs, fears, resistance, or counterproductive dynamics behind the client’s approach to the situation, and encourages the client to explore how he might see this differently. 5. The client experiences a shift in awareness in the form of deepened acceptance of self or others, release, relief, or awareness of broader or higher options.  6. The coach assists the client to formulate action steps to put this new awareness into practice.

      While this formula is general and the steps do not always occur so simply or in this precise order, these are the elements of a productive coaching session. If you review them, you will notice that a few of them are about action, and most of them are about awareness. If you can help your client uplevel her awareness, the action steps will flow naturally, either from the client herself, or by joint formulation with you.

      Tangible results are important. Feelings, experience, and internal dynamics are important. Most important is your client’s growth in awareness. Holistic coaching takes into account all levels of a client’s experience to improve his or her sense of fulfillment.