Keeping track on progress

Keeping track of progress 

One key aim from coaching is to support the people we work with to become more self-sufficient. It is therefore important to agree early on, how the discussions that take place during a coaching session will be captured and tracked. This is the same for any completed actions or follow up activity too, so what approach could you use and what tools can we provide?

The simple approach is to ask your client to bring a pen and paper to their session as this will enable them to quickly jot down some bullet points or make notes. This will give them a record of what was said or discussed and can be helpful to them between sessions.

Their notes can also help you look back at the start of the next session so you both remember what was discussed and agreed when you last talked. And again at the end of the session so you both agree what they will work on or try to achieve before you see them next. We also know that writing something down will not only provide them with a record they can keep, but can also help them anchor the information within the brain.

But don’t forget, many of your clients will be making full use of technology within their working day to make some quick notes in a meeting or record short reminders so they remember what was being said. So whatever solution you discuss, it must fit their way of working and support them to capture, track and complete any activities between coaching sessions.

Coaching logbooks

One approach we use, is to provide our clients with a coaching logbook. This can be used by them to not only make their own notes during the coaching session, but also for keeping track on progress between the sessions.

Our exclusive logbooks are built in PowerPoint so you can shape the tool so it mirrors the coaching process you are using and can then help guide your client through. It can also prompt them to complete any preparation needed before attending their next session. But depending on the way you use it, a coaching logbook can help open up a much deeper discussion and enables you to explore a wider range of ideas and topics.

Benefits of a coaching logbook:

• Helps clarify the different stages within the coaching process
• Used at the start of a session to review past actions and for keeping track on progress
• Used at the end of the session to sum up the discussion and agree any follow up
• Permanent written document to help anchor information in the brain
• Professional record of their coaching experience
• Gives you additional content and a commercial advantage over your competition