| A Coaching Tool can be as simple as typing a few | | | | the other side of your exercise if they have more to |
| questions or a checklist onto a piece of paper and | | | | say. It's more important that the Coaching Tool fits |
| then calling it a Coaching Tool. But if you're going to | | | | onto one piece of paper. |
| create something - why not do it well? People are | | | | STEP 6 - Add color and graphics |
| busy and the more attractive and professional you | | | | Add color (eg. your bullets, numbering or sub-titles |
| make your Coaching Tool the more inspired your | | | | could be colored text). Then pick a meaningful graphic |
| clients are going to be, and the more professional and | | | | - character or photo - and add this to the top left of |
| polished you will look. | | | | your page before your title. |
| It may take time to create a quality coaching tool | | | | Tip: Make sure the image you pick is professional, |
| but you will be repaid a hundredfold as you use and | | | | relevant and appropriate for your audience. |
| reuse your coaching tool in sessions, as homework, in | | | | STEP 7 - Give your Coaching Tool a jazzy title. |
| welcome packs, as a workshop handout and in | | | | Pick an inspiring name for your coaching exercise. |
| prospect meetings - whether with corporate or | | | | Think about what they're learning or how they will |
| individual clients. What people like is fun and easy | | | | benefit from completing your tool. Are they learning |
| tools to complete: Something quick, colourful and with | | | | the art of self-care, setting meaningful goals, will they |
| immediate impact. The coaching tool could help them | | | | be managing their time better? How will they be |
| identify blocks, patterns or come up with actions or | | | | different once they've completed your coaching tool? |
| new ideas. But ultimately the tool should empower | | | | Now replace your working title at the top of the |
| them, and leave them feeling better about | | | | page ensuring the font size is larger than the rest of |
| themselves. | | | | the document. |
| So, how do you go about creating your own | | | | Tip: Don't be afraid to use jazzy or slightly flashy |
| Coaching Tools? Well, it's not as difficult as you might | | | | words in your Coaching Tool title. You want to use |
| think - it just takes some time and thought. | | | | words with impact. Ask yourself whether you're |
| Here Are 10 Simple Steps to Create Your Own | | | | more interested in completing "Relationship Review" |
| Fabulous Coaching Exercises: | | | | or "Detox Your Relationships." |
| STEP 1 - Brainstorm and make a list of ideas | | | | STEP 8 - Add your contact details and logo |
| Take some time to ponder coaching questions, | | | | Add your contact details and logo to your Coaching |
| exercises and homework that you regularly give your | | | | Tool for a final bit of professional polish. I recommend |
| clients. What comes up repeatedly for your clients? | | | | you add your logo to the top right of the document |
| Where do you find you repeat yourself? What is | | | | header (at the top of the page). |
| common across all your clients? | | | | Next, add your website and/or email and/or phone |
| Tip: As well as asking questions you could think about | | | | number according to your preferences to the |
| sharing a 'model' or way of looking at themselves, | | | | document footer (at the bottom of the page). |
| their situation or the world. | | | | Finally, if you created the tool from your own original |
| STEP 2 - Pick an idea and write out your instructions | | | | thoughts or feel you've added significant value to |
| Pick one of the ideas you've brainstormed, one that | | | | someone else's ideas add the copyright symbol, the |
| excites or grabs you, and write out your instructions | | | | year and your company name. |
| in a document. Give it a working title at the top of | | | | Tip: This is essential if you're working with a |
| the page (we'll come back to the title in a minute). | | | | prospect, in a meeting or presenting a workshop |
| Tip: The aim is for the completed tool fit on one | | | | because it means people have your contact details. |
| page, so a good rule of thumb is that the initial | | | | Not only that, if a client shares the tool with a friend |
| instructions should take up no more than one fifth of | | | | or colleague - they ALSO have your contact |
| the page - or a few lines. | | | | information. Now that's excellent marketing. |
| STEP 3 - Review for clarity | | | | STEP 9 - Final checks and naming |
| Once you've finished, check the structure, sequence | | | | Check your final formatting and layout - and that it |
| and wording to ensure it flows well. Then re-read it | | | | still all fits on one page. Now save your tool with the |
| as if you were a client who knows nothing about | | | | same meaningful name as your title and you're good |
| coaching. Would you understand what's being asked | | | | to go. |
| of you? Does it clearly and concisely spell out what | | | | Tip: It's good to view the 'whole page' first - to get |
| they need to do? | | | | an overview of how it looks. |
| STEP 4 - Add a client-identified action or learning | | | | STEP 10 - Test. |
| Make sure you finish up the exercise with the client | | | | Finally, test the tool - first on yourself. If it helps you, |
| noting at least one specific action or learning - | | | | with all your existing knowledge and expertise then |
| because this is where you empower the client and | | | | you're onto something. |
| make sure they get a tangible result. This can be as | | | | Then, test on at least 2-3 other people - friends, |
| brief or as detailed as you would like. | | | | partners, colleagues. |
| Tip: You may want the client to have a specific | | | | Tip: Some questions to ask, "Did it help you - yes or |
| action and date by when they'll complete it, or | | | | no?", "What's missing? How could it be improved?", |
| perhaps you'll simply ask, "What have you learned?" | | | | "What was most potent for you?", "Did you spot |
| or "What will I do differently as a result of this | | | | any spelling or grammatical errors?" and "Did it make |
| exercise?" | | | | sense to you - were the instructions clear?" |
| STEP 5 - Create a page layout | | | | Once you've got feedback from your 'testers' and |
| Now go back over your tool and create a simple, | | | | made adjustments accordingly - you're ready to use |
| professional and attractive page layout for your | | | | your fabulous Coaching Tool. So, next time a relevant |
| instructions and questions. Make sure there is plenty | | | | situation comes up - whether in session, for |
| of space for your client to write their responses. I | | | | homework, in a workshop or meeting, simply whip |
| suggest you use. | | | | out your Coaching Tool and help your clients get to |
| Tip: Don't worry about giving lots of space to | | | | work. |
| complete their answers - people can always write on | | | | |