From the Toolbox\r\nEstablishing Trust & Intimacy with the Client\r\n\r\nCore Competency #3:\r\nCreating a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust.\r\n\r\nTrust and Intimacy Explained\r\nWhat leads you to trust a\r\ncomplete stranger? What would he\r\nor she have to say to you to make you\r\nfeel at ease and open to sharing your\r\ndeepest secrets?\r\nAs a coach, establishing an underlying\r\nsense of trust with your clients will\r\nempower you to be the very best coach\r\nyou can be. An intimate coach-client\r\nrelationship paves the way for open,\r\nunguarded communication and swift,\r\ncontinuous client growth.\r\nThere are four fundamentals to trustbuilding that will help you develop trust\r\nwith your clients with greater ease.\r\n\r\n1. Clarity of Process\r\n\r\nChances are, you wouldn’t accept\r\na job offer without understanding\r\nthe expectations of your employer.\r\nSimilarly, you wouldn’t hire a painter\r\nwithout discussing the fine details and\r\nthe desired end result. When clients\r\nare exploring coaching with you, it’s\r\nimportant to be transparent about your\r\nprocess. Describe what your coaching\r\nsessions will look like and what you\r\ntypically ask of your clients. Explain your\r\napproach and the reasons why it is\r\neffective. Describe the results that your\r\nclients have achieved when working with\r\nyou, and refer potential clients to past\r\nclients who can share their experiences.\r\nTrust grows organically when your clients\r\nare confident that they are in good\r\nhands, backed by a tested coaching\r\nprocess that works.\r\n\r\nQuestions for Reflection:\r\n\r\nWhat journey do you take your clients\r\nthrough from start to finish? What\r\nsuccesses have your clients enjoyed\r\nas a result of working with you?\r\n\r\nDavida Ander\r\nDavida is the communications coordinator for Frame of Mind Coaching, the parent company of JournalEngine™ Software. She has written for several national and international publications, including “Peer Resources,” “International Coaching News,” “Worldwide\r\nCoaching Magazine,” the “National Post,” the “Ryerson Review of Journalism” and “Outdoor Fitness Magazine.”\r\nContact her at davida@ frameofmindcoaching.com.\r\n