Comments on: The Absolutely Best Advice About Being A Coach or Consultant http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant Just another WordPress site Thu, 17 May 2012 21:42:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Dawud Miracle http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6969 Dawud Miracle Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:20:17 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6969 <strong>Jack,</strong> True. In my case, I do a little of each. So it's hard to be pinned down into one. Jack,
True. In my case, I do a little of each. So it’s hard to be pinned down into one.

]]> By: Jack - life coach courses http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6968 Jack - life coach courses Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:45:06 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6968 In the years I’ve been a coach / consultant / advisor (I’m still uncertain what to call myself) -- kinds funny but true. you want people to understand what you do so you sometimes want the most popular term. also thought you want to be called something you like. In the years I’ve been a coach / consultant / advisor (I’m still uncertain what to call myself) — kinds funny but true. you want people to understand what you do so you sometimes want the most popular term. also thought you want to be called something you like.

]]> By: Dawud Miracle http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6967 Dawud Miracle Thu, 15 May 2008 02:02:51 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6967 <strong>Mr. Johns,</strong> I think there's a fine balance between 'allowing' the client to stay where they are and 'forcing' my direction on them. I think the best coaches/consultants sit in the middle and learn what their clients can handle. Thoughts? Mr. Johns,
I think there’s a fine balance between ‘allowing’ the client to stay where they are and ‘forcing’ my direction on them. I think the best coaches/consultants sit in the middle and learn what their clients can handle.

Thoughts?

]]> By: Mr. Johns http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6966 Mr. Johns Tue, 13 May 2008 21:28:21 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6966 Having performed a lot of consulting work I also have made the mistake of trying to force a client in the direction of a particular piece of advice of mine. One tactic I have used recently is to point out similar mistakes by the client's competition. I would gather that this is what 'Great Management' is talking about. I agree with your assessment that you have to know the client. Some will take that as an affirmation that they're doing it the right way when they really aren't. Having performed a lot of consulting work I also have made the mistake of trying to force a client in the direction of a particular piece of advice of mine.

One tactic I have used recently is to point out similar mistakes by the client’s competition. I would gather that this is what ‘Great Management’ is talking about. I agree with your assessment that you have to know the client. Some will take that as an affirmation that they’re doing it the right way when they really aren’t.

]]> By: Dawud Miracle http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6965 Dawud Miracle Sun, 11 May 2008 04:48:50 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6965 <strong>GreatManagement,</strong> Could be the case. I guess I think each relationship is different and requires different tactics. <strong>Tom,</strong> I think you're right. Yet there has to be a balance between allowing the status quo and 'forcing' change. I agree with the above comments that you're paid to bring change. Thoughts? <strong>Jared,</strong> I agree, actually. I think each relationship, however, requires a different tactic. The most effective leaders and coaches are those who can understand where their clients are and meet them there. Then begin to nudge them in a manner that's appropriate for their circumstances, need and personality. No reason to push change when the client isn't open to it. Rather use different tactics to help the client grow. <strong>Melody,</strong> It does, exactly. That's what I've been saying in the comments above. There's no cookie cutter method for dealing with clients. You have to be fluid. <strong>Robert,</strong> I agree in theory. But isn't getting there done in the action? If so, the actions may need to be different for different clients, no? GreatManagement,
Could be the case. I guess I think each relationship is different and requires different tactics.

Tom,
I think you’re right. Yet there has to be a balance between allowing the status quo and ‘forcing’ change. I agree with the above comments that you’re paid to bring change.

Thoughts?

Jared,
I agree, actually. I think each relationship, however, requires a different tactic. The most effective leaders and coaches are those who can understand where their clients are and meet them there. Then begin to nudge them in a manner that’s appropriate for their circumstances, need and personality.

No reason to push change when the client isn’t open to it. Rather use different tactics to help the client grow.

Melody,
It does, exactly. That’s what I’ve been saying in the comments above. There’s no cookie cutter method for dealing with clients. You have to be fluid.

Robert,
I agree in theory. But isn’t getting there done in the action? If so, the actions may need to be different for different clients, no?

]]> By: Quick Takes - 5/3/2008 at Ray Fowler .org http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6964 Quick Takes - 5/3/2008 at Ray Fowler .org Mon, 05 May 2008 14:02:16 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6964 [...] Miracle shares the best advice on giving advice. “The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly [...] [...] Miracle shares the best advice on giving advice. “The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly [...]

]]> By: Robert http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6963 Robert Sun, 04 May 2008 09:24:43 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6963 The best advice about being a coach is that you are going to be teaching people, you are going to tell them how to achieve the best. You should have keen observation as a coach. Your coaching should identify the best and should be able to help them in achieving the best. The best advice about being a coach is that you are going to be teaching people, you are going to tell them how to achieve the best. You should have keen observation as a coach. Your coaching should identify the best and should be able to help them in achieving the best.

]]> By: Melody Campbell, The Small Business Guru http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6962 Melody Campbell, The Small Business Guru Fri, 02 May 2008 07:23:53 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6962 There's gotta be a way to "salt their oats" - to appear indifferent but make them thirsty for change and think it's their idea. How? I guess it depends on the client and what motivates them. There’s gotta be a way to “salt their oats” – to appear indifferent but make them thirsty for change and think it’s their idea.

How? I guess it depends on the client and what motivates them.

]]> By: Jared Goralnick http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6961 Jared Goralnick Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:28:25 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6961 Dawud, I appreciate this advice and I think it applies very well when dealing with friends and loved ones. However, in a business setting I think my clients are often paying for the hand-holding, the nudging, and my willingness to take a stake in their success. If I go in and then leave, remaining detached, and don't offer my opinions when they don't take my advice, then my clients won't grow nearly as much as if I try to gently move them in the direction I'm helping them to travel. While the quote could be used as a rationalization, I know you're not using it that way. I just want to point out that some of the greatest successes come from sticking it out to make an impact, even if you're just the outside consultant. Great blog, look forward to meeting you in Chicago! Dawud, I appreciate this advice and I think it applies very well when dealing with friends and loved ones.

However, in a business setting I think my clients are often paying for the hand-holding, the nudging, and my willingness to take a stake in their success. If I go in and then leave, remaining detached, and don’t offer my opinions when they don’t take my advice, then my clients won’t grow nearly as much as if I try to gently move them in the direction I’m helping them to travel.

While the quote could be used as a rationalization, I know you’re not using it that way. I just want to point out that some of the greatest successes come from sticking it out to make an impact, even if you’re just the outside consultant.

Great blog, look forward to meeting you in Chicago!

]]> By: Tom Stine http://dmiracle.com/conversation/the-absolutely-best-advice-about-being-a-coach-or-consultant/#comment-6960 Tom Stine Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:19:45 +0000 http://dmiracle.com/?p=400#comment-6960 Brilliant! One of the places I get stuck in my coaching is in wanting my clients to change. I want them to experience what I experience. But, ah, they are their own agents. I guess Richard Bach had it right: if you love something, set it free. Brilliant! One of the places I get stuck in my coaching is in wanting my clients to change. I want them to experience what I experience. But, ah, they are their own agents. I guess Richard Bach had it right: if you love something, set it free.

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