Business Coaching and Mentoring For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Just like everything else in life, business coaching and mentoring sessions have a beginning, middle and end. Use this list as a quick check to help you and your clients get the most from your coaching and mentoring sessions.

• Before the session

  • Review previous notes

  • Prepare personal notes to keep on track

  • Get grounded by focusing on the session ahead and clearing your mind

• At the close of a session

  • Notice key issues and models used in the session

  • Check which models have worked and the client’s sense of what worked in the session

• After the session

  • Make note of action points to be completed before the next session and any issues to bring forward to the next session

  • Complete your coaching/mentoring log

You likely got into business coaching because you enjoy helping people solve problems and grow in their careers and professional relationships. What you probably weren’t as prepared for are all of the administrative tasks that come with running your own practice. Ugh is right!

Here are some key questions to ask yourself at the beginning or end of every month. These questions will help you support and grow your practice.

• Cash flow questions

  • Are invoices issued and up to date?

  • Are receipts from invoices in the bank?

  • Are supplier invoices paid within terms agreed?

• Business profile questions

  • Are website and social media updated with any software plugins and personal/business profile changes?

  • What network meetings or training events are planned in the diary?

• People issues questions

  • What one-on-one and team meetings are planned for the month?

  • Are payments to any associates and staff settled and in line with cash receipts?

  • Are internal development and coaching/supervision sessions planned and/or completed?

Your business, profession or leadership role is a reflection of who you are and how you present professionally and in life more generally. Use these questions to check the alignment between your nonwork life and working life.

• Analysing your values

  • What do you value about the nature of your business and your role in it?

  • What do you value about your life?

  • Are these in alignment? If not, what needs to change?

• Doing the work vs. working on the business

  • How much time do you spend working on your business (planning, marketing, networking, and so on) as opposed to working in your business (day-to-day delivery and administration)?

  • Does the balance feel right at this stage of development?

• Being the best you

  • Are you doing your best work right now? If not, why not? What is getting in the way? What will you do about that?

  • Are you being your best in the roles you hold outside of work with family, friends, membership organisations and any clubs you are part of? What is working well? Does your leisure time align with your values and create a sense of personal success?