A coaching session is a structured conversation between a coach and their client, usually lasting between 45 minutes and 1h30. It follows a precise framework: clarifying the session goal, exploring the current situation, identifying resources and blockers, and defining actions to take. Each session is part of a broader process spanning several weeks or months.
In practice, a coaching session is never a casual chat: it has a beginning (clarifying what to work on today), a middle (exploring, questioning, surfacing insights), and an end (formulating a concrete commitment). Without that structure, a conversation stays pleasant but doesn't produce measurable change.
A session opens with: "What do you want to work on today?" The client mentions a difficulty with a colleague. The coach explores the situation, helps the client see what they hadn't seen, then closes with: "What will you concretely do before our next session?"
A coaching session is not a friendly supportive chat: even when warm, it keeps a structure and a progress goal, which sets it apart from a simple conversation between friends.
Yes, video calls work well for coaching: what matters is the quality of listening and questioning, more than physical presence.
That's valuable information, not a failure to hide. A good coach explores with you what got in the way of taking action, which is often more revealing than the accomplishment itself.
It helps to show up with an idea of what to address, but it's not required. Part of the coach's job is to help clarify the topic at the start of the session.
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