If you are in coaching, you should definitely have a notebook handy whenever you attend a session, whether you’re using a paper notebook or something on your computer (if it’s an online session). When you’re done with the session, then, it can be helpful to take notes on a variety of categories, including:
- Goals and action items: Write down any specific goals or action items that you and your coach discussed during the session. This will help you stay focused and accountable as you work towards your objectives.
- Insights and feedback: Jot down any key insights or feedback that you experienced during the session. This can include feedback you received on your strengths, ideas about areas for improvement, or the results of brainstorming ways to address challenges.
- Takeaways and reflections: Write down any thoughts or reflections that you had during the session, as well as any takeaways that you want to remember. This can help you internalize the lessons from the coaching session and apply them to your work going forward.
- Next steps: Note down any commitments you made to yourself and to your coach during the session, such as observation practices, experiments, or other follow-up actions, including resources to explore.
- Questions and clarifications: If questions come up or you find you want discuss clarifications with your coach, make a note of these so you can bring them up in your next session.
These notes are for your personal use, so experiment to find a structure that works best for you. The goal is to have a record of the coaching session that you can refer to as you continue to develop as a leader.
And if you don’t have a coach yet, there are a few other articles on this site that could be useful, such as the ones on what to look for in a coach and what to consider before choosing. I would be happy to be a sounding board for you, too, as you evaluate your options. Reach out to request a no-pressure exploration session.
