Let’s be honest: the world doesn’t need another business coach spewing recycled advice about “unlocking potential” while secretly Googling what that even means. If you’re here, I’m assuming you want to be better—not just look better. Big difference. One sells fluff. The other builds something that actually works (and gets your clients to stop ghosting you after two sessions).
So here’s the real stuff—the kind of strategies I wish someone had given me when I was still overdelivering on calls and undercharging for clarity.
If you’re talking more than your client, you’re consulting, not coaching. And that’s fine—if that’s what they signed up for. But great coaching? It’s built on space… safe, no judgment zone sort of space.. The kind of space where clients can hear their own thoughts, bump into their own blind spots, and realize—oh wow—that thing they’ve been avoiding for six months isn’t actually the problem. (It’s just the symptom.)
Pro tip: when in doubt, ask better questions. Then shut up and let them wrestle with the answer.
2. Clarity > Motivation (Every Single Time)
You can hype your client up all day, but if they still don’t know what they’re doing next Tuesday at 10 AM, then all you gave them was an energy drink. Clarity is what gets things moving. Help them define what success actually looks like—not in five years, but this week. What are we doing? Why? And what’s getting in the way? Be annoyingly specific. Their results will thank you.
3. Your Framework Isn’t Sacred (But It Should Exist)
Yes, you need a process. No, it doesn’t need to be a 9-step pyramid with color-coded worksheets. But if you’re winging it with every client, two things happen: (1) You burn out. (2) They wonder what, exactly, they’re paying for. A good framework doesn’t box you in—it gives you a foundation. Think of it as a playlist, not a script. Adjust the vibe as needed, but have something that keeps the structure solid.
4. If You’re Not Growing, They Won’t Either
Want to be a better coach? Be a better student. Read outside your niche. Learn from people who don’t sound like you. (Honestly, some of the best coaching insights come from stand-up comics, behavioral economists, or that one client who gave you brutally honest feedback.) Your personal development doesn’t end when you get your first high-ticket client. That’s when it starts getting real.
5. Say the Thing, Ask The Tough Question (The One They’re Not Ready to Hear)
Here’s where the “fancy” coach advice usually backs off—but we won’t. If your client is dancing around something big, name it. Not aggressively, not with ego—but with calm, grounded honesty. Great coaches aren’t afraid to get a little uncomfortable. It’s not your job to be liked. It’s your job to help. And sometimes, the truth is the most helpful thing in the room—even if it makes things awkward for a minute. (Spoiler: that minute usually leads to a breakthrough.)
Final Word?
Being an effective business coach isn’t about more certifications, more jargon, or pretending you have it all figured out. It’s about showing up with real presence, staying sharp, and being brave enough to ask the really tough questions—especially when it’s hard.
Because clients don’t need perfect. They need real.
And if you’re here, doing the work to be better at what you do? You’re already halfway there.