Life Coach Training Principles for All Coaches

I don’t think Karen Pryor had life coaching training in mind when she wrote, “Don’t Shoot the Dog!  The New Art of Teaching and Training.”  But it’s a good coach training resource to help answer the problem: how do you get your clients to perform.    One of the key coach training distinctions of this book is that all our actions reinforce behavior.   This life coaching training is about knowing how to reinforce the behaviors you want to get the results you want.

Life Coaching Training 101: How do Reinforcements Work?

Life Coaching Training Principle #1:  Positive reinforcers are anything paired with a behavior that increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.    Used properly positive reinforcers are very effective.  These reinforcers should be delivered as the behaviors occur.  Imagine using delayed reinforcement on your pet.  Telling your dog, “good boy” a few days after he sits on command doesn’t work.  Telling a loved one how great she looked when you went to out for dinner last week has a similar effect.  I use this coach training principle with my clients.  I have them call me to let me know they have followed through with a commitment.  Immediately after they complete the task, if possible.  Even though they usually leave a voice message, the occasional time they reach me is like hitting the jackpot in Vegas.

Life Coaching Training Principle #2:  Negative reinforcement might be as subtle as a change in tonality or giving someone a sideways glare.  Having an accountability discussion with your client who shows up late or fails to complete his commitments is one situation where this coach training may apply.  Another is yelling “Stop” when your two year old has a fistful of his sister’s hair in his hand while they are sitting in the backseat of the car.  If the negative reinforcer continues after the result is achieved, it’s tuned out.

Life Coaching Training Principle #3:  Another way to positively reinforce your clients is to give them encouragement along the way toward their goals.  Think of rewarding yours clients for continuing their efforts knowing they will eventually get the “reward.”  A word of warning about this coach training.  Be careful not to reward your clients for “trying” because this sometimes just gets people to seek attention.

Use this Coach Training to Make a Huge Difference in the Lives of Your Clients

As coaches we want to make sure we don’t “Shoot the Dog!” as Karen Pryor says, or our clients, but by using her coach training we can have an even greater influence on our clients.  We can help them make even greater achievements.  We can also teach our clients to use this life coaching training to influence the people in their own lives.

Colette Seymann

JTS Advisors Designated Accountability Coach