Showing Up Ready to Be Coached

How to Show Up to a Coaching Session with a Topic That Moves You Forward

My last post dove into the mindset of powerful questions from the coach’s perspective. This week, I want to explore how a client can show up to a coaching session more consistently with powerful questions of their own.

One of the most effective ways to maximize the impact of professional coaching is to come to each session prepared with a topic for discussion. While coaching is a space for exploration, clarity emerges more readily when clients arrive with motivation and intention. Those who have worked with me know I strongly encourage them to show up with a topic, even if it is only partially formed in their minds. The preparation of a topic of discussion is an exercise in intentionality. All sessions follow a simple, predictable template:

1. agree upon a topic;

2. explore that topic in thought-provoking, creative ways; and

3. Agree upon a set of actions with accountability, and find ways to deepen the learning from the discussion.

But how do you decide where to focus? What makes for a discussion that creates momentum in your career?

The Power of Preparation

A well-chosen topic allows for deeper, more meaningful conversations. Rather than arriving with a vague feeling of wanting to “grow” or “develop as a leader,” consider framing a topic in a way that invites exploration and insight. The best topics provide a balance between something specific enough to tackle and open-ended enough to allow for new perspectives.

Here are some ways to structure your thinking before a coaching session:

1. The Three-Lens Framework: Past, Present, and Future

Use this framework to identify where your focus should be:

• Past: What recent challenges, successes, or feedback have been on your mind (or in your heart)? What patterns are emerging in your career?

• Present: What are you currently struggling with? What decisions are you weighing right now? What upcoming interactions do you anticipate without full confidence?

• Future: Where do you want to be, and what obstacles, limiting beliefs, or questions stand in your way?

This reflection can help uncover a topic that feels both relevant and impactful.

2. The Question-Driven Approach

Instead of just bringing up a general challenge, try framing it as a question that invites exploration. Some examples:

• Self-awareness: “How can I better leverage my strengths in my current role?”

• Decision-making: “What criteria should I use to evaluate my next career move?”

• Leadership: “How can I be more effective in managing my team’s competing priorities?”

• Communication: “How can I navigate difficult conversations with more confidence?”

• Work-Life Balance: “What boundaries do I need to set to be more effective and fulfilled?”

A powerful question leads to discovery and action.

3. The Growth Mindset Check

Before settling on a topic, ask yourself:

• Am I open to new perspectives on this issue?

• Am I willing to explore the edges of my comfort zone?

• Am I prepared to take ownership of my next steps?

Approaching coaching with curiosity and a growth mindset will lead to richer conversations and more meaningful outcomes.

4. The 80/20 Rule of Coaching

Think about what would make your session feel truly valuable. If 80% of your session is focused on gaining clarity and insight, the remaining 20% should be about defining action steps. Consider:

• What would make this session a success for me?

• What’s one concrete step I can take after this conversation?

I try to manage time allocation in coaching sessions to roughly this ratio, but it is even more effective if the client also anticipates this kind of balance in our discussions.

The Bottom Line: Intentionality Creates Impact

Coaching is a space for exploration, but it thrives on focus. By taking a few moments before each session to reflect on where you are, what you need, and how you can frame a meaningful discussion, you set the stage for transformational conversations. The more intentional you are about how you show up, the more impactful your coaching experience will be.

So, before your next session, pause and ask yourself: What conversation do I need to have today to move forward? Where am I experiencing friction on my path?