Measuring Our Impact

We learn, and can share a lot, about the impact of coaching with our clients through many types of sources. And, we have many avenues within each type to impact that impact, too!

As I was writing this article, I started to realize that the whole action of impact and its measurement has so many outlets.

Let me explain.

Consider assessments (both pre- and post-coaching), surveys, ROI case studies, ICF Prism Awards and, of course, the ICF Research Portal to name but a few. All of these take great care and planning to create a successful outcome of usable results that can help guide us as coaches to an increased effect with our clients, using the little “a” agenda of course.

Knowing that the impact will be measured can help us be even more present with our clients in the coaching process. Just be careful not to influence the coaching so as to influence the result!

All these types of impact instruments and their results—although insightful, useful and worthy of being used as marketing tools—are usually very clinical in their setup, implementation and results reporting. Of course, if you’re like me, you can find the non-clinical in the clinical.

I love using tools and “toys” when working one-on-one or in teams or groups. This outlet not only deepens the learning, it’s also fun!

Using such methods adds an element of separation between coach and client—a third entity, if you will, that allows coach and client(s) to have fun and explore using this third entity as the source.

These tools and toys come in many forms. There are journals, drawing books, icebreakers, audios, videos, images, cards, etc., all intended to inspire the client to change focus and hopefully cause deeper learning.

Interestingly, the work and results—even with toys and tools—can come full circle to the impact statement when the steps and results are tracked and measured. Case studies, surveys, award submissions and articles for magazines and blogs can add to the results bucket and slowly provide you with some great marketing material.

Yes, writing for magazines, blogs and books is another great way of reporting impact.

The results of these actions are amazing tools for marketing your business and provide a way to get more clients, so you can coach more, do more assessments, use tools and toys more often, measure results effectively, and report the impact as a success or learning.

The next time you are starting with a new client or “stuck” with a current client, pull out something different, plan and measure the process, and report it back to the world.

We need to know what others are doing and what works!