5 Steps to Building Rapport and Trust in the Coaching Relationship

5 steps to building rapport and trust in the coaching relationship

Step 3

Interactive Infographic for Coaches

Like a house built over time, building trust and rapport in the coaching relationship is a team effort. Click on each step to learn more about the process for building trust and rapport between you and your coachee(s)!

Step 1

Step 2

Step 4

Step 5

Back to event

Step 1

Establish the Blueprint...

Before you can start building trust and rapport with your client(s), get clear on the layout-or blueprint-of your coaching relationship. In other words, what will coaching look like for the coachee? What will the coaching relationship look like? How will you both know coaching is effective? What is the shared vision between you and your coachee(s)? As you establish mutual agreement around these questions, you cultivate the spirit of openness and teamwork and can begin to lay the foundation for trust and rapport.

Back to event

Step 2

Lay the foundation...

Trust is built upon a foundation of open, honest, and clear communication.

Laying the foundation means establishing clear roles and responsibilities early in the coaching relationship. This ensures both the client(s) and coach share a mutual understanding of the role of coaching, the nature of the coaching relationship, and the coaching process. Adhere to a Coaching Agreement that you and your client(s) sign at the beginning of the coaching relationship. The Coaching Agreement is not written in stone. You and the client may decide to iterate upon the Agreement as needed and determined and agreed upon by client(s) and coach. Clear and direct communication, as well as mutual agreement and shared desired outcome(s) from the very beginning of your communications with the client, are the foundation upon which you and your client will build trust and establish rapport over time.

Back to event

Step 3

Build...Brick by Brick...

These are the elements that act as the structure of the coaching relationship- what holds the relationship up and it gives it form. As each element is implemented with care, regard, and precision, a wonderful coaching dynamic forms....

• Sincere empathy
• Active listening
• Mutual respect
• Mutual accountability
• Positive regard
• Reciprocity/relating
• Powerful coaching questions
• Asking permission
• Reinforcing boundaries
• Appreciative inquiry

Back to event

Step 4

Construct the Roof...

These are the elements that protect the coaching relationship. The roof is the apex and without it, everything within the relationship is vulnerable to damage. It is what gives the coachee assurance that what they and the coach have built together is solid and sound. Like the roof protects from the wind, rain, and snow, withhout a solid roof, quality of life in the home is not sustainable. The coach's relationship with themselves is the roof.

Self-Actualization

• Leading with integrity
• Practicing what you preach/Being the example
• Modeling good character
• Authenticity
• Follow-Through
• Setting and reinforcing your own boundaries

Tickets

Tickets

Tickets

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer

Back to event

Step 5

Make it a home...

Home furnishings make the house a home.

These are the elements of the coaching relationship that make it last and produce optimal results for the coachee:

• Humor
• Expertise
• Sharing knowledge and resources
• Cultural humility/awareness