How I keep my coaching focused

Setting boundaries in coaching can be difficult because it often involves managing the emotional dynamics between the coach and the coachee. The psychological causes behind a coachee’s tendency to expand the scope of coaching can include feelings of uncertainty, anxiety about agreed goals, the desire for validation, lack of clarity or fear or failure. As a coach, I always try setting clear boundaries with a client who consistently expands the scope of coaching, as it is key to maintain focus and progress. Here’s how I try to manage this effectively:

1. Clarify Expectations Early

At the start of the coaching engagement, we clearly define the goals, structure, and timeline of the sessions. I always collaborate with the client to establish what they want to achieve, how long the process will take, and how they will measure success. In many cases we document these agreements in writing. This not only helps clarify expectations but also serves as a point of reference if the scope begins to shift. It’s much easier to refer back to an agreed-upon document when a client starts expanding the conversation.

2. Revisiting the Agreement Regularly

I check in regularly with my client to review the original goals and the progress made. At the beginning of each session, we briefly revisit what we’ve already accomplished and what remains on the agenda. If the client introduces new topics or tries to expand the scope, I always acknowledge their new interests but gently steer the conversation back to the agreed-upon focus. This gives the client a sense of progress while keeping the sessions productive.

If the new topics are essential, I ask the client whether he/she wants to address them after completing the current objectives. This approach maintains flexibility but maintains the original coaching scope.

3. Setting Clear Session Agendas

I usually begin each session by asking the client to specify what they want to achieve during that meeting. I always write down their responses and compare them to the goals we have agreed upon at the start. If they start veering off track or adding new, unrelated objectives, I usually use the agenda to bring them back to the session’s primary purpose.

I might for example say, “I see that you’d like to discuss something new, but we originally agreed to focus on X today. Would you like to add that to our future sessions once we’ve made progress on your main goal?”

4. Framing It as Value for Them

I also tend to remind the client that keeping the focus on the original goals will help achieve results faster and more effectively. I explain how shifting scope too often can dilute the impact of the coaching process. In this way I let my clients see that my role is to help them stay on course so they can derive the most value from the time and effort they’re investing.

For instance, I might say, “I understand you’d like to explore this new topic, but I believe sticking to our original plan will help you reach your current goals more quickly. Once we’ve made progress there, we can certainly explore other areas.”

5. Offering Additional Sessions or a New Engagement

If my client consistently brings up new areas of focus, I also sometimes offer them an opportunity to extend the coaching engagement. This might mean proposing additional sessions or even structuring a separate engagement that specifically tackles the new areas they want to explore.

By offering an option for a future engagement, I can can stay true to the original goals while providing a structured pathway to address their evolving needs. At least I want to signal that I am responsive to my client’s requests, but also that I want to stay focused on delivering value by sticking to our original plan.

6. Being Assertive and Direct

Sometimes, my clients may push boundaries despite gentle reminders. In these cases, it’s essential for me to be assertive while maintaining empathy. I let my client know that while I understand their evolving needs, it’s important to stay aligned with the original objectives to ensure the best results from the coaching process.

For example, I could say, “I understand that you have new priorities, but in order to get the best results from our time together, we need to stay focused on the goals we set at the beginning. Once we achieve those, we can move on to the new areas you’re interested in.”

I always try to respect my client’s changing needs but at the same time want to keep committed to the success of the current engagement.

7. Using a Time Management Approach

One way to manage scope expansion is to allocate a specific portion of each session to address the new topics the client brings up while dedicating the rest to the core objectives. For instance, I might allow 15 minutes to explore the new topic but keep the majority of the session for the original focus.

This strategy helps the client feel heard without derailing the main agenda. I could say, “Let’s spend the first part of the session addressing your new concern, and then we’ll return to our main goal to ensure we’re progressing there too.”

8. Establishing Scope Change Procedures

If I find that scope creep is a recurring issue, I will propose considering establishing a formal process for changing or expanding the coaching scope. I want to make it clear to my client that if he/she wants to address additional topics outside the agreed-upon goals, I will need to reevaluate the engagement’s structure and timeline.

This could involve revising the coaching agreement or proposing a new set of deliverables and objectives for future sessions. Having this process in place makes it easier to manage my client’s expectations while preserving the integrity of the coaching engagement.

In summary, by setting clear expectations, revisiting the original agreement, and establishing boundaries early on, I can help a client staying focused on their goals. At the same time, offering flexibility through additional sessions or a structured process for expanding scope allows me to address their evolving needs without losing sight of the initial objectives. Maintaining this balance ensures the coaching remains effective, results-oriented, and mutually beneficial.

In coaching, scope creep, or the desire to apply scope creep, can also provide great insights. For instance, better understanding the possible psychological reasons for stepping out of the agreed scope, can really help the client to better understand his or her fight/flight/freeze responses and how this can have deeper meaning.

Read more about this here: Hidden psychological dynamics that often make coachees expand the scope of coaching