Laser

 Coaching  

Laser  coaching  sessions  “laser”  in  on  the  core  dynamic  of  a  
situation.  Laser  coaching  gets  right  to  the  point,  addresses  the  
main  roadblock,  and  creates  a  plan  to  burst  through  those  
obstacles.  

Laser  coaching  sessions  are  short,  typically  lasting  only  5-­‐15  

minutes.  

Some  coaches  offer  laser-­‐coaching  packages  for  clients  who  

don’t  want  to  spend  lots  of  time  in  coaching.  Clients  who  excel  
using  laser  coaching  are  typically  self-­‐starters  who  aren’t  
sensitive  about  you  getting  to  the  root  of  the  issue  quickly  and  
being  direct.  

You  may  also  consider  adding  laser  coaching  to  your  coaching  
packages.  For  example,  in  your  higher-­‐priced  packages,  clients  
may  also  get  5-­‐minute  laser  sessions  in  between  their  regular  
sessions  (more  on  packaging  later).  

Laser  sessions  are  usually  intense,  as  you  aren’t  going  into  a  
lot  of  the  “story”  or  “background”  of  a  situation.  Its  simply  
here  is  where  you  are;  now  where  do  you  want  to  go?  

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In  a  laser  session  you  want  to  achieve  the  following:  

• Identify  the  problem  

• Gain  clarity  on  the  situation  
• Rise  above  any  fears  
• Set  a  goal  
• Create  accountability  
 

The  main  goal  of  a  laser  coaching  session  isn’t  for  it  to  be  
“short,”  rather;  the  session  is  short  because  it’s  the  by-­‐product  
of  effective  and  efficient  coaching.  

The  more  experience  you  have  coaching,  the  less  time  it  will  
take  you  to  “coach”  your  clients.  You  will  be  able  to  get  to  the  
root  of  the  issue  faster  and  ask  questions  that  are  spot-­‐on.  

In  the  beginning,  you  may  find  it  more  comfortable  to  coach  
for  45-­‐60  minutes  so  that  you  have  plenty  of  time.  Soon,  you  
will  notice  that  what  used  to  take  you  an  hour  is  now  only  
taking  you  20-­‐30  minutes.  

It  has  been  said  that  the  difference  in  a  coach  who  charges  
$50  an  hour  compared  to  a  coach  that  charges  $500  an  hour  is  
that  the  coach  who  charges  $500  an  hour  can  accomplish  in  30  
minutes  what  might  take  the  $50  an  hour  coach  several  

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months  of  coaching.    

Becoming  a  better  and  quicker  coach  simply  takes  practice.  As  

you  coach  more  and  more  people,  you  will  become  better  at  
your  craft,  develop  your  intuition,  and  know  exactly  what  to  
ask  in  every  situation.  

Laser  coaching  sessions  can  stand  alone,  or  you  can  hold  a  5-­‐
minute  laser  coaching  session  in  the  middle  of  a  regular  
session  when  a  problem  arises  that  needs  direct  attention.  

Benefits  of  laser  coaching:  

• Gets  right  to  the  point  

 
• Good  for  clients  who  are  busy  professionals  and  are  
usually  resolutions  seekers  vs.  self-­‐discovery  seekers  
 
• Keeps  clients  out  of  their  “stories”  
 
• Can  be  an  added  service  to  your  regular  sessions  
 

• Can  stand  alone  as  a  coaching  package  for  those  who  

don’t  want  to  commit  the  time  or  money  to  a  larger  
package  
 

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 • A  good  option  for  clients  who  are  generally  satisfied  with  
their  life  as  it  is  and  just  want  to  experience  slight  
improvements  
 

• Is  popular  in  the  corporate  coaching  world  

 

Tips  for  conducting  laser  coaching:  

• Have  the  client  prepare  for  the  call  and  pre-­‐identify  what  
they  will  be  coached  on  to  save  time  on  the  call  
 
• Go  deep  with  clients.  In  a  laser-­‐coaching  session,  you  
don’t  have  time  for  the  “why”  this  is  happening  to  them  
or  “who  did  what.”  Hold  the  client  accountable  and  
encourage  them  to  identify  the  dynamics  of  the  situation  
concisely  instead  of  explaining  themselves.  
 

• Challenge  the  client’s  assumptions  and  play  “devil’s  

advocate”  to  be  sure  the  client  is  doing  what  THEY  want.  
 

• Recognize  “b.s.”  immediately  and  call  your  client  out  on  

their  “stuff”  
 

• Speak  the  truth  as  you  see  it,  and  be  honest  with  your  
client.  
 

 
• Don’t  be  afraid  to  challenge  the  clients  views  and  beliefs  

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• Always  be  respectful,  even  when  you  are  being  tough.  
 

• Laser  coaching  sessions  are  often  intense,  and  if  a  client  

has  an  Ah-­‐ha  that  results  in  anger  at  himself  or  a  
situation,  that  anger  may  be  redirected  at  you.  Be  calm  
and  do  not  take  this  personally.  Also  do  not  defend  
yourself  or  what  you  may  have  said  to  cause  this  
realization.  Being  calm  and  giving  the  client  space  will  
diffuse  the  situation.  
 

Just  because  you  are  being  firm  with  their  clients,  doesn’t  
mean  you  are  telling  them  what  they  SHOULD  do  or  what  you  
WOULD  do.  You  are  still  coaching.  

For  example:  John  has  a  problem  with  a  co-­‐worker  and  needs  

help  in  determining  how  to  handle  his  co-­‐worker  during  a  
team  meeting  after  lunch.  

It  is  appropriate  to  challenge  John’s  beliefs  or  create  new  

awareness  by  pointing  out  the  possibilities  that  John’s  co-­‐
worker  may  not  feel  the  same  way,  or  may  not  have  meant  
something  as  John  took  it.  Then  you  can  point  out  the  possible  
repercussions  of  how  John  decides  to  handle  the  situation  to  
help  him  make  the  best  decision.  

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It  is  NOT  appropriate  to  tell  John  what  he  SHOULD  do  or  what  
you  WOULD  do.  

Laser  coaching  may  not  be  appealing  for  a  brand  new  coach  or  
a  coach  who  has  a  more  gentle  approach.  Because  of  the  short  
time  period,  it’s  best  for  coaches  who  can  be  tough,  and  
clients  who  thrive  with  a  tough  coach.  

Timeline  for  laser  coaching  session:  

1. Listen  to  the  problem  

 
2. Ask  1-­‐2  informational  questions  that  YOU  need  to  gain  
clarity  around  what  the  client  has  said  so  that  you  are  on  
the  same  page  and  you  understand  the  problem  
correctly.  
 

3. As  soon  as  possible,  identify  the  ideal  outcome.  

 

4. Find  the  truth  of  the  situation,  and/or  challenge  the  

client’s  beliefs  or  assumptions.  
 

5. Say  what’s  on  your  mind  and  be  honest  with  the  client  
(not  about  what  you  THINK  they  should  do,  but  more  
about  all  the  different  possibilities  and  outcomes  for  your  
client).  
 

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 6. When  the  desired  outcome  is  validated,  set  an  action  
plan  and  accountability  plan.  
 

7. Praise  the  client  for  breakthroughs,  successes,  etc.  

 

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