Mastering Coaching Skills - podcast cover

Mastering Coaching Skills

If you want to compete in the coaching industry, you need to be GOOD at coaching. But there are some things you simply couldn’t know when you were training to be a coach - and while it’s tempting to keep studying, take another course, or dive into a certification program, you really need to build the practical skills and confidence to handle whatever your clients throw at you. Each week life coach Lindsay Dotzlaf shares stories, tips and advice to continually develop your skills as a coach. She knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and anxious about coaching in the moment, and will teach you why shifting your mindset around your own abilities as a coach will make all the difference. If you’ve got clients but want to become the absolute best coach you can be, you’ll find answers, advice and support here. Learn more at lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com!
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Episodes

244. How to Access Your Genius as a Coach

This episode explores how coaches can access their unique genius, which is often the natural, effortless skill they overlook. Using a playful analogy of two dogs, the host illustrates how our most obvious talents are often our greatest strengths. Learn why coaches tend to seek external knowledge rather than embracing their innate abilities, and practical ways to identify and leverage what comes naturally.

Jul 01, 202527 min

243. What Would You Do If There Was No Right Way?

What if the answer to most of your coaching questions isn’t a strategy, but a mindset? In this replay, I’m sharing one of the most powerful responses I give inside my programs and masterminds - one that applies to countless coaching challenges: “There’s no right way. Are you willing to figure it out?” Whether you’re unsure about your next offer, questioning your coaching style, or second-guessing your decisions, this episode will help you see where that one answer might apply to your current dil...

Jun 24, 202518 min

242. Reimagine Client Testimonials: A Coach's Guide

Many coaches hesitate to ask for testimonials, feeling they’re self-promotional or uncomfortable to request. This hesitation often comes from misunderstandings about what testimonials are really for. What if I told you they aren’t about you at all? In fact, testimonials are a gift - not only to you, but to your clients as well. What you're about to discover will transform how you think about, ask for, and use testimonials in your business. I'm sharing specific strategies, alternative approaches ...

Jun 17, 202542 min

241. How Self-Blame Harms Your Coaching And How to Break Free

Sometimes, coaches like us hold ourselves back because we think our 'inherent flaws' are unchangeable barriers to success. In today's episode, I explore why we tend to blame ourselves when things aren't working in our coaching business and how this self-blame creates a self-fulfilling prophecy that keeps us stuck. You'll discover a powerful reframe question that helps break this self-blame cycle, along with specific examples from my clients who have transformed their businesses by embracing thei...

Jun 10, 202544 min

240. How to Conduct an Energy Audit to Transform Your Coaching Business

In this episode, I share a powerful yet simple method for evaluating what truly energizes you in your business. By conducting an energy audit, you'll identify which activities, clients, and tasks light you up versus drain you—so you can build a a coaching practice that feels aligned and sustainable. This process works for auditing everything from client sessions to content creation. By rating different aspects of your coaching practice, you'll discover where you can make strategic shifts in how ...

Jun 03, 202532 min

239. Signs Your Coaching Business Needs Strategic Reimagining

How do you know when it's time to reimagine your coaching business? After numerous conversations with colleagues and clients in my Reimagine program, I've noticed a pattern of coaches feeling exhausted, bored, or burnt out from doing the same things repeatedly without making strategic shifts when friction appears. In this episode, I share the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that indicate it's time for change in your coaching business. Whether you're experiencing resistance to certain tasks or fee...

May 27, 202527 min

238. Astrology and AI for Coaches: A Conversation with Robin Langford

What happens when a strategy coach combines AI and astrology to help clients build better systems? Amazing things. In this episode, I sit down with Robin Langford (also known as WickedVeracity) for a fascinating conversation that weaves through multiple disciplines and approaches to coaching. In this episode, Robin shares insights about her coaching approach, her experience in my Reimagine Mastermind, and how she's expanding her business with new offers including an AI membership. You'll hear ab...

May 20, 202554 min

237. 3 Steps to Reimagine Your Business

I'm buzzing with excitement about major shifts coming to my business, podcast, and offerings. While I can't reveal all the details just yet, I want to bring you along for the journey as these transformations unfold. These upcoming changes are inspired by my Reimagine process – a framework I've developed and used with clients that's now guiding my own business evolution. Today, I'm sharing the three essential steps of the Reimagine framework that can transform not just your coaching business but ...

May 13, 202525 min

236. 1:1 Coaching After Successfully Selling Group Programs: Are You Moving Backwards?

I've been surprised by how many people have questioned my decision to offer quarterly one-on-one coaching spots through 2025, suggesting I might be "going backwards" in my business. This couldn't be further from the truth. In this episode, I share the strategic and personal reasons behind my decision to add customized one-on-one coaching back into my business model. Whether you're considering adding one-on-one coaching to supplement group programs, or you need to pivot temporarily for financial ...

May 06, 202522 min

235. The Thoughts Every Coach Has (& Why You Shouldn't Be Ashamed of Them)

I’m pulling back the curtain on the thoughts that plague even experienced coaches like me. From wondering why I have to work so hard, to fantasizing about quitting my business and getting a “regular” job, I’ve been there. But here’s the truth: These thoughts aren’t signs of failure or incompetence- they’re completely normal. Every coach and entrepreneur faces them at some point. By normalizing these thoughts, we can begin to strip away the shame and guilt that often hold us back. My hope is that...

Apr 29, 202527 min

234. How Getting Creative Benefits Your Life and Business with Amanda Gold

Have you ever felt disconnected from your creative side? That spark of imagination and self-expression that once came so naturally might be buried under years of criticism, busy schedules, and societal expectations. In this episode, I'm joined by the delightful Amanda Gold, a life coach for heart-led creative weirdos, to explore reigniting our innate creativity. Tune in to hear some practical ways to weave creativity into your daily life, even if you only have five minutes to spare. From Amanda'...

Apr 22, 202553 min

233. Your Perfectionism Is Hurting Your Coaching (& What to Do About It)

Are you holding yourself to an impossible standard as a coach? I've noticed a troubling pattern among coaches—this underlying belief that because they're coaches, they should somehow transcend the human experience. They think they should have all the answers, never struggle, and be immune to the very challenges they help clients navigate. In today's episode, I'm diving into why coaches often feel they should "know better" or "be better" than they currently are. I share specific examples of how t...

Apr 15, 202527 min

232. The Coaching Pendulum: Using Extremes to Find Balance

Have you ever noticed how when you're trying to change something about yourself, you often swing from one extreme to the other before finding balance? This fascinating pattern is what I call "the pendulum effect" in coaching. Just like a physical pendulum that swings back and forth before settling in the middle, our behaviors and beliefs often follow this same trajectory when we're working on personal growth. The beauty of understanding this pendulum effect is that it helps normalize what can ot...

Apr 08, 202530 min

231. Why Believing You're "Starting Over Again" Keeps You Stuck

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I can't believe I'm back here again" or "I should be further along by now"? This belief that we're somehow starting over or regressing in our progress is one of the most common and damaging thoughts I hear from coaches. It's a sneaky mindset trap that not only makes you feel terrible but actively prevents you from solving the very problems you're facing. Today I'm breaking down why this belief is so harmful, what's actually happening instead, and how to s...

Apr 01, 202531 min

230. Why You Don't Need All the Answers

Have you ever caught yourself feeling like you need to have all the answers as a coach? That nagging pressure to solve every client's problem with the perfect strategy can be overwhelming, even for experienced coaches. In this episode, I address one of the most common challenges coaches face - the belief that coaching alone isn't enough and that they must be experts with solutions for every situation their clients bring to the table. Hear how this mindset can impact your coaching confidence and ...

Mar 25, 202529 min

229. Overcome the Self-Coaching Trap: Why Action is Essential for Coach Growth

I share my insights on why coaching yourself without taking action can actually hold you back. While self-coaching is a valuable tool, there comes a point where you need to step out of your comfort zone and put your skills into practice. Only by taking consistent action can you truly grow as a coach and build the business you desire. Discover how to identify when you're stuck in a cycle of over-coaching yourself and learn practical strategies for breaking free. Whether you're a new coach or a se...

Mar 18, 202514 min

228. Leverage Your Coaching Strengths to Build a Thriving Business

I reveal five key traits shared by top coaches and successful business owners. You'll see how skills like curiosity, compassion, and innovation translate seamlessly from coaching sessions to running your business. Discover how to leverage your innate coaching strengths to create a coaching business perfectly aligned with who you are. Plus, stay tuned until the end for an exciting announcement about a brand new opportunity to get the business support you need to succeed. Get full show notes, tran...

Mar 11, 202523 min

227. Why Humans Thrive with Coaching and Support

I dive deep into the science behind why humans are not meant to learn and grow in isolation. From the social learning theory to the power of deliberate practice with feedback, there is overwhelming evidence that working with others accelerates our progress and helps us achieve mastery faster. I explore real-world examples, fascinating research studies, and personal anecdotes that demonstrate the magic of collaboration and coaching. By the end of this episode, you'll have a newfound appreciation ...

Mar 04, 202543 min

226. Empowering Clients Through Adaptable Coaching Techniques

As coaches, we often learn specific techniques and tools that we believe will help our clients achieve their goals. However, not every client resonates with the same methods. Some may struggle with journaling, while others prefer talking through their thoughts instead of writing them down. By taking a step back and considering the underlying purpose of each tool or technique, we can find alternative ways to help our clients create the same powerful results. This adaptability not only improves th...

Feb 25, 202523 min

225. Mastering the Art of Goal Setting: A Coach's Guide to Client Success

I dive deep into the importance of goal setting in coaching and share practical strategies you can use to help your clients achieve their desired outcomes. We'll explore why goal setting is the backbone of effective coaching, common challenges coaches face in this area, and the costs of skipping this crucial step. By the end of this episode, you'll have a solid understanding of how to approach goal setting with your clients and feel more confident in your ability to guide them towards success. G...

Feb 18, 202527 min

224. Strategic Procrastination: A New Way to Boost Productivity

In this episode, I introduce the concept of strategic procrastination. It's a powerful tool that can help you overcome resistance and get more done in your business. By intentionally choosing activities that prime your brain for the task at hand, you can make it easier to tackle even the most challenging projects. Whether you struggle with writing emails, recording your podcast, or any other aspect of your coaching practice, this strategy can help you break through the resistance and get things ...

Feb 11, 202538 min

223. Overcome Obstacles and Achieve Your Goals with The Project Formula

I'm sharing a powerful tool that I've been teaching my clients inside The Coach Project. It's a formula that can help you tackle any project or goal, whether it's creating a new program for your clients, developing your coaching process, or even working on your own personal development. By breaking down your project into four key components - idea, strategy, commitment, and obstacles - you can gain clarity on what you want to achieve, develop a plan to get there, and stay motivated along the way...

Feb 04, 202516 min

222. How to Plan an Extended Leave from Your Coaching Business with Lindsey Mango

In this episode, I talk with my good friend and fellow coach Lindsey Mango about how she has prepared for her upcoming maternity leave. We explore the mindset shifts required to step away from your business without worry or guilt, and the importance of empowering your clients to get results even in your absence. If you've been putting off taking extended time off because you weren't sure how to make it work in your coaching business, this episode will give you tons of ideas and inspiration. Lind...

Jan 28, 202552 min

221. A Coach's Breakthrough to Emotional Wealth with Kirsty Knight

In this episode, I have a powerful conversation with my client and colleague Kirsty Knight about her journey through a challenging year and how she came out the other side stronger than ever. Kirsty shares openly about the emotional struggles she faced, the investments she made in coaching that didn't quite pan out as she hoped, and the deep work she had to do to shift her mindset and rebuild her business. If you've ever found yourself in a similar place, feeling overwhelmed or questioning your ...

Jan 21, 202547 min

220. Grow Your Coaching Business with Workshops: A Client Success Story with Missy Frisch

Missy shares her experience of creating and delivering a workshop as part of my Summer Project offer. She walks us through the process of designing the workshop, promoting it, and evaluating its success. Along the way, she shares valuable insights and lessons learned that any coach can apply to their own business. If you've been considering hosting a workshop but aren't sure where to start, this episode is for you. Missy's story will inspire you to take action and give you practical tips to make...

Jan 14, 202541 min

219. Quarterly Planning for Coaches: Supercharge Your Progress in 2025

In this episode, I share a powerful strategy for planning your coaching business in quarterly sprints. By dedicating each quarter to a specific project or focus area, you can make steady progress without getting bogged down or distracted. Whether you're a new coach just starting out or a seasoned pro looking to level up, this approach can help you stay on track and achieve your goals. I walk you through how to choose your quarterly projects, create a realistic plan, and navigate obstacles along ...

Jan 07, 202536 min

218. 6 Questions to Ask in Your Year-End Review

I have a simple yet powerful exercise you can use to reflect on your coaching business over the past 12 months. Whether you're feeling on top of the world or like you've been struggling through the muck, this process will help you gain valuable clarity and perspective. Tune in to start your year-end review of 2024. I discuss the importance of celebration and show you how to begin identifying your main focuses. I also ask you key questions to evaluate what worked, what didn't, and what you want m...

Dec 31, 202415 min

217. How to Prepare Your Coaching Business for Extended Time Off

Get ready to embrace the power of taking time off! I share my experience with completely closing my business for two weeks every year during the holidays. But you can use what I discuss today at any time of year. While it may seem daunting at first, intentionally planning time off can provide much-needed rest, rejuvenation, and space for creativity. Discover the benefits of proactively scheduling downtime in your business, whether it's during the holidays or another time of year that works best ...

Dec 24, 202414 min

216. A Project in Your Business: How Temetria McVea Helps Her Clients Curate Their Lives

I'm joined by Temetria McVea, a life coach who specializes in helping women in midlife navigate these transitions. Temetria is in my Advanced Certification. This episode is specifically about the project that she did in Certification and all the work she did in developing self-trust in her coaching and her incredible offerings. Discover how Temetria McVea became a coach for women in midlife, and how she created a concept to help her clients navigate transitions and create the life they really wa...

Dec 17, 202440 min

215. Creating a VIP Coaching Day with Angela Jowers

Angela Jowers is a general life coach, and you know I love a general life coach. Her clients are high-achieving women in midlife from all walks of life who are stressed out and overwhelmed. She's also a program manager for a larger coaching organization. Drawing from all her experience in the coaching industry, Angela is full of tips for making your VIP days a success for both you and your clients. Hear Angela's insights and the behind-the-scenes details of creating her VIP day offering for her ...

Dec 10, 202448 min
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