Training coaches how to help clients live their lives consciously is important. It allows them to make their own decisions with an appropriate level of awareness, so that when they are successful at reaching a health-based goal, they feel accomplished and it prevents the coach from having to do most of the work. If a client creates their own goals, they will be more accountable for the outcomes. There are a few ways for coaches to apply this premise.
One application in business used by some coaches is to create a model for the client to follow. By having a beginning, middle and an end to follow will allow both the coach and the client to be more successful by strategizing milestones. A coach can ask questions to judge where a client may be and figure out ways to help them. Having a universal model will allow a coach to work in any environment. This is similar to the Transtheoretical Model used by many coaches today.
A second application to business is simply getting your clients to realize that wellness coaching is more than just diet and exercise. This is viewed as “educational”. For example, ridding themselves of stress that a hectic job or lifestyle brings can help them in many ways. It might be a way to boost their mental clarity or even help them to be better employees at their workplace. This is similar to the concepts of being well-rounded (holistic) on multiple fronts. Coaching can also creep into spirituality, emotional health and physical needs- so being prepared for as much as possible is par for the course in wellness coaching these days – especially in corporate wellness coaching.
The third application is the ability for the coach to impact the client (or an entire worksite population) in a manner as to support lasting behavior changes while collectively serving the needs of the company’s greatest assets – its workers – and the details of each employee. When a coach helps a client make changes that can be sustained, they will decrease their cost of healthcare – this is good news for the worker/client’s employer if they have health insurance from their worksite. This is why face-to-face coaching in corporate settings is preferred; wellness is constantly being reinforced with the presence of the coach on site. It’s a win-win for the client and a company. Clients can be healthy and companies can save money. Chronic illness management costs money due to medications, health insurance premium and doctor visit copays. If a coach and client can work together to minimize these needs, the client/worker is most likely going to be healthier and the company they work for is saving money.
One of the best ways to launch an employee-based wellness program in a company or corporate environment is to appeal to the end result. Healthy employees and monetary savings due to lower health care costs are ultimate goals. Another important factor is the concept of one-on-one coaching. By getting to know clients one-on-one instead of doing group sessions, a client may open up more and really be willing to make a change. Having on-site gyms and a personal coach will help a worker/client with their accountability. The pathway to this type of coaching is great. It’s a way to reach and help groups of people who really need it – and who really benefit from it! Being proficient at helping people in corporate settings gives corporate wellness coaching a good name and demonstrates the benefits by impacting the bottom line for the client – saving money on employee health. This means prevention for some and management of chronic conditions for others. All in a day’s work for a corporate wellness coach.
