Every coaching session is different, because every person and situation is different. But many first sessions follow a similar arc: getting to know each other, figuring out what matters most, exploring it together, and leaving with a next step. Here’s an illustrative example of how that might sound.
THE SESSION: “TOO MUCH ON MY PLATE”
A weekday afternoon. JORDAN, a project coordinator, joins a video session from a quiet corner of the office. Their COACH is already on the call, smiling.
COACH: Hi Jordan, it’s great to meet you. Before we dive in, I just want you to know this is your time. We can talk about whatever’s most useful to you, and what we discuss stays between us. How are you doing today?
JORDAN: (laughs a little) Honestly? Kind of overwhelmed. That’s sort of why I’m here.
COACH: That makes sense. Tell me a bit about what’s going on.
JORDAN: I’ve been on my team for about a year. Lately it feels like new projects keep landing on my desk, and nothing ever comes off. I’m working late most nights, and I still feel behind.
COACH: That sounds exhausting. When you say nothing comes off, what does your plate look like right now?
JORDAN: Four big projects, plus a bunch of smaller requests. My manager keeps saying they’re all priorities.
COACH: So everything’s a priority, which means it’s hard to know where to focus.
JORDAN: Exactly.
(The coach pauses, giving Jordan space.)
COACH: If this session went really well, what would you want to walk away with?
JORDAN: (thinks) I guess… a way to talk to my manager about it. I’ve been meaning to for weeks, but I keep putting it off.
COACH: What’s made it hard to bring up?
JORDAN: I don’t want to seem like I can’t handle my job. Everyone else seems fine.
COACH: That’s a really common worry. Can I ask you something? Do you actually believe you can’t handle your job?
JORDAN: (pauses) No. I’m good at what I do. There’s just too much of it.
COACH: That’s an important distinction. It sounds like this isn’t about your ability. It’s about capacity.
JORDAN: (nods slowly) Yeah. That actually feels different when you say it that way.
COACH: Let’s think about your manager for a minute. What do you think matters most to them right now?
JORDAN: Hitting our deadlines for the product launch next quarter. That’s what leadership is watching.
COACH: So if you went to your manager with the goal of making sure the launch succeeds, how might that change the conversation?
JORDAN: Huh. I guess it wouldn’t be me complaining. It’d be me trying to protect what they care about most.
COACH: What might you say?
JORDAN: Maybe something like… “I want to make sure the launch goes well. Right now I’m stretched across four projects, and I’m worried quality will slip. Can you help me figure out which ones matter most?”
COACH: How does that feel to say out loud?
JORDAN: Better than I expected. Less scary.
COACH: Would it help to practice? I can play your manager, and you can try it out.
JORDAN: Sure. Go easy on me.
COACH: (smiling) I’ll be realistic. (shifting tone) “Hey Jordan, what’s up?”
JORDAN: “Hi. I wanted to talk about my workload. I really want the launch to go well, and right now I’m juggling four big projects. I’m worried I won’t be able to give the launch the attention it needs. Could we look at priorities together?”
COACH: (as manager) “Hmm. I mean, everything on your list is important.”
JORDAN: (freezes, then laughs) That’s exactly what I’m afraid they’ll say.
COACH: (back as coach) Good, now we know. What could you say if that happens?
JORDAN: Maybe… “I understand. If everything stays on my plate, which one should I focus on first if something has to wait?”
COACH: How did that feel?
JORDAN: Like I’m not asking to do less. I’m asking for clarity.
COACH: Exactly. That’s a strong way to put it.
(A pause.)
COACH: We have a few minutes left. What’s one step you want to take after today?
JORDAN: I’ll ask my manager for 20 minutes this week. And I’ll write down my four projects with deadlines so I can show exactly what’s on my plate.
COACH: That sounds really doable. When do you want to send that meeting request?
JORDAN: Tomorrow morning. Before I talk myself out of it.
COACH: (laughs) I love that. How are you feeling compared to when we started?
JORDAN: Lighter, honestly. I came in feeling like the problem was me. Now it just feels like a conversation I need to have.
COACH: That’s a big shift. If you’d like, we can meet again after your conversation to talk about how it went and what’s next.
JORDAN: I’d like that.
END SCENE.
What happened in this session
If you look closely, you’ll notice the coach never told Jordan what to do. Instead, they asked questions that helped Jordan see the situation more clearly, reframe it from “I can’t handle this” to “I need clarity on priorities,” and find their own words. They practiced the conversation together, including the part Jordan was most worried about. And Jordan left with a specific, doable next step and a lot less weight on their shoulders.
That’s what coaching often looks like: a supportive, focused conversation that helps you think more clearly and move forward with confidence.
Every session is different
Your session might focus on a career question, a relationship at work, a new role, or simply sorting out what’s on your mind. It might feel more like a reflective conversation, or it might include practice like Jordan’s role-play. Sessions are 45 minutes, can be shorter if you need, and you can choose phone or video. However it unfolds, the time is yours.
Jordan and their coach are illustrative characters, and this session is a composite based on common coaching conversations.
Ready to see what your first session sounds like? Book a session with a Bravely coach and bring whatever’s on your mind.
