If the idea of diving straight into something personal with someone you’ve just met feels like a lot, you’re in good company. Many people treat their first coaching session as an introduction, and that’s a perfectly good way to start.
Think of it like the first meeting with any new partner in your growth. You’re getting to know each other, understanding how you’ll work together, and figuring out where to focus. There’s no pressure to solve anything on day one.
What an intro session can look like
In a first session, you and your coach might talk about what’s going on in your work life, what prompted you to try coaching, and what you’d like to get out of it. Your coach will likely ask questions to understand your role, your goals, and what feels most important right now. You’ll also get a feel for their style, and whether it feels like a good fit.
Share a little context
You don’t need to share everything at once. A few pieces of context help your coach understand where you’re coming from: your role and how long you’ve been in it, what a typical week looks like, and what’s taking up the most space in your head lately. Share as much or as little as feels comfortable.
Think about what you’d like from coaching
It helps to reflect on a few questions before your session, even if you don’t have firm answers yet.
What made me curious about coaching right now?
What’s one thing I’d like to feel differently about at work?
If coaching went really well, what would be different a few months from now?
If you’re not sure, that’s completely fine. Figuring out what you want from coaching can be part of the conversation.
Ask your coach questions, too
An intro session is a two-way conversation. It’s a great time to learn more about your coach and how they work. You might ask:
How would you describe your coaching style?
What kinds of challenges do you enjoy helping people with?
What does a typical session with you look like?
How can I get the most out of working together?
Try a small topic, if you’d like
If you want a taste of what coaching feels like, bring one small, real situation to talk through, like an upcoming meeting, a tricky email, or a decision you’re weighing. Working through something concrete, even briefly, gives you a sense of how your coach approaches problems and how coaching might help with bigger topics later.
Notice how it feels
The relationship with your coach matters, so pay attention to how the conversation feels. Did you feel heard? Were their questions helpful? Could you imagine talking with them about something harder? Chemistry develops over time, but a first session often gives you a good early sense of fit.
If it doesn’t feel quite right, that’s okay. With Bravely, you can change coaches as many times as you need until you find someone you connect with.
Leave with a next step
Before the session wraps up, think about what you’d like to explore next time. It might be a specific challenge, a goal you want to work toward, or simply continuing the conversation. Having a focus in mind makes your next session even more productive.
After your intro
Take a few minutes afterward to jot down what stood out and what you’d like to focus on. Then book your next session while it’s fresh. That’s when coaching really starts to build momentum.
Ready to meet your coach? Book an intro session with a Bravely coach and see where the conversation takes you. Book a session here.
