DiscoverMastering Coaching Skills
Mastering Coaching Skills
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Mastering Coaching Skills

Author: Lindsay Dotzlaf

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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!
260 Episodes
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This episode kicks off a three-part series on launching, but it's not about logistics. Instead, I’m diving into the foundation that makes everything else work: relationships. Whether you're a business, health, or relationship coach, the principles I’m sharing apply to how you sell your coaching, whether through formal launches or everyday conversations.   You’ll learn how unprocessed emotions can show up physically, why acknowledging failures is key for clear decisions, and how appropriate vulnerability builds genuine connections. I share how transparency (without trauma dumping) led to invaluable feedback and why consistency outweighs perfection when building trust.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/256   Learn more about Coach Unfiltered here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/coach-unfiltered   Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/
Launching an offer and watching it fail isn't just disappointing, it's a full-body experience that can leave you questioning everything about your business. After ten years of running a successful coaching business and filling countless groups, I found myself staring at the results of not one, but two failed launches of my Reimagine Mastermind.    This episode takes you through every messy detail of how I navigated these back-to-back launch failures and the complete pivot that followed. I'm sharing the exact data I collected, the emotional spiral I went through, and the scary decision to completely restructure my offer just days before it was supposed to start. Listen in to learn how I turned my launch failures into market research and launch success.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/255
This disconnect between how we think clients should behave and how they actually show up is something I see coaches struggle with constantly - whether they're brand new or have been coaching for years. We create these unspoken rules and expectations for our clients, then feel disappointed when they don't follow them.   The truth is, your clients' behavior isn't about you - it's about them being human. And the good news? You have way more influence over how your clients show up than you think. Through the four simple strategies I share in this episode, you can help your clients become better at being clients while also examining your own patterns and assumptions.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/254
Sometimes coaching sessions just don’t go the way you expect. Your client might show up overwhelmed, jump between topics, or even tell you, “I don’t have anything to coach on.” In those moments, it’s easy to doubt yourself, and wonder how to steer the session without losing your confidence or momentum.   That’s why I'm sharing a simple coaching skill I call the 3 Question Reset. It's part of my new podcast series, Coaching Tools, where I teach practical frameworks and methods you can start using in your sessions right away to get real results. The 3 Question Reset helps you refocus the conversation and turns tricky, confusing moments into actionable insight - no matter the client or situation.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/253
You know that feeling when you hit a milestone in your business and suddenly everything feels different? In this episode, I'm exploring what I call the "vulnerability tax" - the hidden cost of success that makes established coaches close off just when they need openness most. The more success we create, the more we feel we have to lose by admitting we don’t have all the answers.   Through my own experiences – like that first $100k year when everything suddenly stopped working – I’ve learned that the most successful business owners are actually the most open to being wrong. Discover why the vulnerability tax exists and how to break out of the performance cage that's keeping you from the strategic support and authentic connections you need to keep growing.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/252
There's a common pattern I see with many coaches, especially when they hit a roadblock in their business. They dive into introspection and mindset work instead of asking, “How do I solve this?” But relying solely on self-concept work can sometimes keep you stuck.   In this episode, I’m going to share why self-concept work isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution and when it might actually be holding you back. You'll also learn how to balance mindset work with practical, actionable steps that lead to tangible results in your business.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/251
My entire business is built on helping coaches find their own way of doing things. But the more coaches ask me for permission to do things their way, the more I realize just how many “rules” we’ve picked up along the way about the “right” way to do things.   In this milestone 250th episode, I'm giving you full permission to trust yourself and your evolution as a business owner. You'll discover why outgrowing your current model isn't failure but evolution and why sitting in the unknown without forcing the next step might be exactly what you need. This episode is your permission slip to come back to whenever you need to hear that your way of doing business is valid, even if you've never seen it modeled before.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/250
In this second part of my conversation with sales expert Justine Beauregard, we explore how to sell with authenticity. Justine, who helps scale businesses to as much as $300 million, shares more of her proven approach to sales, focusing on how to secure the right clients without relying on manipulative tactics.   You'll learn to see sales as a natural extension of your work of supporting others by offering them something they need, rather than pushing a sale. If you're still grappling with discomfort around sales, this episode will help you rethink your mindset and give you the confidence to step into sales with clarity and ease.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/249
If you’ve ever struggled with the idea of selling or felt uncomfortable with it, this episode is for you. Justine Beauregard, an expert sales coach who has helped scale businesses to as much as $300 million, will challenge everything you thought you knew about selling and show you how to approach it in a way that feels authentic and natural.   In this episode, Justine simplifies sales strategies that might otherwise feel complicated or overwhelming. She breaks down common misconceptions, like the belief that you need complex funnels to succeed. Instead, she shares the essential elements of a straightforward, effective sales process that you can start using immediately to connect with potential clients.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/248
Have you ever felt frustrated because your coaching business isn’t where you want it to be yet? In this episode, I’m sharing a story about the wildflower field behind my house that will transform how you approach growth. Cultivating a field is just like building a business: it's messy, it takes time, and it doesn’t always look pretty. But every step, even the 'ugly' ones, are part of the process.   If you're stuck focusing on the end result, this episode will challenge you to shift your mindset. I’m diving into why it's crucial to embrace the messy middle and enjoy each stage of your business growth. I’ll also show you why appreciating each step, and not just the final picture, will actually speed up your success and make the journey more fulfilling.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/247
Over the next three months, I'm embarking on a complete transformation of my brand, messaging, and offerings. And I'm documenting the entire process in real-time through a new program called Coach Unfiltered.   In this week's episode, you'll learn all about Coach Unfiltered and why you want to be in this container. Through this behind-the-scenes documentary experience, you'll see exactly how business transformations happen: the strategy sessions, the expert consultations, the pivots, and yes, even the moments of doubt. Tis isn't just about watching; it's about learning how to apply these same strategies to your own business while seeing the real, unfiltered journey of entrepreneurship.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/246
Do you ever find yourself thinking, “No one can know I’m struggling with this”? I’ve been there. But this thought might be one of the most dangerous beliefs you can carry as a coach. It’s normal to think you can’t show vulnerability, but what I’ve learned over time is that transparency doesn’t make us less of a coach. It makes us more human and more relatable to our clients.   In this episode, I dive into why trying to hide our fails from our clients only isolates us, increases pressure, and ultimately weakens our ability to serve them. I’ll also share how my own struggles with transparency have shaped my approach to coaching, and how embracing vulnerability has created deeper connections with my clients. Perfection is a myth, and it’s time we start normalizing the messy parts of coaching and business.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/245
What if the thing you’re best at is the one you’re overlooking because it feels too easy or too obvious? In this episode, I’m sharing a playful story about my two dogs (yes, really!) to help illustrate a powerful truth: your coaching genius is already within you.   In this episode, you’ll learn how to recognize the skills and traits that come naturally to you and why those are the exact things that can make your coaching stand out. I’ll walk you through real patterns I see in my clients (and myself), and help you reframe the belief that “if it’s easy, it can’t be valuable.”   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/244  
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 dilemma. I’ll walk you through common questions I hear all the time and show you how shifting into experimentation and curiosity can unlock your next step.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/243  
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 for different niches (yes, even the private ones), and why celebrating your clients' growth through testimonials actually deepens their transformation. Plus, you'll hear Amanda Gold's powerful testimonial at the end that demonstrates exactly what I mean about testimonials being a gift.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/242
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 their perceived flaws as strengths. I'll also share practical ways to redirect your thinking when self-blame arises so you can embrace your authentic self in your coaching practice.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/241
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 you operate and transform your coaching business.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/240  
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 feeling constant friction, this episode offers guidance on moving forward strategically and avoiding burnout while maintaining what works.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/239
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 about the intersection of astrology, AI, and coaching, and how Robin uses these tools to help clients discover their unique design and create systems that work for them rather than trying to fit into someone else's mold.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/238
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 any area of your life. Whether you're looking to revamp an existing offer, create something entirely new, or help your clients navigate change, these steps provide a clear path forward.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/237
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