The coach’s task is to send the client the Welcome Message and the link to the Onboarding Resource List.
Communications in onboarding entail: messaging, directing toward, providing links, call to action, reporting, invoicing, reminding, etc.
We assume the client has received and absorbed the communications; they have read, understood, and committed to the process.
What have we achieved with the onboarding?
The client’s agency is evoked; clarifying their intention, vitalizing their engagement, and authorizing their commitment all evoke client agency.
The client’s hope is implicitly activated; they have made the decision to participate and also to take responsibility for their wellbeing; by entering the engagement they also have embarked on a pathway, so that agency, the decision, and pathways are all activated.
The client’s optimism is cultivated; all the onboarding communications are optimistic in outlook and use optimistic language, with a reminder of the client’s preliminary goal and the possibility of achievement, the welcome message starts an inherently optimistic working alliance.
The client’s resilience is strengthened; positioning the coach as a resource for the client to support them, and focusing on growing resources is a way to actively strengthen resilience.
In POB terms, the onboarding messages are facilitating the build-up of client psychological capital: Self-efficacy, Hope, Optimism, and Resilience.
What now?
We enter the contracting phase.
Meanwhile, the onboarding may still continue in the form of clarification of logistic issues, introducing session structure and tools, assessments, etc.
Especially, an emphasis on the use of feedback at end of sessions; the first mention of a request for testimonials, referrals, or introductions to others from the client network – may be higher-ranking officials, with the understanding that the required outcomes are delivered and client satisfaction is complete.
Issues to follow and introduce in parallel to contracting conversations before the 1st session to engage in for the client:
Strengths assessment
Send an invitation to the client with a link to the web address to take the assessment and a summary of what it entails.
Goal inquiry
Send a description of the exercise to engage in and journal reflections.
Best self exercise
Send a description of the exercise to engage in and journal reflections.
Life-course periods summary
“What do you take with you on this journey?”
“What are your resources and what do you have in your toolbox?”