If there was a method that could help you achieve your goals in the workplace, do you think you would be interested in learning what it was? Known as performance coaching, this is one of the best ways to start being as efficient and effective as you possibly can. The only problem is, not many people know about performance coaching to begin with! In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the subject, covering everything from the basics to how I’ve developed as a performance coach over time.
What’s Performance Coaching?
In a nutshell, performance coaching is all about helping individuals or teams improve their performance and achieve their goals. This is done through focused and personalized guidance and support.
Unlike traditional coaching that might focus on personal or career development, performance coaching targets specific roles, skills, or tasks.
RELATED: Read about our Management & High Performance Coaching Services
Who Needs Performance Coaching?
People who self-reflect and want to make a change towards bigger and better goals should consider performance coaching. This is regardless of a person’s life stage, which means that no matter where you are in your life, if you set specific goals and need a helping hand, performance coaching is for you.
In terms of some professions I believe can benefit from performance coaching, I’d say:
- Sales Executives because there are so many skills that make up sales. Despite this, 26% of reps say that their sales training is inefficient, according to G2. Having a performance coach help address any one of these can greatly improve your capabilities as a salesperson.
- Managers and leaders because these individuals have a responsibility to lead groups of people. With performance coaching, they can lighten their burden and gain assistance for various problems.
- Athletes because mental clarity and strength is paramount for such people. Though I haven’t personally coached any athletes, I know a few people who have and the benefit performance coaching has is unparalleled.
What Happens Without Performance Coaching?
Performance coaching aims to help individuals reach their goals. This is done by addressing the mental state of the individual and working through the boundaries they’ve created themselves. But what happens without performance coaching?
You Become Stuck In Time
Without performance coaching, individuals tend to get stuck in time. What happens is that the boundaries they’ve placed on themselves are never overcome for the false belief that overcoming them would do no good.
Part of this is based on fear of what might happen if a boundary is broken through. Individuals tend to get comfortable where they are and as such, get stuck in time.
You Become Like A Car Stuck In Neutral
Besides becoming stuck in time, those without performance coaching also become like a car stuck in neutral. Typically, these people are still trying their hardest. The issue lies in the fact that they cap their abilities much earlier than they should.
So they become like a car stuck in neutral. They press on the gas pedal and the car whirs and whirs, not really going anywhere. With performance coaching, they might start to move into 1st, 2nd, 3rd, all the way up to 6th gear.
How Are Performance Coaching Sessions Structured?
Seeing as the pros of performance coaching outweigh the cons, let me now show you how I tend to structure my performance coaching sessions. I will focus primarily on Psych-K coaching.
Intake Conversation
I always begin with an intake conversation. This is where we’ll figure out what the key focus of the performance coaching is, what goal you want to achieve, and what position you’re currently in.
Having this conversation shines a light on what changes need to be made in order to become unstuck from time and move forward.
Psych-K Coaching
Now begins the actual coaching. The reason I love Psych-K coaching is because of its focus on the subconscious mind. Dealing with the subconscious allows us to directly address the boundaries we’ve put on ourselves.
- Goal Clarification
The first step is goal clarification. This involves talking about what the desired outcome of performance coaching is, along with an individual’s current state. Clarifying these two makes it possible to identify the gap in between.
- Muscle Testing
Muscle testing is a biofeedback system that serves as a bridge between our subconscious and physical body. Essentially, this is where we can identify limiting beliefs and whether something is right or wrong based on how your body reacts to yes or no questions.
- Balancing Statements
Once limiting beliefs are highlighted, it’s possible to start balancing them into positive and empowering beliefs. The left and right part of the brain, normally in contest with the other, are balanced.
- Integration
Integration refers to the actual act of balancing statements. By putting people into certain physical positions and repeating goal statements, it’s possible to change your subconscious around certain ideas and behaviors. By doing this over multiple performance coaching sessions, numerous boundaries can be overcome.
- Validation/Action Plan
Once you accept the efficacy of muscle testing and balancing statements, it’s necessary to start implementing an action plan that you can use into the future.
It’s important to understand that while a performance coaching program might end with 10 sessions (which I typically offer), it’s crucial to continue to use what you’ve learned to really see meaningful change.
My Journey With Psych-K
My introduction to Psych-K came when I joined a group in the Netherlands called the Fortunators. This was a group that strived to change people’s view on life from a limitation-mindset to one based on abundance. As part of their services, they use the Psych-k system to ensure a healthier mindset towards wealth, health, and abundance. As a result, I became curious about the method and did my first course in 2021.
My Journey With Performance Coaching
Performance Coaching has changed a lot for me since I started doing more focused learning around the subject. This started with neuro-linguistic programming in 2012 when I began to learn how to coach people with a more structured method.
Even more changed when I started using Psych-K in 2021. This took my approach to a whole new level, especially because Psych-K is something I use on a daily basis. Whether I need to prepare myself for a difficult conversation, a workshop, or to simply focus on being productive, Psych-K has transformed my life.
Even better is that it’s helped me as a performance coach. Over time I’ve noticed myself figuring out how to ask better questions, which is an essential skill for any type of coach.
RELATED: Read more about Performance Coaching in Vietnam
How I Can Help
With over almost two decades experience, including impactful roles at Google and Apple, I, Thijs van Loon, am your Professional Skills Development Facilitator in Asia. My suite of services is meticulously designed to propel your team to new heights.
One area of expertise is in Management & High Performance Coaching, which can cover anything from NLP coaching, Psych-k coaching, and small group management coaching.
By leveraging training certifications from Google and Apple, in addition to my certifications in NLP and Psych-K, I offer tailored, practical solutions that deliver immediate results to your business. By working together, I can help you empower the individuals in your company and your business at large, whether this be in Vietnam or other locations around the world.
Interested in management & high performance coaching? Get in touch now.