The best coach process: What can you expect from the first time to the breakthrough?
When you feel stuck in your life or career and are ready for a change, you may need the help of an expert. The support of the best coach can be invaluable at this time. But what does it really mean to go through a professional coaching process? What results can you expect and how does the journey go from the first conversation to the breakthrough?
In this article, we will guide you through the whole coaching process, show you what phases to expect and share how to identify the best coaching process and the best coach for you. Whether you are facing a career change or looking for personal development, this information and guide will help you navigate the world of coaching. But if you feel you need support:
What does the coaching process really mean?
Coaching is primarily not counselling or therapy. It is a structured, goal-driven collaboration between you and the coach. A International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as "a partnership that maximizes the client's personal and professional potential through a thought-provoking and creative process."
The best coaching processes are always personalised, but there is a basic structure that usually characterises them. According to a McKinsey study, executives who received regular coaching support reported 77% better decision-making than their peers. This shows how effective a well-designed coaching programme can be.
From first meeting to commitment
The journey always starts with an initial conversation. This stage is crucial, as it determines whether you and the coach have chemistry. The best coaching professionals are usually the first time:
- They assess your current situation and challenges
- Clarify the differences between coaching and other support processes (e.g. therapy, mentoring)
- Present their own methodology and approach
- Get answers to your questions about the process
- Help you determine whether coaching is the right tool for you
According to a recent study, 68% of coaching relationships are decided in the first session - building trust at this stage is crucial. Once you feel you've found the best coaching partner, it's time for agreement and commitment.
Rob, Róbert Radó, Senior Executive coach at CoachLabexperience of: "In my more than 15 years of coaching and leadership, I have observed that the most successful coaching processes are those where honest and open communication is established from the very first meeting. The best coach is not necessarily the one who knows everything, but the one who can create a safe space where the client dares to experiment and grow."
The art of setting goals
The second phase is to define the objectives precisely. The best coaching professionals know that vague, general objectives do not lead to real results. Instead, they use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, Time-bound) methodology or other similar frameworks.
Stanford University research has shown that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. In the coaching process, goals are:
- Reflect your true desires and values
- They are challenging but achievable
- Are in line with your long-term vision
- Measurable and traceable
- Flexibility in the process
A well-defined goal is not only what you want to achieve, but also why it is important to you. The best coach will help you map out your deep-seated motivations that will give you the energy to make a long-term change.
Deepening awareness and self-awareness
The third stage of the coaching process is self-awareness work. This phase often includes:
- Value discovery exercises
- Identify strengths and areas for improvement
- Mapping beliefs and limiting ideas
- Analysis of behavioural patterns
- Use of different self-awareness tools (e.g. personality tests, 360° assessment)
According to Gallup research, people who consciously use their strengths are six times more likely to feel engaged at work and three times more likely to report a high quality of life. The best coach will help you discover these strengths and build on them.
From action plan to implementation
The fourth phase is the planning and action phase. Coaching is not just a conversation - its real value lies in the concrete steps and the development of new behaviours. At this stage:
- You develop a detailed action plan
- Identify the resources needed
- Identify possible obstacles and strategies to overcome them
- You establish the success indicators
- You develop a system of accountability
According to a Harvard Business Review study, regular monitoring and accountability increases the likelihood of achieving goals by 95%. The best coaching professionals know that small, consistent steps lead to the biggest changes.
Reward and challenge: The breakthrough phase
The fifth and perhaps most exciting stage of the coaching process is the breakthrough stage. This doesn't always happen in a single moment - it's often a series of small realisations that lead to bigger change. There can be signs of a breakthrough:
- Exploring new perspectives
- Letting go of old patterns
- Making decisive choices
- Increased confidence and efficiency
- Stepping out of your comfort zone
Breakthroughs are not always pleasant - they often involve discomfort and uncertainty. The best coach at this stage will not only support you, but also challenge you. According to a Coaching Research Institute survey, 80% of coaching clients experienced a significant breakthrough in the process, but 65% of these also experienced some kind of challenge or difficulty.
The story of Péter Varga: "When I first met my coach, I was working as a middle manager in a multinational company, but I felt that this was not my path. During the coaching process I not only realised that I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but also what was holding me back. The best coaching partner gave me what no one else did: an honest mirror and strong support. Three months after completing the process, I started my own business, and now, two years later, I'm running a team and making more money than ever. But the real payoff is not the money, it's the freedom and self-identity I now have."
Maintaining results and concluding coaching
The final stage of the coaching process is to ensure sustainability and to close the process properly. The best coaches do not want to be tied to their clients forever - on the contrary, they want them to be able to maintain the results they have achieved without the coaching. At this stage:
- Evaluate the results achieved
- Identify the tools and techniques you have learned
- You develop a sustainability plan
- Celebrating success
- Close the coaching relationship or define the framework for continuation
A PricewaterhouseCoopers study found that coaching programmes
yield an average return of 7 times the amount invested.
But real value is often not measured in money - it's self-confidence growth, better relationships, a healthier work-life balance are all benefits that will be felt in the long term.
How to choose the best coach for you?
Now that you know the typical stages of the coaching process, the question is: how do you find the right person for you? Here are some considerations that may help you decide:
The 5 steps to choosing the best coach:
- Check your qualifications and experience - See if they have internationally recognised accreditation (ICF, EMCC) and experience in your field.
- Request a free introductory chat - The best coaching professionals usually offer a free consultation before the commitment.
- Ask about the methodology - Find out what approach he uses and how it fits your needs.
- Check references - Read case studies, reviews or ask for references from previous clients.
- Watch the chemistry - As well as professionalism, trust and chemistry between you is just as important.
According to the latest statistics, coaching processes where the client has consciously chosen a coach partner are on average 37% more effective. The best coach is not necessarily the most expensive or the most famous - it's the one who is tailored to your individual needs and to your objectives is the best fit.
Summary: The value of the coaching journey
Coaching is a transformative journey, where you can get the best out of yourself with the support of a trained professional. The best coaching processes not only help you achieve specific goals, but also give you skills and self-awareness that will support you throughout your life.
According to international statistics, the average return on coaching investment ranges from 170-340%, but the true value is often not quantifiable. Self-confidence, clearer focus, better decision-making and a more authentic life are all gifts of coaching.
If you are ready for change and committed to progress, the coaching process can be the catalyst you need. A with the help of your coach partner not only achieve your goals, but also discover inner resources you may not have known you had.
There is no perfect moment to start - change starts when you make the decision that you are ready. And when you find the best coaching partner for you, that decision can be one of the best investments of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Coaching Process
How long does a full coaching process take?
The length of a process built around a goal or theme depends largely on individual goals and needs. We usually work with 10-15 suitable processes with 1-2 weeks between sessions. This structure provides sufficient time to initiate and consolidate changes while maintaining continuity and momentum. The best coaching professionals are flexible in managing this framework and adapting the length of the process to the client's needs.
How is coaching different from therapy or counselling?
Coaching is primarily a present- and future-oriented process focused on improving the performance and quality of life of people in a healthy mental state. While therapy often deals with past traumas or psychological problems, coaching focuses on solving current challenges and achieving future goals. Unlike counselling, the best coach does not give direct advice or ready-made solutions, but helps the client to find their own solutions through questions, feedback and tools.
How much investment is a professional coaching process?
The financial investment in the coaching process depends on the experience, qualifications and specialisation of the coach. At CoachLab, senior coaches are usually charged between 40.000-80.000 HUF/hour. The cost of a complete process can therefore start at around HUF 400,000. Of course, there are coaching processes shorter than 10 sessions depending on the goal, so even 4-6 sessions can be successful, but this is not the case. However, it is worth looking at it as an investment: according to international research, the average ROI (Return on Investment) of coaching is 700%, i.e. every HUF invested is returned seven times over in the long term in the form of better performance, higher earnings or a more balanced life. The best coaching professionals create not only immediate results, but long-term value for their clients.
How do I know if I am ready for a coaching process?
Coaching can be really effective if:
+ You are open to self-examination and change
+ You take responsibility for your own development
+ You are willing to step out of your comfort zone
+ Have a specific goal or area in which you want to develop
+ You are committed to the process and willing to invest time and energy in practising
If most of these are true for you, you are most likely ready to start on the path to change with the help of your best coaching partner. If you're unsure, it's worth taking part in a free introductory session where you can clarify your questions and get to know your coach.
How often and how do the coaching sessions take place?
The coaching sessions are usually 60-90 minutes long and are usually held every 1-3 weeks depending on the goal and needs/opportunities. This rhythm gives you the opportunity to practice and integrate what you have learned between sessions. A CoachLab offers flexible solutions for the format of your meetings: you can choose between face-to-face, online or hybrid solutions. The best coaching experts are also available throughout the process for short email or telephone consultations between sessions if support is needed in a specific situation. Between sessions you will often be given exercises or assignments to help you deepen and apply what you have learned.
