Phase 9: Follow up
The fact that the period of intensive collaboration with the coachee is over does not necessarily mean that your relationship ends. A follow up is a valuable element to add to your coaching program.
A follow-up involves contacting the coachee a few weeks or months after the completion of the trajectory. This step is important to ensure the sustainability of the results achieved and to make the coachee feel supported – despite the fact that the trajectory has ended. This additional guidance offers an opportunity to build a long-term relationship, further personalize your services and discover new possibilities for collaboration.
9.1 The purpose of the follow-up
The primary goal of the follow-up is to support the coachee in the period after the trajectory. This helps the coachee to maintain achieved results, prevent a relapse into old patterns and tackle any new challenges. It can also help the coachee stay motivated and maintain focus. In addition, it offers you as a coach valuable insights into how your trajectories have an effect in the long term.
9.2 Forms of follow-up
There are several ways to set up a follow-up. Depending on the coachee's needs and your coaching style, you can use one or both of these methods:
- Automatic emails
Send an automated email or text a few weeks or months after the completion of the course. You can ask questions like:
- How are you doing with the goals you set?
- Are there any new challenges that you could use help with?
- What is going well and what could be improved?
2. Follow-up sessions
Offer a single or series of follow-up sessions to reflect together on progress since completion. This can also serve as a time to set new goals or discuss bottlenecks. You can use these sessions to further motivate the coachee and address any obstacles.
The advantage of an automatic email is that you don't have to worry about it. The disadvantage is that it is less personal. And the personal touch is exactly what makes a follow-up such a valuable step!
9.3 The time of follow-up
The timing of the follow-up is important. It can vary depending on the duration and intensity of the trajectory, but in general it is good to contact:
- After 3-4 weeks: a short check-in to hear how things are going immediately after completion.
- After 1-3 months: an evaluation moment to see how the coachee is holding up in daily life.
- After 6 months: a deeper follow-up to discuss whether new goals or challenges have emerged.
9.4 Value for coach and coachee
A well-executed follow-up offers the coachee a sense of continuity and support, even after the completion of the trajectory. It keeps motivation high, signals new challenges in time and tackles them, and strengthens the relationship with you as a coach. It gives the coachee the confidence that he or she can come back for further guidance or a new trajectory if necessary.
For you as a coach, a follow-up also has several advantages:
- Insight into the long-term impact: you can better understand how your guidance has affected the coachee
- Feedback: it is an opportunity to ask for experiences and suggestions for improvement
- Image: it is an additional service, which shows that you are a committed and dedicated coach who really cares about the success and well-being of the coachee
- New opportunities/turnover: it can lead to new collaborations, referrals or recommendations
Conclusion
The follow-up is a phase that offers enormous benefits for both coachee and coach. By keeping in touch with the coachee, monitoring progress and offering additional support, you help the coachee to sustainably anchor growth and change.
In addition, it shows that you are committed to the sustainable growth of your coachees and that you truly care about their success. This not only strengthens the relationship with the coachee, but also contributes to your professional image.
With tools like Trackler, you can easily automate and personalize your follow-up. From check-ins and reflections to automated reminders, additional sessions and materials, the possibilities are endless to maintain a valuable relationship with your coachee.
A strong follow-up is more than a closure; it is a bridge to continued growth and amplifying your impact as a coach.
Want to read more about the other phases in the coaching process? Click here here.
