A number of years ago, I was in coach training and learning what seemed to be foreign concepts. During that time my wonderful trainers gave me homework that I thought was unusual: Create a list of characteristics that fit your ideal client. My first inward response was, you’ve got to be kidding! I can’t choose who I want to work with, that’s a pipe dream. I was so wrong!

I timidly sat down with a blank sheet of paper and began to write down who I wanted to knock at my coaching door:

• Male or female between the ages of 30 and 55
• Motivated to develop personally and professionally
• Have a leadership function (supervisor, business owner, team leader)
• Possesses a sense of humor
• Have the time to focus on coaching
• Effortless in conversation
• Available within my coaching schedule

Let’s move to the present. Who am I coaching?

• Male or female between the ages of 23 and 55
• Motivated to develop personally and professionally
• Have a leadership function (supervisor, business owner, team leader)
• Possesses a sense of humor
• Have the time to focus on coaching
• Effortless in conversation
• Available within my coaching schedule

Amazing, right? In reality, not so amazing. The list of client characteristics that I labored over so many years ago actually came out of who I felt I could best serve and where my people development experience could be leveraged. It was an organic list of those I gravitated toward. In networking and describing my audience to others, all of these characteristics came into play naturally.

The list wasn’t a dream list; it was the beginning of being laser-focused.

We don’t want to stop with a list. There a few other questions to ask:

Does the person fit within my coaching niche? If you have narrowed your coaching to a particular focus, you may not be motivated to coach outside of this focus and clients would be better served by another coach. It is vitally important that you can authentically, sincerely, and genuinely champion the person’s vision.

Do the person’s goals interest me? Can you authentically and sincerely support the person’s goals for his or her future? A client’s future should stir up eagerness to be involved.

Do I enjoy interacting with the potential client? If you don’t enjoy talking with the person in the initial call, you won’t enjoy coaching him or her. A coaching relationship should be synergistic.

What is my intuition telling me? Pay attention to your awareness of being uncomfortable or unsure. Ask yourself, “Is saying yes to the client when I’m uncomfortable upholding the competency of doing what is best for the client?” Trust your instinct and perception as these things will help you make wise decisions.

Does the client have the ability to pay coaching fees? Fees are discussed in the inquiry and if the client cannot pay your fees, are you comfortable with setting up an alternative payment plan?

And if you’re wondering about the “foreign concept” I talked about earlier, they are no longer foreign and have become an effective and integral part of my conversation and relationships.

Are you ready to get a blank piece of paper and develop your list for an ideal client?