What Made a New Mentor Coaching Client Reach Out (And What We Discovered Together)

What Made a New Mentor Coaching Client Reach Out (And What We Discovered Together)

One of the most valuable conversations I’ve had recently started with a simple question:

“What made you decide to reach out?”

A new mentor coaching client had found me through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) directory and clicked through to my website.

When we spoke, she told me two things stood out to her immediately:

  • transparent pricing

  • being able to clearly picture what working together would actually look like

That feedback was incredibly useful to hear.

Because I think a lot of coaches hesitate to reach out for mentor coaching not because they don’t want support—but because there’s too much uncertainty around the process.

Questions like:

  • “What actually happens in a session?”

  • “Will this help me?”

  • “Am I even ready for mentor coaching yet?”

come up all the time.

And honestly, I understand why.

For many coaches, especially those working toward their ACC, there’s already so much uncertainty around the application and renewal process itself. If mentor coaching also feels vague or intimidating, it becomes one more thing to put off.

This conversation reminded me that clarity matters.

Not just around pricing—but around process, expectations, and what support can actually look like.

What We Uncovered Together

As we continued talking, we started exploring how her coaching has been feeling lately.

One of the things I appreciated immediately was her level of self-awareness.

She already recognized that she felt strong in several areas of the ICF Core Competencies, particularly around:

  • cultivating trust and safety

  • maintaining presence

  • active listening

  • evoking awareness

But she also had a sense that there was another level available in her coaching—especially when it came to helping clients create lasting insight and change.

Together, we identified that one of the biggest opportunities for growth right now was around Core Competency 8: Facilitating Client Growth.

More specifically:

  • helping clients generate their own answers more consistently

  • trusting the coaching process more deeply

  • creating stronger ownership and insight

  • knowing when to stay with something instead of moving on too quickly

And honestly, this is such a common growth edge for coaches.

Not because they’re “doing it wrong.”

Usually it’s because they care deeply and genuinely want to help their clients.

So naturally, they move a little too quickly toward:

  • clarity

  • action

  • problem-solving

  • reassurance

But often, the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we slow down enough to let the client fully process, discover, and trust their own thinking.

What Mentor Coaching Can Actually Look Like

This is the kind of work I love doing in mentor coaching.

Not just talking about coaching in theory—but looking at what’s actually happening in real conversations.

That often includes:

  • reviewing recordings or transcripts of coaching sessions

  • slowing down key moments

  • identifying missed opportunities for exploration

  • experimenting with different approaches or tools

  • strengthening trust in both the client and yourself as the coach

Sometimes coaches expect mentor coaching to involve a massive overhaul.

But more often, the biggest shifts come from a few subtle adjustments:

  • asking one more follow-up question

  • staying with a topic slightly longer

  • trusting silence

  • allowing the client to arrive at their own insight

Those small moments completely change the depth and impact of a session.

Final Thoughts

This conversation reminded me of two important things:

  1. Coaches want clarity before they invest in support

  2. Many coaching breakthroughs happen through small, intentional shifts—not dramatic changes

Mentor coaching isn’t about becoming a completely different coach.

It’s about becoming more intentional, more trusting, and more skilled at recognizing what’s happening moment-to-moment inside a conversation.

And sometimes, having another set of eyes on your coaching is what makes those shifts finally visible.

Want Support With Your Coaching?

If you’re working toward your ACC, preparing for your PCC, or simply wanting more depth and impact in your sessions, I’d love to support you.

Learn more about mentor coaching

Or if you’re just starting to explore mentor coaching, you can begin with my free ACC Renewal Checklist + Tracker here:

Grab the checklist & tracker


Justine Cochrane