
Coffee House Coaching
Coffee House Coaching is an Executive Coaching podcast where I speak with fellow Executive Coaches about their practice, their process and how they help their clients. I also speak with individuals impacted by coaching and how it has improved their lives. My goal is to shine some light on the wonderful world of Executive Coaching and explain what it is and how it works. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversations about Executive Coaching.
Coffee House Coaching
Ep 161 Rachel Stone Gr8 Q's - "It's Their Time not yours"
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Gary Nowak
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Season 4
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Episode 161
The Great Eight – Breakdown
- Best Coaching Advice Ever Received
- Be fully present—it’s their time, not yours.
- Meditation helps her access deep listening and minimize distractions.
- She watches for “thinking ahead” as a signal that she’s drifting.
- What She’s Still Improving
- Continually working to stay present.
- Resisting the instinct to solve problems or add her own ideas.
- Coaching is about holding—not hijacking—the space.
- Most Outrageous Thing in a Session
- Told a CEO during a pitch, “What have you done about that?”—boldly shifting accountability.
- It was quiet. Then he hired her for three years.
- She believes in delivering truth with service and courage, even early on.
- What Still Makes Her Uncomfortable
- When clients arrive unprepared and deflect blame.
- Feels uncomfortable when coaching is undervalued or used as a scapegoat.
- Handles it with gentle redirection or recontracting—but always with compassion.
- Advice to Aspiring Coaches
- “You can be the best coach in the world, but if you’re not known, you won’t have clients.”
- Understand marketing—it’s essential, not optional.
- Coaching is only 15% of the job; 85% is everything else (especially if you run your own business).
- What She’s Had to Conquer
- Her self-worth. Struggled to charge for her services early on.
- Learning not to view coaching as an “hour-for-money” exchange.
- Realized clients pay for the wisdom, investment, and depth—not just the session.
- How She Uses AI
- Still early stages—mainly using it for planning and content brainstorming.
- Asked ChatGPT to interview her so she could better articulate her niche and market positioning.
- Sees the value in time efficiency but draws a line to protect authenticity.
- What She’s Learned About Herself
- Boundaries matter—both with clients and in life.
- She can’t coach everyone, everywhere, all the time.
- Coaching has deepened her sense of purpose and even led to love: one of her past clients is now her life partner.
🎉 Fun Stuff
Guilty Pleasure:
Sea swimming—preferably naked.
Rachel says if it’s appropriate and she’s near the water, the swimsuit just might stay on the beach.