Building a meaningful coaching relationship starts before the first conversation. Whether you are a business coach, life coach, career strategist, or wellness expert, the initial questions you ask a new client can shape the entire coaching experience. These early questions not only help you understand who you are working with, but they also give the client a sense of clarity about their own goals and expectations.
Asking the right questions before a call allows you to show up prepared, deliver value from day one, and create a strong foundation for trust and results. It also helps you assess compatibility and uncover how best to support your client’s journey.
So, what questions should you ask? Here are eight powerful questions every coach should include in their pre-call process, and why they matter.
1. What are your top goals for this coaching call?
This is perhaps the most important question to ask upfront. A coaching call is only successful when it serves a specific purpose. Asking a client about their goals gives you insight into what matters most to them right now.
Do they need clarity on a big decision? Are they navigating a career shift? Are they struggling with consistency in their business or personal life? These questions immediately shift the focus to outcomes. It helps you prepare mentally and practically for the conversation, ensuring the time spent is purposeful and aligned with their current needs.
2. How will you know this call was successful?
It is one thing to know what a client wants, but it is another thing to understand how they will measure progress or success. By asking this question, you invite the client to define what “success” looks like. That might mean walking away with a specific action plan, gaining new insight, or feeling more confident about a decision. When expectations are clearly defined, you can better deliver results that feel meaningful and measurable to your client.
3. Why is this important to you right now?
Timing often reveals motivation. When a client reaches out for coaching, there is usually a trigger, like an internal desire for change or an external challenge demanding attention. Asking why this goal or issue matters right now helps uncover their deeper motivations. Are they feeling stuck? Have they reached a breaking point? Are they preparing for a life transition?
Understanding the urgency behind their goals allows you to bring empathy into the session and address both the surface-level needs and the emotional undercurrent driving them.
4. What impact would achieving this goal have on your life or work?
This question invites the client to think beyond the task at hand and consider the broader outcome. It ties the coaching session to something meaningful and impactful. Maybe landing a new job would restore their confidence. Perhaps launching a business would give them freedom or time with family. Understanding this ripple effect helps you coach with heart and strategy. This also keeps the client connected to their “why” during moments of doubt or difficulty in their journey.
5. What are the main obstacles or challenges in your way?
Great coaching involves helping clients navigate roadblocks, both internal and external. By identifying these early, you gain a realistic view of where they stand. Are they dealing with fear, procrastination, lack of support, or knowledge gaps? Knowing the challenges allows you to bring the right tools, mindset shifts, or frameworks into the conversation. It also helps the client feel seen and understood, which builds trust from the beginning.
6. What would you like from me as your coach during this session?
Every client has a different coaching style preference. Some want to be challenged. Others need a safe space to reflect. Some prefer structured guidance. Others are looking for brainstorming support.
This question invites your client to express their expectations. It gives you the chance to show flexibility and adapt your approach. It also prevents miscommunication and ensures that your support feels valuable and aligned with their needs. When a client feels heard, they are more likely to stay committed to the coaching process.
7. What is your desired timeline for achieving this goal?
Time matters. Whether your client wants a quick win or is thinking long-term, understanding their ideal timeline helps you structure your support accordingly. This insight allows you to set realistic milestones, design the right pace for sessions, and recommend the most effective strategies. It also helps with accountability. You and your client can track progress and adjust the plan based on what is working or what needs to shift.
8. Have you tried anything so far to solve this? If yes, what worked or did not work?
This question is often overlooked but incredibly useful. It provides context. Knowing what the client has already attempted and what the outcomes were gives you a clearer sense of what gaps need to be filled. Maybe they tried to solve the problem using the wrong strategy. Maybe they had the right plan but lacked consistency or confidence. Their past efforts hold valuable clues for what to focus on in your sessions and what patterns might need to be broken.
Set the Stage for Impactful Coaching
These eight questions go beyond just gathering information. They help you create a space where your client feels supported, understood, and empowered, before you even say hello on the call. By including these questions in your intake or discovery process, you show professionalism, intention, and care. You also save time during the call because you already have a sense of who your client is and what they need most.
Use Coachli to Streamline This Process
On Coachli, coaches can easily add custom questions to their booking forms. This allows you to collect important insights before the session, so you can focus on coaching rather than trying to figure things out on the spot.
Whether you are a new coach or already booked with clients, Coachli gives you the tools to manage your calendar, intake process, payments, and client progress — all in one place.
If you are ready to start or grow your coaching business, join Coachli today. Monetize your time, expertise, and experience while delivering real transformation to those who need it most.
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