The Art of Triage: What My Family Doctor Taught Me About REAL Coaching

Want to know what REALLY separates great coaches from the rest?

It's not fancy programming or technical knowledge...

It's something I learned from my old family doctor.

Let me tell you a story that changed how I think about coaching forever.

When I was a kid, our family doctor knew us by name.

Not just knew us - he REMEMBERED us.

Every visit felt like catching up with a trusted friend who happened to have a medical degree.

But my dentist? That was a whole different story.

The front door was locked.

The doorbell might as well have been a drill (you know the sound!).

No bedside manner, just straight to business.

That needle crossing your face while you're lying there helpless... Every. Single. Time.

Here's the real deal...

As coaches, we have a choice.

We can be like that family doctor or like that dentist.

The doctor used something called "triage" - a way of quickly understanding what's really going on with a patient.

And let me tell you, this is GOLD for coaches!

Think about it...

When Tina walks into your gym, and her usual bubbly hello is more of a mumble, what's your move?

Do you:

A) Plow ahead with the planned session

B) Take a moment to read the situation

I've made the mistake of choosing A before.

Trust me, it doesn't end well.

But here's the magic of building REAL relationships with your clients...

That first 10-15 seconds tells you EVERYTHING you need to know.

Maybe they had a rough night's sleep.

Maybe something happened on the drive over.

Maybe life's just being... life.

Want to know the real secret?

It's about coming alongside them. A quiet "Hey Tommy, everything good mate?" during a group session.

Or a gentle "Tina, I noticed you seem a bit withdrawn today - want to talk about it?" in a one-on-one.

Here's your challenge:

In your next session, really WATCH how your clients engage with you.

Notice their normal patterns.

When something's off, don't ignore it.

Because here's the truth - being a professional coach isn't just about sets and reps.

It's about investing in those relationships that make what we do matter.

You got this!

Cheers! Paul

P.S. Remember, if a client doesn't want to share what's bothering them, that's okay too. Just knowing you noticed and cared? That's what builds those lasting connections we're all about!