10 Wrap-up Questions for Coaching: What to Ask in that Final Session (with example responses)

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Emma-Louise
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Coach and Client in Final Coaching Session coaching questions shaking hands at desk

What do YOU do when it comes time to wrap-up with a client? Do you have a process? What wrap-up questions do you ask? Do you dedicate a session to reviewing what's been learned and achieved during the coaching relationship? And how do you set your clients up for life post-coaching?

Personally, I dedicate an entire session to reviewing and solidifying what each client got from their coaching experience. And I like to get them thinking about their priorities and goals in life going forwards. And while the wrap-up session is different with each client, here's a link to our FREE Wrap-Up Session Questions Form which serves as 1) a process 2) wrap-up question prompts and 3) a 'container' for the client's responses.

Begin with the end in mind...

I let the client know in our very first session that their wrap-up session is important. I ask them to allow for one slightly longer session when they're ready to end the coaching so we can review progress, successes and set them up going forwards.

Sometimes clients ask if I charge for the wrap-up session—and the answer is yes. Although I don't charge extra—even though this session usually takes 1-1.5 hours instead of the usual 50 minute session.

Jump straight to the Real-Life Responses here >>

How I use the Wrap-up Session Questions

So I don't necessarily use all the questions on the form. I dance in the moment, changing or adding in a question or two as I go.

Occasionally I'll send the form to clients complete for themselves and ask them to email it back. But more usually I roughly type the client's key responses directly onto the form during the session (after checking that's OK with them) and then I tidy it up afterwards and send it to them electronically. This means they have a record and can stay in flow when answering the questions.

Another option is to simply send your clients a recording of their wrap-up session.

Here's the List of Wrap-up Questions I Choose From

  1. What have you achieved/are proud of during the coaching period? (think broadly)
  2. What specifically have you achieved or are doing differently as a direct result of the coaching? (review goals here)
  3. What are your top 3 goals and dreams in life right now? (personal AND work)
  4. What are your top 5 priorities in life as you now understand them?
  5. What limiting beliefs have you let go of (eg. about yourself, life, others)? I NO LONGER BELIEVE:
  6. What positive new beliefs do you have (eg. about yourself, life, others)? I NOW BELIEVE:
  7. What specifically have you learned about yourself?  (that you perhaps haven’t mentioned yet)
  8. How is your life different as a result of the learnings you've made during the coaching period? What have you learned that you'll carry forwards in life?
  9. What has been the best bit of the coaching for you?
  10. What are the best things about your life?
  11. If you were to give yourself a message or mantra to carry forward and sum everything up?
  12. What else would you like to make a note of that would be useful to you going forwards?

Get your FREE copy of the Wrap-up Session Questions Form here:

Here are some REAL responses to the wrap-up questions*:

What am I most proud of achieving during the coaching period? (think broadly)

  1. Being able to have enough confidence and courage to tell people what I think!
  2. Moved out, made a decision around relationship (I deserve better)
  3. Knowing what I want and going for it instead of letting life go by!
  4. Feeling more confident, trusting self more - and worrying less!
  5. A new career/job

What limiting beliefs have I let go of (eg. about myself, life, others)?  I NO LONGER BELIEVE:

  1. I can't do it—I now have less fear of failure.
  2. I don't deserve to be happy!
  3. It's impossible to find a job!
  4. That there are things I HAVE to do.
  5. It's my job to make everyone happy. I am moving to pleasing people in a healthy way, rather than from fear.

What are my top 5 priorities in life as I now understand them?

  1. Career
  2. Creativity
  3. Me-Time
  4. Building Belief in Myself
  5. Consistency. Harmony.

What positive new beliefs do I have (eg. about myself, life, others)?  I NOW BELIEVE:

  1. I deserve to be happy.
  2. It's important to FEEL good! I am a package—it's not about how I look! (More and more I have stopped comparing myself to others).
  3. I am OK as I am!
  4. I believe in the value of my opinion and knowledge.
  5. I can deal with problems, work out a solution. Even if the worst happens (like losing a client) I ask myself, "Do I want to work with them anyway?" And I know I can handle it.

* The responses above are from a variety of clients—and I have removed all/any identifying information.

What is the client experience of these questions/process?

My clients always LOVED this process—eventually. While occasionally a client was unsure about the value (or enjoyability) of a "review session", once they got going it was usually hard to get them to stop! Who wouldn't want to receive a summary of their 'wisdom' and learning?

I have even had emails years later saying people had just been through their coaching notes and how useful it is!

So if you don't have a specific review or wrap-up session I can't recommend it highly enough.

Just because we increase the speed of information doesn’t mean we can increase the speed of decisions. Pondering, reflecting and ruminating are undervalued skills in our culture. Dale Dauten

What do you do in the wrap-up session? How do you do it? Tell us in the comments below.

Get Your Free Wrap-up Questions Form here >>

Wrap-up Session Questions Coaching Form Page 1

If you liked these final coaching session questions, you may also like these articles:

And this is just one of our many coaching tools! Learn more about what coaching tools are, when to use them and how they can help in our Complete Guide to Coaching Tools here >>

Emma-Louise Elsey Headshot

Contributing Author:

Emma-Louise Elsey has been coaching since 2003 and is the Founder of The Coaching Tools Company and Fierce Kindness.com. She's passionate about coaching and personal development. Originally a project and relationship manager for Fortune 500 companies she combined her love of coaching, creativity and systems to create over 100 brandable coaching tools, forms and exercises including 30+ completely free coaching tools. She now serves coaches and the coaching world through her exclusive newsletter for coaches, Coaches Helping Coaches Facebook Group and many other great tools for coaches, plus resources and ideas for your coaching toolbox. The Coaching Tools Company is an official ICF Business Solutions Partner.

Learn more about Emma-Louise & see all their articles here >>

Categories: Celebrating, Coaching Ideas & Inspiration, Coaching Tools 101, How to Use Coaching Tools, Lists of Coaching Questions, Measuring Progress, Wrap-up Session

Image of Client and Coach in final coaching session asking final coaching session questions and shaking hands by fizkes via Shutterstock

6 Comments

  1. Mwamba

    As a new student, I find myself want to use every piece of information. I therefore like the fact that you do not use every question but are directed by the situation.

    The questions as much they are about me, can also be used to help the coachee or client reflect on their progress.

    Reply
    • Emma-Louise

      Hi Mwamba, thank-you for your comment - and yes, you can use these questions for you or your coachee! Enjoy 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise

      Reply
  2. S Ndimande

    Thank you for sharing the wrap-up questions. They give the coach a 'look-forward-to' the closure meeting which I view as a mirror for the coach, whatever the coachee's responses are. I will be able to answer 'have I impacted a life for the better'. I will not judge myself based on the coachee's answer. It's good to know. For the coachee I see these questions as a life-journey-pitstop to revisit at their own discretion.

    Reply
    • Emma-Louise

      So glad you found this article about questions to wrap-up a coaching engagement helpful! Enjoy and thank-you for taking the time to comment 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise

      Reply
  3. Emily Bennette

    I liked that you pointed out that it would be smart to be consistent. That does seem like it would help the people you are coaching do better. I would want to know how often I should be doing things or things I shouldn't do.

    Reply
    • mturcott

      Thank you, Emily!

      We're so glad you liked this article on wrapping up your final session with clients!

      Warmly, Mary

      Reply

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