245. Stop Hiding Your Coaching Failures: Why Transparency Creates Client Trust

Do you ever find yourself thinking, “No one can know I’m struggling with this”? I’ve been there. But this thought might be one of the most dangerous beliefs you can carry as a coach. It’s normal to think you can’t show vulnerability, but what I’ve learned over time is that transparency doesn’t make us less of a coach. It makes us more human and more relatable to our clients.   In this episode, I dive into why trying to hide our fails from our clients only isolates us, increases pressure, and ultimately weakens our ability to serve them. I’ll also share how my own struggles with transparency have shaped my approach to coaching, and how embracing vulnerability has created deeper connections with my clients. Perfection is a myth, and it’s time we start normalizing the messy parts of coaching and business.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/245

What if the thing you’re best at is the one you’re overlooking because it feels too easy or too obvious? In this episode, I’m sharing a playful story about my two dogs (yes, really!) to help illustrate a powerful truth: your coaching genius is already within you.   In this episode, you’ll learn how to recognize the skills and traits that come naturally to you and why those are the exact things that can make your coaching stand out. I’ll walk you through real patterns I see in my clients (and myself), and help you reframe the belief that “if it’s easy, it can’t be valuable.”   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/244  

What if the answer to most of your coaching questions isn’t a strategy, but a mindset? In this replay, I’m sharing one of the most powerful responses I give inside my programs and masterminds - one that applies to countless coaching challenges: “There’s no right way. Are you willing to figure it out?”     Whether you’re unsure about your next offer, questioning your coaching style, or second-guessing your decisions, this episode will help you see where that one answer might apply to your current dilemma. I’ll walk you through common questions I hear all the time and show you how shifting into experimentation and curiosity can unlock your next step.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/243  

Many coaches hesitate to ask for testimonials, feeling they’re self-promotional or uncomfortable to request. This hesitation often comes from misunderstandings about what testimonials are really for. What if I told you they aren’t about you at all? In fact, testimonials are a gift - not only to you, but to your clients as well.   What you're about to discover will transform how you think about, ask for, and use testimonials in your business. I'm sharing specific strategies, alternative approaches for different niches (yes, even the private ones), and why celebrating your clients' growth through testimonials actually deepens their transformation. Plus, you'll hear Amanda Gold's powerful testimonial at the end that demonstrates exactly what I mean about testimonials being a gift.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/242

Sometimes, coaches like us hold ourselves back because we think our 'inherent flaws' are unchangeable barriers to success. In today's episode, I explore why we tend to blame ourselves when things aren't working in our coaching business and how this self-blame creates a self-fulfilling prophecy that keeps us stuck.   You'll discover a powerful reframe question that helps break this self-blame cycle, along with specific examples from my clients who have transformed their businesses by embracing their perceived flaws as strengths. I'll also share practical ways to redirect your thinking when self-blame arises so you can embrace your authentic self in your coaching practice.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/241

In this episode, I share a powerful yet simple method for evaluating what truly energizes you in your business. By conducting an energy audit, you'll identify which activities, clients, and tasks light you up versus drain you—so you can build a a coaching practice that feels aligned and sustainable.   This process works for auditing everything from client sessions to content creation. By rating different aspects of your coaching practice, you'll discover where you can make strategic shifts in how you operate and transform your coaching business.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/240  

How do you know when it's time to reimagine your coaching business? After numerous conversations with colleagues and clients in my Reimagine program, I've noticed a pattern of coaches feeling exhausted, bored, or burnt out from doing the same things repeatedly without making strategic shifts when friction appears.   In this episode, I share the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that indicate it's time for change in your coaching business. Whether you're experiencing resistance to certain tasks or feeling constant friction, this episode offers guidance on moving forward strategically and avoiding burnout while maintaining what works.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/239

What happens when a strategy coach combines AI and astrology to help clients build better systems? Amazing things. In this episode, I sit down with Robin Langford (also known as WickedVeracity) for a fascinating conversation that weaves through multiple disciplines and approaches to coaching.   In this episode, Robin shares insights about her coaching approach, her experience in my Reimagine Mastermind, and how she's expanding her business with new offers including an AI membership. You'll hear about the intersection of astrology, AI, and coaching, and how Robin uses these tools to help clients discover their unique design and create systems that work for them rather than trying to fit into someone else's mold.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/238

I'm buzzing with excitement about major shifts coming to my business, podcast, and offerings. While I can't reveal all the details just yet, I want to bring you along for the journey as these transformations unfold. These upcoming changes are inspired by my Reimagine process – a framework I've developed and used with clients that's now guiding my own business evolution.   Today, I'm sharing the three essential steps of the Reimagine framework that can transform not just your coaching business but any area of your life. Whether you're looking to revamp an existing offer, create something entirely new, or help your clients navigate change, these steps provide a clear path forward.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/237

I've been surprised by how many people have questioned my decision to offer quarterly one-on-one coaching spots through 2025, suggesting I might be "going backwards" in my business. This couldn't be further from the truth.   In this episode, I share the strategic and personal reasons behind my decision to add customized one-on-one coaching back into my business model. Whether you're considering adding one-on-one coaching to supplement group programs, or you need to pivot temporarily for financial reasons, there's nothing about this that constitutes "going backwards. This episode is all about making responsive, strategic decisions that align with your values and business needs.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/236