What are your ’10 Commandments’?

I’m not talking about the Biblical ones. Those are non-negotiable to me. What I am talking about what are the 10 (or so) things in your field or business that are ‘must do’s’ in order to be successful. I recently found a ’10 commandments’ for Graphic Designers. Now, I am no graphic artist by any means, but some of the ’10′ apply to any industry. For instance: “Thou shall acknowledge your mistakes rather than cover them up.” and “You shall never pretend you know more about your client’s business than they do.” Those are pretty good right? I mean those things seem to fit in any field.

Here’s some more that I came up with for coaches:

“Thou shall never violate the confidentiality of the coaching relationship”

“Thou shall always listen with intensity, so that the client knows that they are heard.”

“Thou shall over exceed the expectation of the client”

“Thou shall model the kind of life that you coach”

“Thou shall not talk more than 20% of the time while coaching a client”

Now, these principles are pretty specific to my field, coaching, but the bigger principles of integrity, privacy, listening first, transcend coaching into virtually any profession.

Big Question: What are the ’10 Commandments’ of your field? Leave them in the comments so we can all benefit from them!

The mission of Matthew Reed Coaching is “To make the world a more effective and God honoring place, through coaching.” I love to help people genuinely experience the life they have always wanted.

http://www.MissingSecretToParenting.com denny hagel

Excellent article and food for thought! I hadn’t thought about having 10 commandments for my business but I will surely be giving it some thought now thanks to you and this article!
http://sharonoday.com Sharon O’Day

Boy, there were a few there that bordered on “uh-oh” for me. Tells me its time for me to create my own 10 commandments list … thanks for the wake-up, Matt!

Matt

My pleasure Sharon. Let us know what you come up with!

http://www.sunshinelifecoaching.com Kim Hawkins

This really give me some things to think about Matthew. I may have to come back and tell you what I come up with. : )

Matt

Please do Kim. I’d love to hear them.

http://www.sunshinelifecoaching.com Kim Hawkins

1. Thou shall accept the answers the client seeks lie within them; as coach, my position is to ask the questions to reveal the answer.

2. Thou shall not “tell” the client what to do.

3. Thou shall gently remind the client that “I don’t know” is not a productive answer–we’re in search of solutions here.

4. Thou shall bear in mind no two endings will be identical, after all, we are dealing with individuals.

5. Thou shall not finish a client’s sentence, thought or ideas–they are here to express themselves.

6. Thou shall remember, “it’s not about you, the coach, it’s all about the client.”

7. Thou shall be mindful that body language speaks volumes.

8. Thou shall remember that a smile can be heard through the phone.

9. Thou shall remember that only God gets to write the ending–turn it over to Him in prayer.

10. Thou shall remember that when you don’t know what to say, the Holy Spirit will intercede. The quietness can speak when words are inadequate.

Matt

Great list Kim.
number 6, in particular, is great not just for coaches, but for anyone!

http://www.patriciaogilvie.com/ Patricia Ogilvie

Great stuff! nice reminder that we have 2 ears and only 1 mouth! hahaha, great job!

Matt

I spend a good half of my day biting the end off the tip of my tongue.

http://www.sarashopsinc.com Sara Nickleberry

WOW! What a great idea! I am going to work on this for my business and post it in my office as a reminder. Thanks so much Matthew!

Matt

Please post it back here too so we can all benefit. I’d love to hear your ten!

http://greatloanadvice.com Anthony E.

Great article. I think every business should have a “10 commandments list”, to help guide lost people…
http://travelforspontaneous.com Carly Miller

My favorite coaches listen first, and then offer suggestions that fit my needs, rather than their own agendas. Listening first is the best advice! Thanks

Matt

Listening is THE main skill that an effective coach brings to the table. We must set aside our own agendas entirely!

http://www.happilyeverafterme.com Stacey Shannon

“I’m not talking about the Biblical ones. Those are non-negotiable to me.” AMEN!!!

I have to say that Over-exceeding the expectation of the client is something that is at the top of my list! Thanks for sharing.. not a bad idea to make a list of these for HEAM.
http://www.sherievenner.com Sherie

Excellent ideas, Matthew! I agree with you that listening is the main skill that an effective coach has. I appreciate this list of “commandments” that you have given for coaches…right on!
http://acruisintravel.com Joyce Martin

Great idea Matthew, I have to honestly say that mine are biblical first most for my personal “10C’s”, however I will have to think about applying this to my travel agency too!
http://im-stillstanding.com shelley

what a great idea for a post and also just to have for everyone’s own businesses or life thanks matt!
shelley
http://www.richlifeadvisors.com Beau Henderson

As a financial advisor confidentiality is huge, also honesty.
http://artmarketing.heartatworkonline.org Mari-Lyn

I love your tips, for each business owner we can create our own..the other one I would add is – Thou shall not publicity put down another person in your industry..it will embarrass you.

Matt

Great one Mari-Lyn. Even if the other person IS a knucklehead, no good comes from it.

Angie

Wow. What a great idea! I love it! Can’t wait to write mine and post it above my desk!

Matt

Angie, please come back and let us know what the are!

http://www.myyogasecret.com Rhonda Uretzky

Thou shalt model the life that you coach…” Well, Coaches are human and they, too, have less-than-perfect moments – in fact, the best coaches are not afraid to be less than perfect and admit it.

Matt

Of course Rhonda. Not perfect, but effective. For instance, I can’t coach others to life improvement if I am not working at improving my life as well.

http://deep3rintel.com tony

You gave me something to think about. I now need to put mine together.
http://www.anitafiander.com Anita

Excellent post! I am going to write mine out and use it as part of the confidentiality agreement I send the women I work with. This is just an awesome tool Thanks for sharing!

Matt

Don’t be shy Anita. Share them back here so we can all benefit!
Thanks

http://howtobeasuccessfulteacher.com/ Lori

Great article! Thanks for making me start to think about what my 10 commandments are!
http://mysocialgameplan.com Jonathan Payne

I’m a big fan of Jonathan Fields’ 10 Commandments of Epic Business…you can find them here: http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/10-commandments-of-epic-business/

Matt

GREAT LINK. I hope everyone makes sure to check it out.

http://www.memarketingservices.com Mandy Edwards

Okay, I may have to copy this idea for my next blog post! I loved this! By putting out there your 10 Commandments, you are asking people to hold you accountable to what you do. In a service-based business, showing your current or prospective clients how you hold yourself accountable professionally (and publicly) you are showing them you are a good choice

Matt

Thanks for the encouragement Mandy…copy away!
My coaching ’10′ is a work in progress, but we have to let people know what we are about right?

http://www.theacornstash.com Helena

These are really great commandments Matt, and a great prod to the rest of us to create our own. This is definitely something I will be working on.
http://www.pristineperception.com Suzanne Jones

I need to do this no question. I sometimes do then I forget, then I try again but slip up then I put it on the shelf.
So thanks Matt for the reminder, this is an absolute must for me.
Carol Giambri

Love how you incorporated the 10 Commandments into coaching. Very creative. Thanks for sharing Matthew.
http://www.betterbusinessgrowthfaster.com AJ Perisho

Very good Matt!
I like yours, I may have to steal, in a nice way
When we get our direction right, it’s easier to help others get there’s right.
Thanks for sharing

Matt

‘steal’ away!

http://NormaDoiron.NET/ Norma Doiron @Learning to LIVE Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

Ouch! (-_-) I’m going to re-examine if I’m modelling the 10 commandments that I preach… Thanks for the call!
The LEARNED Preneur @ NormaDoiron.NET
http://www.mikemcdonaldfitness.com Mike McDonald

To me Thou shalt not make myself look better by bashing another. Thou shalt not put my wants or needs in front of the clients. I’m here to help others achieve their goals. Thanks for the list and I will definitely pay more attention when I stray.

Matt

Thanks Mike for your additions. Staying focused on the client! Good stuff

http://adamsorganizing.com Elise Adams @AdamsOrganizing

Love this. And I love the take so many of the commenters have taken on it as well–the direction of putting it into the positive ‘Thou Shalt’. The boost and the accountability are great! I too will be taking the concept further!

Matt

Sounds great Elise. Let me know the results

http://colourmefit.com Tara

Thanks Matt.
I’m in fitness and your commitments are applicable to my field too.

Thou shall always listen with intensity, so that the client knows that they are heard.”

“Thou shall over exceed the expectation of the client”

“Thou shall model the kind of life that you coach”

“Thou shall not talk more than 20% of the time while coaching a client”

I have to aim for my client’s success, more than my client does.

I have to motivate and support my client, it’s easy to get demotivated in my field.

Matt

I love the thought
“I have to aim for my client’s success, more than my client does.”
Really great!

Edmund Lee

It’s giving much sense and I love it.
http://www.el3mentsofwellness.com Carl Mason-Liebenberg

Love this post! All that you mentioned certainly apply and serve as great reminders. Very thought provoking! THank you!
http://www.thestressreliefprogram.com Lisa Birnesser

I love this idea, Matt. Coaching ethics are very important. Thanks so much for this post!
http://www.mysoulmission.org Jen Bennett

LOVE this Matt! I’m really going to think about this as I think it’s a great way to really hone in what you are all about in business! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.topmattressreviews.net/ Alanna

Nice to read your blog
http://www.everydaygyaan.com Corinne Rodrigues

Fantastic idea, Matthew. I can feel a post coming on …and when I write it I’ll naturally link to you. Thanks for the inspiration! ♥

Matt

Thanks Corinne! I appreciate the encouragement. Give me a shout when you post and I’ll tweet it.

http://www.JenniferHerndon.com Jennifer

Great ideas Matt, and even more good stuff in the comments! I have a document my client signs that sets out what we can expect from each other. You’ve given me a good idea to turn this into something I can give them to show how I run my business so they can initially evaluate whether we’re a good fit and can know me better before we start working together.

What are your ’10 Commandments’?

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