What I always go back to – and even this leaves lots of room for mistakes – is that the coaching relationship exists for the benefit of the client. It isn’t about me learning new skills – it’s about serving the client.

And then there’s trust. Without trust, no coaching can occur.

Those two things are always part of my boundaries, I guess I’d say, on where I go with questions.

Another thing that comes up for me with coaching, is that it is a partnership. Co-creating a relationship.

If I find these things exist, I’m more inclined to take a chance with my instincts. And I have made mistakes. But if these are in place in a way that I think I’m being authentic, I’ve had good results with following my instincts, as opposed to a prescribed path.