Tag Archive for: elite coaching

WTF Metrics

The Numbers That Actually Matter in Your Coaching Business

Forget everything you think you know about measuring coaching success. While everyone else is obsessing over follower counts and revenue targets, the coaches who are actually changing lives and building sustainable businesses are tracking completely different numbers. These “WTF Metrics” – the weird, unexpected, and unconventional data points – reveal more about your coaching impact than any vanity metric ever will.

The “Fuck This” Frequency

What it measures: How many times clients say “fuck this” or similar before making a breakthrough.

This might sound counterintuitive, but the best coaches track their clients’ resistance patterns. Every transformation requires breaking through old patterns, and resistance shows up as frustration, anger or the classic “fuck this” moment.

Smart coaches know that three to five major resistance episodes typically precede significant breakthroughs.

Track this by noting when clients express strong negative emotions about the process, complain about homework or want to quit. The coaches who understand this pattern don’t panic when clients get pissed off – they celebrate it as a sign that real change is happening.

Why it matters: Traditional metrics miss the messy middle of transformation. This metric helps you normalize the process for clients and predict when breakthroughs are coming.

Silence Duration Index

What it measures: How long clients can sit in uncomfortable silence during sessions.

Most coaches think talking equals progress. Wrong. The magic happens in the spaces between words, when clients are processing, integrating, or finally facing something they’ve been avoiding. Track how long your clients can tolerate silence without jumping in to fill the space.

New clients might only handle 5-10 seconds. Clients who are doing deep work can sit in silence for 60+ seconds while they excavate truth. The longer the silence tolerance, the deeper the work is going.

Why it matters: This metric reveals emotional maturity, self-awareness and willingness to go deep – all predictors of lasting change.

The Ugly Cry Coefficient

What it measures: Frequency and intensity of emotional releases during sessions.

Track when clients have emotional breakthroughs, not just tears, but the full-body, makeup-destroying, snot-fest ugly cries that happen when someone finally feels safe enough to fall apart. These moments are gold.

Rate them on a scale:
Watery eyes (1)
Single tears (2)
Crying (3)
Sobbing (4)
Ugly cry breakthrough (5)

Clients who hit level 4-5 emotional releases consistently show faster and more lasting transformations.

Why it matters: Emotional release is often the gateway to breakthrough. Coaches who create space for ugly crying create space for healing.

Excuse Velocity Decline

What it measures: How quickly clients stop making excuses for their circumstances.

At the beginning, clients arrive with a full arsenal of reasons why they can’t change. Track how long it takes for excuse-making to decrease by 50%. Is it three sessions? Six? Twelve?

Create an “excuse inventory” early on. Catalog their greatest hits. Then track how these shift from, “I can’t because…” to “I could if…” to “I will by…”

This progression reveals readiness for change.

Why it matters: Excuse velocity directly correlates with results velocity. When excuses slow down, transformation speeds up.

The Uncomfortable Truth Ratio

What it measures: Percentage of session time spent discussing things clients don’t want to talk about.

Most coaching stays surface-level because coaches are afraid to make clients uncomfortable. Track what percentage of each session is spent on topics that make your client squirm. The sweet spot is 30-40% discomfort.

Too little discomfort means you’re enabling. Too much means you’re traumatizing. But that 30-40% zone is where growth lives.

Why it matters: Comfort is the enemy of growth. This metric ensures you’re pushing boundaries without breaking people.

Energy Archaeology Score

What it measures: How much energy clients reclaim from addressing old wounds, limiting beliefs or toxic patterns.

Before starting work, have clients rate their energy levels on a scale of 1-10. Then track monthly. But here’s the twist: also track “energy archaeology.” How much energy they recover by cleaning up their past.

Clients dealing with unresolved trauma, toxic relationships or limiting beliefs are leaking energy constantly. As they address these issues, they don’t just gain energy, they reclaim it.

The energy archaeology score measures this reclamation.

Why it matters: Energy is the foundation of everything else. A client who goes from 3/10 to 8/10 energy will automatically see improvements in every life area.

Boundary Establishment Velocity

What it measures: Speed at which clients start saying no to things that don’t serve them.

Track the first “no” – when clients first set a boundary they wouldn’t have set before coaching. Then measure how quickly they establish additional boundaries. This progression typically accelerates exponentially.

Month 1: Maybe one small boundary
Month 3: Setting boundaries weekly
Month 6: Boundaries become automatic

Why it matters: Boundary-setting ability predicts every other area of success. Clients who master boundaries master their lives.

The Authenticity Emergence Rate

What it measures: How quickly clients start showing up as themselves instead of who they think they should be.

This is subtle but powerful. Track moments when clients share authentic thoughts, make choices aligned with their values (not others’ expectations) or simply stop performing.

Look for phrases like “I actually think…”, “What I really want is…”, or “I don’t care what people think anymore.” These authentic moments usually cluster together once they start appearing.

Why it matters: Authenticity is the foundation of fulfillment. Clients who find their authentic voice create lives that actually fit them.

Implementation Despite Imperfection Index

What it measures: How often clients take action before they feel ready.

Perfectionist clients will plan forever without acting. Track how quickly clients move from “I need to figure this out first” to “I’ll figure it out as I go.”

Measure the time between getting an assignment and taking the first imperfect action.

High-performing clients take messy action quickly. Struggling clients research, plan and prepare indefinitely.

Why it matters: Done is better than perfect, and action creates clarity faster than thinking ever will.

The Real Talk Frequency

What it measures: How often clients bring up topics they’re genuinely struggling with versus topics they think they should be working on.

Many clients perform in coaching. They discuss what they think they should focus on, rather than what’s actually keeping them up at night. Track when conversations shift from “should” problems to “actual” problems.

Real talk sounds like: “Can I tell you what’s really going on?” or “I didn’t want to mention this but…” These moments indicate growing trust and self-awareness.

Why it matters: You can’t solve problems that aren’t being honestly discussed. Real talk frequency predicts breakthrough potential.

These WTF Metrics might seem unconventional, but they reveal the human truth behind transformation. While everyone else counts likes and dollars, you’ll be tracking the metrics that actually matter: the ones that show when someone is getting ready to completely change their life.

Start tracking just two or three of these in your next client sessions. You’ll be amazed at what the numbers reveal about the real work of coaching.

Ethical Guidelines for Trauma-Informed Coaching

Trauma-informed coaching is about creating a safe and supportive space for clients, while respecting the boundaries of your role as a coach. Following clear, ethical guidelines helps protect both you and your clients, ensuring the work is impactful and professional.

Bonus: You become the one person who “gets” your clients. This modality, when done with integrity and compassion, builds a undying loyalty and consistent referrals. People just want to feel heard and seen. Help them by becoming Trauma-Informed.

Understand Your Scope

As a coach, your role is to guide, support and empower clients, not to diagnose or treat trauma. Be clear about your boundaries and avoid stepping into therapeutic territory.

Your role involves creating an environment where clients feel heard and validated, while recognizing that deeper trauma processing requires the expertise of licensed mental health professionals.

When working with clients, explicitly communicate your scope of practice at the outset of the relationship. This clarity helps set appropriate expectations and builds trust.

For example, if a client begins discussing unresolved trauma that seems beyond your ability to address, gently explain that while you can support them in specific ways, they may benefit from additional professional help.

Recognize When to Refer

Referrals are a critical component of trauma-informed coaching. Knowing when and how to refer a client to a mental health professional ensures their needs are met ethically and effectively.

Below are key indicators that a client may require additional support:

  1. Intense Emotional Dysregulation: If a client is unable to manage overwhelming emotions during or after sessions, it may indicate the need for therapeutic intervention.
  2. Recurring Trauma Flashbacks: Persistent flashbacks or dissociative episodes are beyond the scope of coaching and require specialized care.
  3. Stagnation or Regression: If a client shows little progress despite consistent effort, it may signal unresolved trauma requiring deeper exploration with a therapist.
  4. Self-Harm or Suicidal Ideation: Immediate referral is necessary when a client exhibits signs of self-harm or expresses suicidal thoughts. Be prepared to act swiftly and responsibly.
  5. Substance Abuse or Addictive Behaviors: These often require comprehensive treatment plans and the involvement of specialized professionals.

Referring a client isn’t a failure. It’s a testament to your commitment to their well-being.

Building a trusted network of licensed therapists, counselors and other mental health professionals ensures you have resources ready when needed. Familiarize yourself with their areas of expertise and maintain open communication to facilitate smooth transitions for your clients.

Providing clients with multiple options, where possible, empowers them to choose the right fit for their needs.

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical dilemmas can arise unexpectedly in trauma-informed work. For example, a client may disclose current abuse, self-harm, or suicidal ideation.

Here are key steps to navigate these situations:

  • Prioritize Transparency: Let clients know at the beginning of your coaching relationship about any limits to confidentiality, such as mandatory reporting laws.
  • Client Safety Comes First: If a client’s safety is at risk, take appropriate action. This may involve reporting to authorities, contacting a mental health professional or involving emergency services.
  • Seek Guidance: Consult with a supervisor, mentor or peer network to ensure your decisions align with ethical best practices. Document these consultations for accountability and clarity.

Respect Client Autonomy

Empower your clients to make their own decisions and set the pace for their healing journey. Avoid pushing them to explore areas they are not ready to confront.

This approach fosters a sense of safety and collaboration. Key principles include:

  • Active Listening: Reflect and validate clients’ experiences without judgment or assumptions.
  • Encouraging Agency: Use questions and exercises that help clients identify their own solutions and next steps.
  • Pacing: Allow clients to progress at a speed that feels safe and manageable for them.

Ongoing Education

The field of trauma research is always evolving, and staying informed is essential to maintaining ethical and effective practices.

Commit to continuous professional development by:

  • Attending workshops and conferences focused on trauma and its impacts.
  • Reading recent studies, books, and resources from experts like Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score) and Peter Levine (Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma).
  • Engaging in peer learning through supervision groups or online forums.
  • Pursuing certifications or advanced training in trauma-informed approaches.

By adhering to these ethical guidelines, you create a coaching relationship built on trust, safety, and integrity.

Trauma-informed coaching is a collaborative process that respects the unique journey of each client. When coaches remain within their scope, refer appropriately, and commit to ongoing learning, clients feel supported, understood, and empowered to move forward.

References:

  • van der Kolk, B. A. (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books.
  • Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.
  • SAMHSA. (2014). Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov

Ready to become a trauma-informed coach?

Are your clients hitting emotional walls that slow their progress? You know they have incredible potential, but something is blocking their breakthroughs.

In our Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification program, you’ll learn to recognize trauma responses and integrate practical tools that allow you to help your clients push through their emotional barriers for lasting transformation.

Do your clients struggle with stress, burnout, or emotional rigidity that undermines their leadership? Unresolved trauma can impact a leader’s ability to perform at their best. Our Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification program shows you how to recognize trauma in leadership, provide emotional regulation tools and create healthier work environments – so your clients can lead with clarity and confidence.

Do you see clients who are emotionally stuck or overwhelmed but don’t know how to guide them past these roadblocks? In our Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification program, you’ll gain strategies to help your clients work through their emotional barriers—empowering them to find balance, resilience and inner peace so they can thrive in all areas of their life.

The next cohort begins Feb. 27.

Join us and become part of the 1%. Your clients need you now more than ever.