

Mastering Coaching Skills
Lindsay Dotzlaf
If you want to compete in the coaching industry, you need to be GOOD at coaching.
But there are some things you simply couldn't know when you were training to be a coach - and while it's tempting to keep studying, take another course, or dive into a certification program, you really need to build the practical skills and confidence to handle whatever your clients throw at you.
Each week life coach Lindsay Dotzlaf shares stories, tips and advice to continually develop your skills as a coach. She knows what it's like to feel overwhelmed and anxious about coaching in the moment, and will teach you why shifting your mindset around your own abilities as a coach will make all the difference.
If you've got clients but want to become the absolute best coach you can be, you'll find answers, advice and support here. Learn more at lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com!
But there are some things you simply couldn't know when you were training to be a coach - and while it's tempting to keep studying, take another course, or dive into a certification program, you really need to build the practical skills and confidence to handle whatever your clients throw at you.
Each week life coach Lindsay Dotzlaf shares stories, tips and advice to continually develop your skills as a coach. She knows what it's like to feel overwhelmed and anxious about coaching in the moment, and will teach you why shifting your mindset around your own abilities as a coach will make all the difference.
If you've got clients but want to become the absolute best coach you can be, you'll find answers, advice and support here. Learn more at lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 9, 2025 • 26min
254. 4 Rules for Influencing How Your Clients Show Up
This disconnect between how we think clients should behave and how they actually show up is something I see coaches struggle with constantly - whether they're brand new or have been coaching for years. We create these unspoken rules and expectations for our clients, then feel disappointed when they don't follow them. The truth is, your clients' behavior isn't about you - it's about them being human. And the good news? You have way more influence over how your clients show up than you think. Through the four simple strategies I share in this episode, you can help your clients become better at being clients while also examining your own patterns and assumptions. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/254

Sep 2, 2025 • 15min
253. Coaching Tools: The 3 Question Reset
Sometimes coaching sessions just don't go the way you expect. Your client might show up overwhelmed, jump between topics, or even tell you, "I don't have anything to coach on." In those moments, it's easy to doubt yourself, and wonder how to steer the session without losing your confidence or momentum. That's why I'm sharing a simple coaching skill I call the 3 Question Reset. It's part of my new podcast series, Coaching Tools, where I teach practical frameworks and methods you can start using in your sessions right away to get real results. The 3 Question Reset helps you refocus the conversation and turns tricky, confusing moments into actionable insight - no matter the client or situation. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/253

Aug 26, 2025 • 40min
252. The Hidden Cost of Success: Navigating the Vulnerability Tax
You know that feeling when you hit a milestone in your business and suddenly everything feels different? In this episode, I'm exploring what I call the "vulnerability tax" - the hidden cost of success that makes established coaches close off just when they need openness most. The more success we create, the more we feel we have to lose by admitting we don't have all the answers. Through my own experiences – like that first $100k year when everything suddenly stopped working – I've learned that the most successful business owners are actually the most open to being wrong. Discover why the vulnerability tax exists and how to break out of the performance cage that's keeping you from the strategic support and authentic connections you need to keep growing. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/252

Aug 19, 2025 • 25min
251. Why Self-Concept Work Can't Solve Your Coaching Problems
There's a common pattern I see with many coaches, especially when they hit a roadblock in their business. They dive into introspection and mindset work instead of asking, "How do I solve this?" But relying solely on self-concept work can sometimes keep you stuck. In this episode, I'm going to share why self-concept work isn't a one-size-fits-all solution and when it might actually be holding you back. You'll also learn how to balance mindset work with practical, actionable steps that lead to tangible results in your business. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/251

Aug 12, 2025 • 40min
250. The Permission You Need to Evolve Your Coaching
My entire business is built on helping coaches find their own way of doing things. But the more coaches ask me for permission to do things their way, the more I realize just how many "rules" we've picked up along the way about the "right" way to do things. In this milestone 250th episode, I'm giving you full permission to trust yourself and your evolution as a business owner. You'll discover why outgrowing your current model isn't failure but evolution and why sitting in the unknown without forcing the next step might be exactly what you need. This episode is your permission slip to come back to whenever you need to hear that your way of doing business is valid, even if you've never seen it modeled before. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/250

Aug 5, 2025 • 39min
249. How to Sell with Authenticity with Justine Beauregard (Part 2)
In this second part of my conversation with sales expert Justine Beauregard, we explore how to sell with authenticity. Justine, who helps scale businesses to as much as $300 million, shares more of her proven approach to sales, focusing on how to secure the right clients without relying on manipulative tactics. You'll learn to see sales as a natural extension of your work of supporting others by offering them something they need, rather than pushing a sale. If you're still grappling with discomfort around sales, this episode will help you rethink your mindset and give you the confidence to step into sales with clarity and ease. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/249

Jul 29, 2025 • 44min
248. Reframing Sales: A Mindset Shift with Justine Beauregard (Part 1)
If you've ever struggled with the idea of selling or felt uncomfortable with it, this episode is for you. Justine Beauregard, an expert sales coach who has helped scale businesses to as much as $300 million, will challenge everything you thought you knew about selling and show you how to approach it in a way that feels authentic and natural. In this episode, Justine simplifies sales strategies that might otherwise feel complicated or overwhelming. She breaks down common misconceptions, like the belief that you need complex funnels to succeed. Instead, she shares the essential elements of a straightforward, effective sales process that you can start using immediately to connect with potential clients. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/248

Jul 22, 2025 • 29min
247. Reimagine Your Perspective: Embrace the Mess
Have you ever felt frustrated because your coaching business isn't where you want it to be yet? In this episode, I'm sharing a story about the wildflower field behind my house that will transform how you approach growth. Cultivating a field is just like building a business: it's messy, it takes time, and it doesn't always look pretty. But every step, even the 'ugly' ones, are part of the process. If you're stuck focusing on the end result, this episode will challenge you to shift your mindset. I'm diving into why it's crucial to embrace the messy middle and enjoy each stage of your business growth. I'll also show you why appreciating each step, and not just the final picture, will actually speed up your success and make the journey more fulfilling. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/247

Jul 15, 2025 • 15min
246. Coach Unfiltered: Behind the Scenes of a Complete Business Transformation
Over the next three months, I'm embarking on a complete transformation of my brand, messaging, and offerings. And I'm documenting the entire process in real-time through a new program called Coach Unfiltered. In this week's episode, you'll learn all about Coach Unfiltered and why you want to be in this container. Through this behind-the-scenes documentary experience, you'll see exactly how business transformations happen: the strategy sessions, the expert consultations, the pivots, and yes, even the moments of doubt. Tis isn't just about watching; it's about learning how to apply these same strategies to your own business while seeing the real, unfiltered journey of entrepreneurship. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/246

Jul 8, 2025 • 37min
245. Stop Hiding Your Coaching Failures: Why Transparency Creates Client Trust
Struggling in silence can be one of a coach's biggest pitfalls. Embracing transparency not only humanizes coaches but strengthens the bond with clients. The conversation highlights how sharing personal failures fosters trust and creates a supportive atmosphere. It challenges the myth of perfection, advocating for a more relatable, flawed approach to coaching that ultimately enriches the client-coach relationship.


