Death by Chocolate: A Coach’s Perspective

Imagine being presented with the most decadent dessert—layers of rich chocolate ganache, dark mousse, fudge, and a drizzle of syrup.

It’s indulgent, sure, but after a few bites, it’s just… too much.

What started as pure delight quickly turns into overwhelm.

As coaches, we risk creating this same sensation in our work—what I call “death by coaching overload.”

It happens when we pile on too many tools, techniques, or ideas all at once, leaving ourselves and our clients drowning in a sea of good intentions.

Coaching is a skill, an art, and a passion. And as passionate coaches, we’re eager to bring everything we know to the table.

We’ve mastered models, frameworks, and strategies.

We’ve seen the transformative power of deep, meaningful questions.

So, naturally, we want to share it all—like serving every chocolate dessert on the menu at once.

But here’s the thing : too much of a good thing can become counterproductive.

Clients can become overwhelmed, struggling to process or implement the wisdom we’re so excited to offer.

And as coaches, we can end up feeling exhausted, constantly trying to juggle all the “extras” instead of simply being present.

Great coaching doesn’t rely on complexity—it thrives on simplicity.

A single, meaningful question can spark insight more powerfully than a flurry of frameworks.

A focused session can drive transformation more effectively than layering in multiple approaches.

This isn’t about holding back; it’s about refining.

It’s about trusting in the coaching process and understanding that less can truly be more.

If you’re wondering whether you’ve fallen into the “too much” trap, here are some tell-tale signs:

•You leave sessions mentally drained, having tried to cram in multiple models or techniques.

•Your client seems confused, disengaged, or overly reliant on you for direction.

•You feel pressure to prove your value by showing off all you know.

Sound familiar? If so, it’s time to step back and reassess.

Focus on listening deeply and being fully present.

Often, the most profound breakthroughs come from creating space for the client to explore.

There is no such thing as the “right” question.

If you are genuinely curious about your client the question you ask will be the most appropriate one in that moment.

You don’t need to have the “perfect “question ready at all times.

Trust yourself, trust the coaching process and trust your client.

After a session, ask yourself:

Did I give space for the client to process?

Where was I tempted to give advice?

The most successful coaching isn’t like a towering chocolate extravaganza—it’s more like a perfectly balanced dessert.

Enough richness to feel indulgent, but light enough to leave the client energized and eager for more.

So, as you continue in your practice, consider this:

Are you creating an experience that nourishes and uplifts, or are you unintentionally overwhelming with too much chocolate?

Because when you find that balance, both you and your clients will savour every bite!

until next time,

with best wishes for your success

Cath