A coaching session from hell 

Something you should never do is memorize what you should not do because your unconscious mind will memorize it and you will continue repeating the same things over and over.

.....Awwwww.... NOW... I read your description box... LOL

Excellent example of what *not* to do, and how *not* to do it! Painful to watch (in a good way!). Scary because it's very easy to relate to....who hasn't had a performance review like this? Ugh! Thanks for sharing and getting us to see what it should *not* be like!

Hi - As a trainer I would also like to use this video as a 'What not to do" video. You say there are at least 20 errors or more. I wrote a list but wonder if you could share your 20 'things not to do' with us to make it a more effective learning tool. Appreciate your help - I really enjoyed it and will use it next week - 23 / 24 Oct 2012. Sue

Just to let people know that this video is an excerpt only from the original. We have reshot it, and the full length 8 minute version is available from www.hownot2.com. We no longer provide a guide to the errors on this video. These are available on our new videos.

Thanks Farnoosh. How do you know I was acting?! There are plenty more where that one came from - check out my channel for another version where Spencer coaches me (and is way nastier!). We are planning to do How NOT to Present next, and How NOT to be Interviewed. Watch this space!

Hello Mark, First of all, congratulations on your "worst practice" video on coaching... I loved the way you managed never to allow the "shy coachee" to say anything! I will be facilitating a course next week on coaching and I would like your permission to use your video..Also, could you please send me the "20 what not to do" you mentioned (I would like to see how it compares to my list...) Best regards, Maria Eiisa Mueller

Rachel, your comment suggest you watched it more than once. How come, are you a glutton for punishment?! Glad you enjoy it anyway :) Check out our others in similar vein. Michael

Very realistic seen that manager

Ricky Gervais, watch out!

hahaha - brilliant - so bad

omg hilarious!!!

""What you NEED TO DO" and "STOP DOING THAT" are fantastic! :-) Looking at the phone, scratch hairs, keep moving back and forward And i'm sure there are more mistakes, but english isn't my mother tongue so i probably missed some of that. Anyway thanks for this video. I'll try to DON'T LOOK LIKE THIS as a coach (and as a person as well) :-)

just viewed your brilliant video on "how not to do a coaching session". Could I use it for a "not for profit" training program on coaching. Please could you also send me a copy of the 20 errors,would be very useful for discussion. Any other suggestion or material which would add value to the program (2 days) would be most welcome. Thanks and regards R.A.Nadesan Chennai.India

Michael, what's interesting is that I hadn't scrolled all the way down to read that this was a set-up of errors made on purpose, but just off the back I'm thinking to myself..."this guy has his laptop open, he is not giving who ever he is talking to the full attention he has paid for, he keeps looking at his laptop, scratching his head...and then he's asking this guy what "he thinks". People are nice. This session would have ended the moment you had begun talking if your laptop was still open at the beginning of the session. Observantly brilliant post. :-) Cheers mate!

thanks for the comment, Melodie. Yes, painful to watch, and painful to film! we improvise these things entirely, so it felt quite real. I did not know I could be such a !@#$%^!!!

0:06 INSTANTLY... (Coach, red shirt) double crosses his arms, and gives a grimes face (mad), giving off the "feeling" I don't want to be here. 0:11 ... then blinks his eyes at the fellow as if HE can't believe what HE is seeing and hearing... he is bored out of his gored (mind). 0:15 the coach INTERRUPTS the man, that is trying to talk... not giving any respect to the other man. I could go on forever... I am a Life Coach and I teach Acting for Film and Theater... This is a great video of WHAT NOT to Do... in either case... NOTE" I scrolled down and (Thank God) read the other comments... "Bravo" on your acting skills... I believed at first this was the worst Coaching I had ever seen. Thank you for sharing this great video.

Hello Michael. Great video. So funny! You are the new John Cleese. I will use it in some of my courses with your permission. Thank you!

Brilliant Michael. You are not just a great coach and workshop leader. You are also an actor (you've been holding back on us ;))! Well-done. Very well-done! Please, more of these videos....!

Hello Veronika Please feel free to use the video. Could you send me a link to the website when you have published it please? I have looked at the email address I have given you, and it looks ok to me. Would you mind rechecking: it is : michaelbrowntraining@live.co.uk Best wishes Michael

Hello Sue If you send me your email address i will gladly send you our list of "answers". My email address is michaelbrowntraining@live.co.uk Best wishes Michael

Hello Mr Nadesdan Please let me know your email address and I will send you the list of errors. Best if you email it to me at; michaelbrowntraining@live.co.uk

Hello Certainly, please feel free to use it, and thank you very much for asking. I would love to know afterwards how you get on: my email is michaelbrowntraining@live.co.uk Best wishes Michael

Hi Maria Glad you liked the video, and that you plan to use it. Send me an email and I'll send you our list of mistakes. I am michaelbrowntraining@live.co.uk Best wishes. michael

Oh no, I'm a supervisor of 5 months and I do the same thing. I really appreciate your short videos. What an eye opener.

Absolutely brilliant! I laugh every time I watch it. Thank you

auch!