Create an AI version of you
Powered by the best in the business
Unlock your coaching potential with AI
Get proven tips and insights every week
Systemise and scale with this tried and tested methodology
Your coaching business runs smoothly on the surface. You’re fully booked, your clients love working with you, and you’ve built a strong reputation in your field. Yet behind the scenes, you’re drowning in tasks, working longer hours than ever, and struggling to find time to grow beyond trading hours for money.
Many successful coaches hit this ceiling. Without proper systems, even six-figure coaching practices can feel chaotic and unsustainable. That’s why many coaches turn to the Traction method, helping them build structure, delegate effectively, and scale beyond themselves.
But implementing Traction in a coaching business requires a specific approach – one that maintains your unique value while creating the systems you need to grow.
What is the traction method?
The Traction method comes from Gino Wickman’s book “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business.” It’s a complete operating system that helps businesses gain control through six key areas: vision, people, data, issues, process, and traction. Thousands of companies use this framework to break free from day-to-day chaos and build scalable operations.
Most coaches start their business because they love helping people transform their lives. But as client rosters fill up and demands increase, the business side often becomes overwhelming. Let’s examine why systematising your coaching practice matters more than you might think.
You became a coach to make an impact, not to create another job for yourself. Yet without solid business systems, you’ll stay stuck swapping your hours for income. Every client session, every piece of content, every admin task needs your direct involvement.
Top coaches break this pattern by building repeatable systems. They document their processes, automate routine tasks, and create scalable ways to deliver value. This frees up time for high-impact work while maintaining the quality their clients expect.
Look for these warning signs that your business needs better systems:
When these symptoms appear, it’s time to step back and implement proper business foundations. The most successful coaches run their practice like a business, not just a collection of client relationships.
Running an unstructured coaching business carries hidden costs. Beyond the obvious time drain, you risk burning out, missing opportunities, and limiting your income potential. Without systems, you can’t maintain consistent quality as you grow.
The real price shows up in missed family time, constant stress about delivery, and the nagging feeling that you’re capable of much more. Your expertise deserves a business structure that lets it shine without requiring your constant attention.
Before we launch into implementation, let’s create a foundation. Bringing Traction into your coaching business starts with understanding how each component applies to your unique situation. While the framework was built for larger companies, its principles work just as well for coaching practices ready to scale.
Vision sets your direction – where your coaching practice heads in the next one, three, and ten years. This isn’t just about client numbers or revenue. It’s about the impact you’ll make, the team you’ll build, and how you’ll deliver your expertise at scale.
People focuses on building the right support network. For coaches, this often means starting with virtual assistants, bookkeepers, or marketing help rather than full-time staff. The goal is supporting your core work without losing the personal touch your clients value.
Data gives you clarity through weekly metrics. Track key numbers like client satisfaction scores, conversion rates from calls to clients, and delivery time for client materials. These numbers guide your decisions and show where you need to focus.
Issues are the problems blocking your growth. Keep a running list and tackle them weekly. Common coaching business issues include inconsistent client results, scattered marketing efforts, or administrative bottlenecks.
Process makes your work repeatable. Document how you onboard clients, deliver sessions, create content, and handle follow-ups. This lets you maintain quality while gradually removing yourself from every task.
Traction brings it all together through regular meetings and clear goals. Even as a solo coach, setting quarterly priorities and reviewing progress weekly keeps you focused on what matters most.
Unlike generic business advice, Traction gives you practical tools that work together. You’re not just setting goals – you’re building a complete system to achieve them. The framework adapts to your coaching style rather than forcing you into a rigid structure.
The biggest difference lies in its focus on execution. Instead of complex strategies that sit in a drawer, Traction pushes you to take action every week. You’ll solve real problems, measure real results, and see real changes in how your business runs.
Coaches can use Traction to increase income while simultaneously cutting work hours. Begin by documenting the client journey and hire a virtual assistant to handle the admin steps. This frees up time for high-value coaching work and content creation.
Another application is to simplify your business by focusing on core process – something you can discover through implementing Traction. Stop trying to offer everything to everyone. Instead, build systems around your most effective coaching method, making it easier to deliver and scale.
Let’s break down exactly how to apply each Traction component in your coaching business. Start with one area at a time, building your system piece by piece rather than changing everything at once.
Start by answering these key questions:
Write down your answers in clear, measurable terms. “I’ll help more people” becomes “I’ll serve 50 group coaching clients while maintaining 10 premium 1:1 spots.”
Map out your ideal week three years from now. Include time blocks for coaching, content creation, team management, and personal development. This becomes your guide for building systems that support this future.
Begin with tasks that drain your energy but don’t require your expertise:
Document these tasks before hiring. Record yourself doing them using Loom or write step-by-step guides. This becomes your training manual for new team members.
Start small – perhaps five hours per week of virtual assistant support. Choose one area like email management and perfect that before adding more help. Look for assistants who understand coaching businesses or have worked with coaches before.
Create a simple scorecard tracking weekly numbers that drive your business forward. Review these metrics regularly to spot issues early and double down on what works well.
Key metrics to track:
Use your coaching platform’s analytics tools and client feedback forms to gather real-time data about your impact. A basic spreadsheet works well for tracking – no need for complex systems.
Keep a running list of problems blocking your business growth. This isn’t about listing complaints – it’s about identifying specific issues you can solve. Review and update your list weekly.
Break your issues into three categories:
Pick the top three issues that will make the biggest difference. Solve these completely before moving to new ones. Common coaching business issues include inconsistent client results, gaps between sessions, and tech stack problems.
For each issue, create a simple action plan: identify the root cause, list potential solutions, choose one to try first, and set clear success metrics. This systematic approach stops issues from becoming permanent roadblocks.
Document your core processes to maintain quality while reducing your direct involvement. Start with your client journey – from first contact through to ongoing support. Map out exactly how you guide someone from interested prospect to successful client.
Essential processes to document:
Test each process by having someone else follow your documentation. If they can’t complete the task successfully, add more detail. Keep refining until these processes run smoothly without your oversight.
Set up a weekly planning routine to maintain momentum. Spend 90 minutes each Monday reviewing progress and planning ahead. This keeps you focused on what matters most for growing your business.
Choose three major goals – your “rocks” – for each quarter:
Break these quarterly goals into weekly actions. Use simple project management tools to track progress, but don’t let the tools become another distraction. Regular reviews help you stay accountable and adjust course when needed.
Begin with one component that will make the biggest difference. Many coaches start with Process, documenting their client journey. Others begin with Vision, getting clear on their direction before building systems.
Pick your starting point:
Implementing Traction takes time. Focus on progress over perfection. Each small improvement in your systems frees up time and energy for what matters most – serving your clients and growing your impact. IT also hold the key to greater overall peace of mind and freedom, opening up opportunities to scale and even travelling the world with your coaching business.
Your coaching expertise deserves a business structure that lets it shine. Traction is the tried and tested starting point for systemising and scaling your business. With these systems in place, you’ll spend less time managing chaos and more time changing lives.
Powered by the best in the business
Unlock your coaching potential with AI
Get proven tips and insights every week
