Which is the most effective way to begin the goal setting process with a client...

ICF Competency 3 ("Establishes and Maintains Agreements") requires coaches to clarify the coaching purpose and process, especially at the outset, to ensure alignment. For a client unsure of goals, starting with purpose provides direction (ICF Definition of Coaching). Let’s review:

A. Suggest the client ask people who are important to them what goals they should work on: This undermines client autonomy (ICF Code of Ethics, Section 1) and delays the coach-client exploration process.

B. Work with the client to establish the purpose and value of the sessions: This aligns with Competency 3 and Competency 7 ("Evokes Awareness") by collaboratively grounding the client in why they’re coaching, paving the way for goal clarity.

C. Ask the client for feedback on the first session and how to improve future sessions: This is useful later but premature for goal-setting with an unsure client.

D. Encourage the client to explore the pool and how things might have turned out differently: (Assuming "pool" is a typo for "past") This risks a therapeutic focus on history, not coaching’s future orientation (ICF Coaching Boundaries).

Option B is most effective, per ICF’s framework for initiating goal-setting with clarity and purpose.