Here's how you can overcome challenges in virtual communication during executive coaching.

Active listening with open questioning, staying in the moment, being curious, listen to what is said and what is not being said.

To tackle virtual communication challenges in executive coaching, engage actively by integrating polls and interactive elements, ensuring participation. Double-check tech setups before sessions to avoid hiccups, using reliable audio and video gear. Start by setting clear goals and expectations, and maintain a personal connection by utilizing video calls and beginning with informal check-ins. After each session, send a recap and action items to keep momentum and clarity. These steps will smooth out common virtual coaching hurdles and foster a productive environment.

I firmly believe that successful coaching relationships are built on the foundation of clear expectations, often referred to as "contracting." Key questions to address include: How will the coach and client work together? Who is responsible for sending calendar invites? What challenges might hinder our ability to connect and work effectively? I often ask my clients, "Is there anything that might prevent you from doing your best work with me as your coach?" Being upfront about all aspects is essential for achieving exceptional coaching outcomes. When clients feel secure from the start and expect outstanding results, they tend to arrive prepared and eager to engage. This, in turn, motivates me to deliver my best work.

Com o aumento do trabalho remoto e a populariza??o de plataformas digitais, o coaching executivo virtual se tornou uma realidade frequente. No entanto, essa modalidade apresenta desafios específicos relacionados à comunica??o, que precisam ser reconhecidos e superados para que o processo seja proveitoso. Garantir a qualidade da conex?o e dos equipamentos; Utilizar recursos visuais e ferramentas digitais; Adaptar a linguagem corporal e a comunica??o n?o verbal; Estabelecer uma conex?o humana genuína podem ser estratégias para lidar com as dificuldades inerentes à comunica??o virtual, tornando o coaching executivo virtual uma experiência enriquecedora e eficaz tanto para o coach quanto para o coachee.

Aquí me dedico a Mejorar la calidad de la experiencia de coaching: Al dominar la tecnología, puedo mejorar significativamente la calidad de la experiencia de coaching virtual, lo que beneficia tanto a mi como coach como al cliente.

To excel in virtual executive coaching, embrace technology. Master your platform’s features like screen sharing and file transfer. Test your setup before sessions. If tech-challenged, seek help to gain confidence. Engage clients with interactive tools and establish clear communication rules. Personalize sessions and build rapport to foster trust. Have backup plans for tech issues. Keep learning about new tools and educate clients on tech use. This ensures technology aids, not hinders, communication.

Make sure you have a MS office in addition to any other platform that your client might use. If you haven't done so, train yourself to resist the temptation to look to yourself or the client's image on the screen and look into the camera. Sometimes your client might not have the camera on, that's ok but you have yours on all the time. Invest in a good clip or desk mics or any headset, audio is key as well. In some cases I do use the MS whiteboard to visualize a thought but you might not need it. Always be ready for a plan B, system/software force updates or connectivity issues. I usually wait for 5 minutes otherwise reschedule as exec time and yours are precious!

To optimize virtual communication during executive coaching, choose the technology platform you're most comfortable with. For many people in a corporate setting, that will be Microsoft Teams. For others, it may be Zoom. Be sure you know and understand the chosen platform's features. Keep the software up to date with the latest downloads, so you always have the most current features available to you. If you don't use virtual platforms often, do a practice session with yourself in advance of your coaching session. In a practice session, you can ensure you can log in, turn on your camera, test the "chat" feature, share a document, etc.

It goes without saying that Tech Proficiency is a must in all workplace situations. Nothing will kill the session faster than an embarassing lack of understanding of tech.

In virtual settings, pay close attention to nonverbal cues like tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. These subtle signals can provide valuable context and help you better understand your coach's message. Minimize distractions by finding a quiet space, silencing notifications, and closing unnecessary tabs or applications. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in the conversation and demonstrate your commitment to the coaching process. By actively listening and engaging with your coach, you can build a strong, trusting relationship that transcends the limitations of virtual communication.

An important but sometimes undervalued part of active listening on videoconference is not only monitoring your client's body language, but making sure that your own conveys that you are engaged, interested, and closely listening. Slightly leaning forward, periodically nodding, maintaining eye contact, and when appropriate, smiling all let your client know that you are holding space for them in a respectful and engaged way.

Active Listening is Paying attention. Give the speaker your undivided attention, and acknowledge the message. ... Show that you are listening. ... Provide feedback. ... Defer judgment. ... Respond Appropriately.

Is as important if not more so to observe what is not said as much as what is said. Seek clarity by paraphrasing what the coaches has just said to ensure you understand. If you notice that someone’s body language is at odds with what they are saying then gently state what you notice : I notice that what you have just said makes you feel uncomfortable. Tell me about that. Etc …. It’s non judgey and allows the individual to check their own feelings and observations and come up with their own solutions and demonstrates that you are active listening with all of your senses.

Desarrolar nuestra escucha activa es empatizar. Es esencial entender los tipos y niveles de empatía para servir mejor en los procesos de coaching

Here are some strategies for enhancing nonverbal communication in virtual settings: 1. Use explicit signals like a thumbs up/thumbs down to help communicate immediate feelings clearly, providing a quick and easily calibrated method to express complex feelings. 2. Enhanced Listening Skills: focus on what is NOT being said. This includes paying attention to silences and other nonverbal signs that can indicate a client's true thoughts or feelings. 3. Regular Check-ins: Ask direct questions about the client's feelings and reactions. Emojis can help. 4. Use of Collaborative Tools such as Whiteboards allow for real-time feedback and annotations. This can also help in making sessions more interactive and engaging.

Prestar atención a las se?ales no verbales: El coach debe ser consciente de las expresiones faciales, el tono de voz y el lenguaje corporal del coachee para entender mejor sus comentarios e instrucciones. Dar retroalimentación sobre las se?ales no verbales: El coach puede proporcionar retroalimentación al coachee sobre sus propias se?ales no verbales, ayudándole a ser más consciente de cómo se comunica y cómo puede mejorar su lenguaje corporal para transmitir mejor sus mensajes. Transmitir atención y apertura: El coach puede esforzarse por transmitir atención y apertura a través de su propio lenguaje corporal, lo que puede ayudar a establecer un ambiente de confianza y apoyo durante el proceso de coaching virtual.

Observation here is so key- if a relationship has been developing with your coachee then you will learn specific signs and what they may mean. Informalities at the beginning can help gage the mood. A clear camera and good lighting is key as well as a comfortable environment for the coachee can play a huge role.

Execs might be interrupted from time to time, crisis can happen so just nod in agreement if they ask for couple of minutes off and if they keep their microphone on inadvertently you need to mute from your side so you don't hear the conversation. Later on mention that you have done so, it will be highly appreciated Avoid the temptation of looking mysterious or pausing on one gesture for a long time, because sometimes you will hear the execs repeating something you already heard couple of times, listen more and acknowledge later that they have shared this info before and it must be important for them. Put all your cellphone, applications, email notifications on mute and avoid distractions because you might be tempted to "just check"

It is important to note that feedback takes place in stages: expressed and written data, verbalizations, corporal language and subsequent applications in work dynamics and the transformation of organizational processes. Anyone who really wants to get the best out of feedback should be on the lookout: for all the new signs that indicate changes in thinking and action for effective gains compared to what existed before the feedback. And that affects them and everyone involved.

Feedback loops are critical for improvement. Even with established clients, I continue to ask for regular feedback. I've tried a few approaches that have worked well: - Immediate Feedback: Right after the session, ask for feedback while the experience is fresh. This allows for specific, timely adjustments. - Technology Tailoring: Adapt the tools used to what best suits the client. I switch between Zoom, Teams, and even phone or FaceTime based on a client's comfort level with tools. - Clear Goals: Set clear, mutual goals for what each session should achieve. This focus helps streamline communication and the overall coaching process.

For 25 years these have been the easiest ways to stay synced with my clients: 1-Desired outcome for the session: phrased as a question or a result. 2-A list of session focuses, in priority order. 3-If internet goes out, have the coach’s phone number ready to pivot to a call. 4-If anything isn’t working for you, communicate this to the coach. This could include the strategy used in the sessions, the style, the length, the frequency, etc. A good coach will not make excuses and will pivot to what helps you most in the long run. Coaching is about results. Remove any roadblocks.

Periodically check in with your client to find out how well the coaching is working for them. Specifically ask "what could I have done to be a better coach for you?" or "what can I do that will help you better reach your goals?" Each session is too often - you'll seem insecure. But I find that once every 3-4 sessions works. Although, after an especially challenging session I often ask.

positive feedback loops, in which a change in a given direction causes additional change in the same direction. an increase in the concentration of a substance causes feedback that produces continued increases in concentration. negative feedback loops, in which a change in a given direction causes change in the opposite direction. an increase in the concentration of a substance causes feedback that ultimately causes the concentration of the substance to decrease.

Iniciar la sesión con unos minutos de rapport en vez de ir directamente a lo que nos convoca es útil para que exista una conexión personal y no solo profesional, establecer confianza y permitir que el coachee deje de necesitar mantener la máscara. Estos minutos sirven al coach para conocer cómo es el coachee realmente y no solo su rol, cómo son realmente sus habilidades de comunicación, sus motivadores e intereses y da material para hacer analogías y metáforas explicativas.

I've not experienced any dilution of my effectiveness as a coach between in-person and virtual sessions. My approach has always been about building the personal connection first. This starts right at the beginning in the discovery / chemistry call. Building trust within the first seconds / minutes by deep listening, powerful questioning, and paraphrasing to establish clear desired outcomes from the coachee's perspective.

Everything concerning the personal connection with the Coachee interests me deeply because I firmly believe that, above all, coachees/clients are individuals whom we, as Coaches, have the privilege to accompany for a certain period. This idea of being a “fellow traveler” resonates with me, and I communicate it enthusiastically at the beginning. I believe that a genuine interest in people as whole beings is indispensable for providing this type of service. I love asking my Coachee at the end of a virtual session: How are you feeling? How do you feel now?

No matter the technology you use in your coaching, there is nothing more important than making your coachee/client feel like they are heard, validated, and encouraged. The best way to make personal connections is to ?? focus on them as if you were talking to your closest friends. Key takeaways: ? By deeply engaging with them, formulated frameworks go out the window! You are engaged and naturally will be able to link, connect, and add perspective to ideas with you questions (reflective-inquiry) or statements to summarize/interpret what they said, so they can hear what they are projecting clearly from a trusted guide. ? Be friendly and kind, but understand boundaries to remain a a steadfast partner that pushes them when needed!

The personal connection is so key to creating that atmosphere of trust and them knowing you are a safe place for them to fall. I don’t want my clients to impress me with what they’ve done. I want to see real growth and that often comes with vulnerability. They need to know that I am going to keep their discussions confidential and that I am ?? on their side. Just them knowing that creates amazing discussions and breakthroughs so that everything we do is real change and not change just for the sake of changing.

In my experience as a global online executive coach and trainer, approaching the session in the same manner you would face to-face is key. At the end of the day, speak TO your client and not AT the screen. The only barrier is the perception that the experience is not the same. Set up the screen height properly, ensure the lighting is appropriate and that the sound is clear and look "into" the camera and give your coachee/client eye contact. Kind regards, Nicole Smart

It's funny - I've never had an issue with any of these issues listed for "challenges of virtual communication". As I've only coached online, I'd be more likely to prepare for the challenges of in-person coaching. My experience has shown me you can coach in 7 minutes because you can online - this happened when someone arrived late still wanting coaching. It worked for their needs in that moment. When connection cuts out you switch to audio. When that cuts out there's chat. Or reschedule. "Virtual" gives you more options, and lowers barriers to entry. In-person has it's own anxieties and takes a lot of effort to show up. You don't have to make assumptions - if they want coaching at 1am that's their choice. Timezones are not the barrier.

Consider 'changing it up'. Holding virtual sessions from the same desk in the same location as all your other work can impact your ability to mindfully focus on the session at hand. Go for a walk and talk with your AirPods in maybe. Move your laptop to a different room that you only use for these sessions.

Trust is one of the greatest tools in virtual sessions. In order to set the scene from the start, its hugely important to be real and authentic —there is no need (or benefit) to put on a front. The next step is to watch and listen out not just for verbal cues, but non-verbal too. When you pay attention to what others are saying and show you get where they're coming from, they're more likely to be receptive & open should you need to raise a communication issue Of course in buiding trust, showing mutual respect is key, this includes keeping everything confidential, showing up and delivering on what you say you will deliver, allowing everyone the safe space to talk without judgement, and showing integrity and professionalism on the call.

The most important aspect of any coaching -- virtual, audio only, or in-person -- is giving your 100% attention to the coachee. So as a coachee, speak up if you aren't getting that! As a coach, make a pre-session ritual for yourself -- take 3 deep breaths, read a meaningful quote, repeat an intention to yourself -- so that you arrive to each session in service to your client's most important needs.