How can you use tone of voice to build empathy and understanding in business coaching?

I think tone of voice matters a lot. And it’s easy to sound weird! My top tip: If you’re asking a question it needs to sound like an offer not a statement. If it sounds like a statement the person you are in dialogue with will stop thinking and wait for you. There’s loads about this in the chapter on the music or sound of coaching in The Human Behind The Coach

In my experience, the best coaches are the ones that get the most out of their clients. Tone matters at all times, it’s imperative that we use tone to motivate and uplift at all times. The tone of voice is imperative in communication, if you aren’t consistent with using it as a tool you can lose it permanently. Some clients are emotionally moved by how you say things as much or more than what you actually say. So protect the power of tone and use it appropriately and consistently to maximize your ability to influence.

The tone of voice in coaching matters because it can influence communication, motivation, and the overall effectiveness of the coaching relationship. A positive and supportive tone fosters better understanding and engagement, helping individuals to absorb and apply guidance more effectively.

I like to remember the client should be doing most of the talking. Getting them to talk, getting them to open up and engage their own resources is crucial. Simply telling them what to do is not good coaching, but letting them tell you what they are going to do is.

Le ton est révélateur de l'état d'esprit du coach et de sa faculté de congruence. Le coach trouvera le bon ton s'il parvient à adopter la juste "émonition", c'est-à-dire la juste combinaison entre l'empathie cognitive et l'empathie émotionnelle en fonction du client et de ses besoins fluctuants en cours d'interaction. Cette notion est définie dans l'ouvrage "Graine de coach. L'attitude coach pour tous."??

Staying present and in the moment while focusing on what we want to accomplish with the coaching question we are asking will help the tone of voice flow naturally. A coach who is just focused on tone of voice is probably not fully engaged in the coaching session.

Selon moi , le style de communication ne dépend pas du statut du client coaché ( cadre sup, DG, PDG,..) mais du profil, de la personnalité du client, du contexte et de ses besoins. En coaching de dirigeant ou en coaching d’affaire, ce qui est essentiel est la relation de confiance qui va se nouer entre le coaché et le coach .

Tailoring your tone to the coaching stage, question type, and client's personality enhances effectiveness. In the initial phase, exude enthusiasm for a positive start. As you delve deeper, adopt a reflective tone, fostering introspection. Toward the conclusion, be assertive, urging action. Match your tone to the coaching question – curiosity for exploration, empathy for reflection, and a challenge for provocation. Furthermore, aligning with your client's communication style builds rapport and comfort. Flexibility in tone ensures your coaching resonates effectively.

Zu der K?rpersprache geh?rt die Modalit?t, ?die Stimme“ und diese macht es m?glich, mich auf Menschen und Situationen einzustellen. Durch meine Stimmlage schaffe ich es meine Aussage zu untermalen und unterstützt mich meinen Coachee in die Richtung zu lenken, die er / sie dazu bringt eigenst?ndig eine L?sung für die Fragestellung zu finden. Durch eine positive und euphorische Stimmlage schaffe ich Begeisterung und Vertrauen. Je nach Anliegen, Situation und Pers?nlichkeit meines Gegenübers sollte der Coach entscheiden was er / sie sagt und wie etwas gesagt wird. Es muss da klar auf die eigene Intuition geh?rt werden. Wichtig ist also eine Kombination von stimmlicher Modalit?t, Wortwahl und Sprachrhythmus.

Para ajustar nuestro tono de voz es importante antes de una sesión o charla, poder utilizar el tiempo necesario para respirar y centrarnos en el momento del aquí y ahora, sabiendo que estaremos dispuestos al 100% a esa persona. Recordemos que nuestro tono de voz será el indicador principal de lo que transmitimos, en conjunto con nuestro mensaje verbal, y no verbal. Por ello es mas que importante tener en cuenta, el ritmo, el volumen, el tono, los matices, la articulación, la modulación y proyección de la voz.

I wouldn't work on this so hard that you turn into somebody you are not - overnight. This feels like it could be forced, so caution to know the difference between observations and practice vs. no longer being yourself.

Practicing your tone of voice for effective business coaching involves self-awareness and deliberate effort. Record your coaching sessions and listen to them to identify areas where your tone can be improved. Seek feedback from clients and colleagues to understand how your tone impacts the coaching relationship. Practice speaking with different tones, experimenting with warmth, empathy, and assertiveness as needed in various coaching scenarios. Remember that mindfulness and active listening also play a role in maintaining an appropriate tone, so continually honing these skills will contribute to your overall coaching effectiveness.

One thing I found helpful is indeed looking back at previous recordings and observe what works best in each situation, what feels natural and what feels forced. On practicing different tones, I would start first outside of coaching and start being more mindful of my tone and how I speak. Also, regardless of how much a certain tone works on the majority of people, there will always be exceptions. The most important is being present and flexible to what works best for the person in front of you.

Recording yourself provides objective insights into your variations. Seek feedback from diverse sources – clients, colleagues, mentors – to gain a comprehensive perspective. Experiment with tones in various contexts, noting responses. Learn from both successes and challenges, shaping your tone accordingly. The iterative process enhances self-awareness, facilitating a tone that resonates positively with clients, fostering an open and collaborative coaching dynamic.

One thing I’ve found to be so helpful is to practice this EVERYWHERE (not just in professional settings)! Practice it at the checkout line in the grocery store. Practice it in your IG stories. Another tip I would give to practice would be to host social audio events right here on LinkedIn (using LinkedIn Audio). You get to deliver your message but also open your stage up to converse with others and get even more practice with your tone of voice. ??

Being truly engaged in the coaching session (prepared, curious, listening) and understanding why we are asking specific coaching questions will prevent tone of voice mistakes. Even if you know your client well, it's better to avoid sarcasm in coaching. They are being open and vulnerable with you and a misunderstood sarcastic joke could cause lots of damage to your relationship.

Matching tone to the conversation's mood is equally vital to steer clear of potential pitfalls. Sarcasm, unless certain of its reception, can be misconstrued; err on caution. When challenging or motivating, maintain a firm yet respectful tone. Avoid raising your voice, interruptions, or criticism – these may impede a positive coaching relationship. A balanced and mindful approach to tone ensures effective communication, fostering a conducive environment for growth and collaboration.

Der Tonfall sollte auch mit Mimik und Gestik harmonieren und zur Botschaft passen. Nur, wenn alle drei Faktoren beim Coachee den gleichen Eindruck hinterlassen, k?nnen Sie überzeugen. Besprechen Sie z.B. ein ernstes Thema, sollten Sie sich ein Grinsen verkneifen und keinen verharmlosenden Ton anschlagen. Die Herausforderung besteht darin, dass Sie gegenüber Ihrem Coachee schon anfangen sichbar zu agieren, w?hrend Sie noch denken und bevor Sie das erste Wort gesprochen haben. Vieles l?uft unbewusst ab und Sie verkennen daher die eigene Wirkung. Hier hilft nur, dass Sie sich Feedback von Dritten einholen, was denen an ihrem Kommunikationsverhalten auff?llt. So haben Sie die Chance an Ihrer überzeugskraft zu arbeiten.

Se preparar para assuntos n?o pautados e imprevistos, fazem parte da prepara??o de um mentor. A redundancia de esperar o inesperado, faz sentido literal quando tratamos pessoas, culturas e expectativas diferentes. Ao se deparar com estes "in previstos" mantenha-se calmo e concentrado no foco da narrativa. Resgatando a forma com que este interlocutor estava participativo antes deste break. Fazer-se presente também no ambiente, também manterá sua calma e aten??o de todos. Portanto, mova-se em dire??o ao participante, no caso de palestras ou em reuni?es, direcione seu tronco na dire??o do participante e conduza uma resposta clara e ao final permita se questionar se compreendeu sua análise. Isso fará com que os demais retornem a sua aten??o.

Si estamos realmente presentes y atentos a nuestra conversación, el tono de voz fluirá según la situación y momento de la sesión. Presencia y compromiso con el otro es lo fundamental

El tono de voz es una herramienta muy poderosa en el coaching, ya que puede transmitir emociones, establecer la atmósfera y crear conexiones más fuertes con tu cliente. Aquí hay algunos consejos sobre cómo usar el tono de voz para mejorar tus habilidades de coaching: Sé consciente de tu tono de voz: Antes de comenzar una sesión de coaching, realiza una breve autoevaluación de tu tono de voz. ?Suena amigable y acogedor??O puede transmitir una actitud negativa o indiferente? Sé consciente de cómo suenas y cómo eso puede influir en tu cliente.

Employing a warm and friendly tone fosters rapport, and mirroring your client's tone enhances connection. Expressing empathy through a compassionate voice deepens understanding of their emotions. Using a confident and positive tone inspires action, highlighting strengths. These nuanced approaches through tone of voice contribute significantly to building empathy, understanding, and ultimately, facilitating your clients in reaching their full potential and achieving their goals.

L'essentiel sera, pour commencer, d'écouter l'autre. Par l'écoute on apprend énormément sur les besoins de notre client, sa personnalité, ses points forts à souligner et la manière dont on peut l'aider à progresser.

Genuinely caring about our clients, staying present in the moment, knowing why you are asking each question, being curious about their responses, and being invested in their success are the best ways to get tone of voice right.

Celebrate achievements with enthusiasm, and provide constructive feedback with empathy. Master the art of balancing encouragement with guidance, creating an atmosphere where coachees feel empowered to grow.

Consider the cultural and individual differences of your coachees. Adapt your tone to align with their preferences and communication styles. Embrace flexibility in your approach, as effective coaching requires tailoring your tone to each unique situation. Additionally, stay attuned to non-verbal cues, as they complement your spoken words and contribute to a holistic coaching experience.

Tone of voice and body language outweigh our words, so it is important that we are in alignment. The best way to get there, take a few minutes before a coaching session to breathe deeply, get focused and curious, and be in the present with the client in front of us.

I use my voice to calm down my clients. I find within a paceful place from where I try to align my inner feelings, and then my voice follows a natural tone. We have unique voices and even if we try to influence the tone, the most important thing is to use the suitable words to express what you feel or think. It is like trying to use music to calm down, but there are people who listen rock or "agitated music" to calm or align their state of mind, and on the other side people who listen "chillout music" to deep breathe and calm. The voice of people who genuine care will always be medicine to the ear of those who suffer.

Parlant du ton de la voix, il est nécessaire de penser à la qualité et la force du silence dans le coachin. Se concentrant sur l'écoute active et essayant de se réfréner d'intervenir systématiquement en osant le silence, cela ouvre un espace extrêmement précieux aux mots, voire au silence de la personne accompagnée. Et si finalement avec nos interventions orales le but était juste de ne pas faire moins bien que le silence ;)

It is important to look out for the non-verbal feedback so you can determine if your TOV is landing the way you want. The twitch in the eye, the fidgets, the arms and the legs. Are they leaning in? Are they sighing? What they aren’t saying is most telling. Pay attention.