Your clients' communication skills are holding them back. How can you help them break through?

See the world from the client's view. Before we ask questions, we need to let them open up. It means allowing them to talk as much as they want. They should feel they have a safe space to express their feelings and emotions. A coach should listen before trying to assess the client. The client may have communication skills, but something is hindering them. Once the client is comfortable, they may share their communication barriers. A breakthrough happens when a client expresses his or her thoughts fully. The coach's role is to create a safe space for the client to express themselves, release their emotions, and open up about their vulnerabilities. Understanding why a client cannot communicate starts with this essential first step.

From my experience most of the time syptoms are not the real problems. Hence as a coach through clean language, calliberation, rapport building, I would take the client from surface level of issue to the deeper level and the undertsand the root cause for his/her stuck state. Gradually and naturally I would empower the client to identify the options on how he/she can approach the challenge (carefully watch the metaphors used and help in reframing wherever required) so that client is empowered to identify ways to be effective communicators in any situation.

When a client is looking to improve their communication skill, the first thing to do would be to build a great rapport so that the client can open up and freely share their struggles. Depending on their struggles that would be shared, the further steps can be routed accordingly.

En las dinámicas de coaching de equipos de trabajo, practicar los roles de Coach y Coachee, ayuda a los participantes a ejercitar su capacidad de escucha activa y de claridad de emisión de mensajes mediante la técnica de mayéutica, aunque es muy tradicional decirlo, es importante fomentar estos ejercicios en donde cada uno tiene puede tener oportunidad de que le caigan los veintes sobre cómo se comunica y cómo le perciben, el feedback tiene sentido en la medida que se fortalezca la madurez de los individuos y existan espacios seguros para aplicar, recibir y accionar en consecuencia a ser mejores personas y profesionales cada día, recordemos que como observadores, todos tenemos un punto de vista que atiende a nuestra naturaleza y objetivos.

I would first want to understand what brought the client to coaching and if the focus is communication, what are the communication goals that we are working toward and what form of communication is most comfortable for the client. How comfortable is the client with communicating in the workplace, socially, within the family unit. Also understanding the client's communication style and maybe even their conflict management style.

I would add another C to the mix - CONFIDENCE A lot of the clients who face challenges in communication also have an inner struggle with their confidence. They assosicate themselves with tags like introverted, uncomfortable in speaking, poor at communication. With some easy effective techniques, I'd encourage and bring forth confidence in my client. Work on their inner judge which makes them hesitate. Allow them to speak freely, express fully and then reflect on what can be improved. Confidence is key for communication!

We are not taught to be clear and concise in our communication growing up. A good practice is to have your client repeat a concept you've taught them in their own words and have them repeat it more and more clearly and concisely.

The 4 C's model is an excellent framework to help clients break through communication gaps. One of the many benefits I have derived from being a toastmaster is becoming a confident communicator and knowing when to be concise. Many clients (women in general) often have a harder time communicating with confidence, not because their voices were taken away but because they were not given the opportunity to develop this aspect of their character. Using this framework, along with helping clients switch their inner critical CEO, will surely have a profound positive impact on their communication skills. One thing to note is that improving one's communication skills is not a one-size-fits-all model.

To enhance your clients' communication skills, focus on the 4 C's model. Cultivate Clarity by encouraging concise and clear messages. Foster Coherence by helping them organize thoughts logically. Promote Consistency by aligning verbal and non-verbal cues. Lastly, emphasize Connection by honing active listening and empathy. Break through barriers by refining these 4 C's, enabling your clients to communicate confidently and authentically.

I have used the 4 C's model in different ways. I once asked the client to identify their own 4 C's based on their communication style and communication goal. I then introduced this model and allowed to client to compare their goals based on this model. We then work on the areas that the client feels in a point to build their strengths.

One thing I teach my clients on improving their listening skills is that they have two ears and one mouth and they therefore need to listen more than they speak. I emphasise the need for them to listen to understand and not listen to reply or give feedback. Another often neglected tool that helps in active listening is writing notes, even in a one-on-one meeting, I encourage people to take notes. What we write we remember and writing helps clarify what we understand. In giving feedback, I encourage clients to use the sandwich method, find two positive things to say and sandwich the critical or negative feedback in between. Compliment twice before you correct the ones. I teach this even to parents and leaders in various classes we conduct.

A few tips for active listening - Repeat the words of the speaker - Ask, don't tell. That means rather than telling your opinion, ask simple questions like “what do you mean by.…”, “tell me more about….”, - Avoid using rapport breaking words “why?” and “but” - use curious body language in conversation. Recall a time when you were curious and recall that body posture. Replicate the same body language to get into curious state.

I learned about the three Rs from BEabove Leadership. Approach each conversation considering: Relationship - before you give advice or feedback, consider whether you have a relationship with this person that warrants it. If not, look for ways to strengthen the relationship. Respect - consider whether you are communicating in a respectful manner. This may mean re-reading your email before you hit send, or taking time to provide context before you dive in. Restraint - think before you speak. Does this really add value to the conversation, or do I just want to hear myself speak? Active listening will help with the restraint.

Active Listening is actually much more than just paying attention to the speaker. It means being fully present with all senses and ensuring our own thoughts and agendas stay at bay. Because when we really listen to someone, we convey our respect for them and their feelings. Stopping to create our own case and asking "what do you mean when you said ___" and ensuring that you understand where they are coming from. So ask open ended questions rather than statements. Deep listening requires us to just be...and allow things to follow to surface the deeper feelings.

We should encourage the client to consider the speaker's feelings and perspectives, validating their emotions throughout the communication process, that would be ensured by active listening. Additionally, foster a growth mindset, emphasizing that feedback is an opportunity for learning and development, not a judgment of one's worth

Real-world practice is essential. I encourage clients to apply these skills in daily interactions and set specific goals, like leading a meeting or presenting a project. We often role-play these situations in our sessions, providing a safe space to practice and refine their skills. Feedback after these real-world applications is crucial for continuous improvement.

I find that many clients have a fear of being shamed or criticized for voicing their opinions. If someone is extremely introverted, it could be a result of childhood trauma. If this is the case, I begin by working on overcoming past negative experiences. If someone is afraid of negative feedback or is in the cycle of people pleasing, it can be a challenge to get them to open up. I provide a safe space to discuss their fears, and then begin to disentangle their feelings from reality. Mindfulness/meditation can work wonders so the client observes their inner dialogue more clearly. Noticing our thoughts can help us recognize when we're feeling shame. Practicing mindfulness can help a client understand how to see and change behavior patterns.

Practicing the communication skills in a non-risky environment can help with confidence, and once they feel comfortable in a safer environment, they can challenge themselves to apply these in a bigger environment too.

Role-playing can be very effective. That way, your client get to work / train on how to express themselves, but also hear how you are talking back.

To enhance your clients' communication skills, initiate targeted role-playing sessions that simulate real-life scenarios. Encourage them to articulate thoughts clearly, actively listen, and adapt their communication style. Provide constructive feedback to boost confidence and refine their approach. Integrate practical exercises into sessions for hands-on application, ensuring newfound skills become ingrained habits. Elevate their communication prowess through consistent practice and personalized guidance.

The primary factor in effective communication is intention. If you lack the desire to understand the other person, if all you're focused on is speaking rather than listening, then all the tools and processes available won't be of much use. The second challenge is fear. When you're consumed by fear of what the other person might say or how it might affect you, you become deaf to their words. Therefore, it's crucial to first assist the person in cultivating a rich inner world. Once they're genuinely interested in fostering strong relationships, they can then learn effective communication skills. I first understand my clients inner world help them grow, then teach them the how, that's where skills play a role

It's helpful to remind clients that when we meet it is a "safe zone" and that there is no single or best solution, however there is a solution that works best for them. The key is to coach them through the discovery process so that they will find what works best. Part of the coaching process includes identifying what they believe limits them. Discussing any preconceived notions that falsely brings them to a thought process of failure. Asking how true these limiting beliefs and notions are. Finally, asking the client to envision how they feel after successfully communicating to the person or group they want to connect with.

The limiting factor in effective communication is over exaggerating our own internal emotional experience that we are filtering other people’s words and actions. We allow the stories we tell ourselves to be irrefutable without first clarifying the person’s view, purpose, or intent behind them. “When you ____ the story I am telling myself is _____. Is this the case or can you fill me in on what I’m missing?”

Client's goal of how they would be liked to be seen if they acquire these communication skills will play an important role. Is this the skill that they want or is it something that their role wants. And according to that, exploration of their overall perspective in that situation can also help.

In communication, there are mainly two aspects - articulation and the message. While we can improve articulation, it's primarily a skill that we should build in terms of language, fluency, tone, etc. But the message part is not a skill; anyone should be able to communicate the message they want to convey. Most people fail to convey the message due to a lack of clarity and courage. Clarity is always an iterative process in movement that we have to keep building. Even kids communicate the message well even if they lack clarity; that's how they build clarity. Clarity and courage go together; the better the clarity, the more the courage. Even if our articulation is not good, clarity and courage will help convey the message effectively.