You're facing client resistance during coaching. How can you maintain a growth mindset in this situation?

If someone is not ready to look at something or move through it, I give them full permission to stay right where they are. Coaching is not about pushing someone to do something but helping them unconditionally love themselves right where they are. When they do, their inherent desire to learn, grow, and evolve into more is realized.

Buddha said, “If you light a lamp for someone else, it will also brighten your path.” Respect the human in front and approach their resistance with empathy. Recognize that it is a natural part of the change process. It could be rooted in fear of the unknown, potential loss, or overwhelm. It's crucial to create a safe space for them to share their concerns openly. Listen actively and show understanding of their struggles. This can help in fostering their willingness to engage and move forward. By addressing their fears and concerns, you set a supportive foundation for their growth.

Facing client resistance during coaching can be challenging. To maintain a growth mindset, view resistance as an opportunity for learning and development. Stay curious, ask open-ended questions, and listen actively to understand the client's perspective. Reframe obstacles as chances to explore new strategies and reinforce your commitment to their growth. Celebrate small wins and progress, fostering a positive environment that encourages clients to overcome resistance and embrace change. #LifeCoaching #GrowthMindset #ClientEngagement #PersonalDevelopment

It is difficult for all of us to be seen as “vulnerable”, as it can be seen as weakness. When my coachee is in this state...I dedicate more time, “without haste, but at the same time without pause” creating a protection zone, in which the coachee is not afraid to show his vulnerability. Sometimes it can be a good strategy to discuss personal experiences of denial, resistance and mistrust, making it clear that this is a normal part of our defense mechanism. Remember that the main function of the Mind is to keep us safe, and showing vulnerability can go in the opposite direction.

Es fundamental entender que la resistencia del cliente no siempre es solo responsabilidad de ellos. Como coaches, debemos también cuestionarnos a nosotros mismos. Es posible que estemos influyendo en la resistencia del cliente. Por lo tanto, cuando percibo resistencia, lo primero que hago es mirarme a mí misma. Me pregunto si mis preguntas están sesgadas o si estoy presionando demasiado en una dirección determinada. Al cuestionarme a mí misma primero, puedo ajustar mi enfoque y crear un ambiente más seguro y abierto para que el cliente pueda avanzar a su propio ritmo.

When a client is facing resistance, they should be given a chance to observe and learn as other go through the path of change. They should feel safe when they choose not engage and yet feel welcomed and to be given a chance to transition from being a skeptic to being curious and then finally ready to take on the path themselves. As every individual has their own set backgrounds and prior beliefs, they have their own unique way and timeline in which they will embrace growth and growth mindset. Sometimes, they will still not be willing and ready and during those times, they should feel comfortable to disengage and come back when they feel ready again. This is the flexibility I offer to my clients.

Not only in Coaching, but in life, having the ability to be flexible will give us a great advantage and will certainly “open new doors”. Nothing worse for a Coachee, to realize that the Coach is in “automatic mode”, and not understanding the emotions of the Coachee's moment. We all feel great when we are treated as “unique beings” and even more so in Live Coaching sessions. Our real commitment is to help and guide the Coachee, and we will have to reinvent ourselves and develop different tools, until we find the most appropriate one for that moment.

Instilling a growth mindset in clients requires a flexible approach. Ensure you have a variety of techniques and strategies to experiment with, depending on the situation. Staying adaptable eases clients into the process, making them feel seen and understood. This flexibility allows you to tailor your approach to their unique needs, fostering a more effective and personalized coaching experience. By being versatile, you can better support their journey toward a growth mindset.

Siempre hay que ser flexible sin perder el rumbo, que es el objetivo de la consulta: que el cliente saque provecho de su inversión. Mi experiencia es que hay que observar a la persona e ir guiándola gradualmente hacia un estado más tranquilo y abierto, en un ambiente de confianza y profesionalismo.

Reflecting and learning from client resistance helps me adapt and grow. I take time to analyze each situation, understanding the underlying reasons for resistance. This reflection is all about learning from the experience. By examining what worked and what didn't, I can adjust my approach to better align with the client's needs. As someone said- the more reflective you are, the more effective you become! I keep an open mind, viewing it as an opportunity to refine my methods and improve my coaching, becoming more and more self aware. This ongoing learning process helps me stay flexible and responsive, such that facing resistance turns into a valuable part of my growth journey.

Me gusta esta frase: " Un mal día para el EGO, es un gran día para el ALMA" En nuestra vida y en especial como Coach, las cosas no funcionan como uno tiene planeado. Reflexionar al respecto, nos hacer ser humildes y a la vez grandes como Seres Humanos, recordando que somos "Seres imperfectos" Cada sesión de Coaching, es un viaje de aprendizaje, donde Coach y Coachee mutuamente crecemos.

Reflection is a crucial part of developing a growth mindset. After each session, take time to evaluate what strategies were effective and which ones fell short. This ongoing assessment helps refine your approach, ensuring that you continually adapt and improve your coaching methods to better support your clients. By analyzing successes and setbacks, you can identify patterns and tailor your techniques to individual needs, making the coaching process more impactful.

Reflecting on challenges is essential for a growth mindset. It's crucial to view obstacles not as setbacks but as elements of growth. Michael Jordan said, "Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." Clients often face difficulties due to fear or feeling unprepared. As a coach, create a safe space for them to express concerns without judgment. By listening attentively and empathizing, you understand their challenges better. Reflection helps you adapt your approach, increasing client engagement and fostering mutual growth and resilience.

He observado que la reflexión es parte esencial de todo el proceso del coaching. Sin reflexión no hay aprendizaje, así de sencillo. Como dije anteriormente, cada cliente es diferente, por eso hay que comenzar conversando con la persona para empatizar con su energía y necesidades personales. Todos tenemos diferentes sensibilidades y el coach debe adaptarse sin que esto le haga perder el objetivo de la consulta: ayudar al cliente y que este aproveche al máximo su consulta. Asimismo, es recomendable siempre estar al tanto de las técnicas y tendencias más avanzadas.

Resistance will always be part of the journey as path to success is never a straight line. A great coach shows compassion and empathy for the client whenever the client faces resistance, while at the same time provides the client relief, support and encouragement. This is power of coaching! The client leaves always the session feeling much better and with renewed energy, belief in themselves, self-confidence and positive expectation. It is easy to forget in the daily hustle and especially in the face of challenges that you have all it takes. A great coach will remind you how powerful, amazing and resourceful you are and that you are creator of your future!

Involve clients in this reflective process, making them active participants in deciding the course of action. When clients feel like important stakeholders in their own development, resistance decreases as they take ownership of their growth. I personally encourage open dialogue, inviting clients to share their thoughts and preference. This fosters a sense of collaboration. It also helps to provide tools and resources tailored to their unique needs, enhancing their engagement and commitment. Celebrate small victories along the way, motivating them to stay invested in the process.

A mí me ha resultado conversar abiertamente con el cliente para asegurarle su tranquilidad y propiedad de su proceso. Hay clientes que traen muchos procesos traumáticos, por tanto hay que crear un espacio de confianza y seguridad en la consulta, al tiempo que se explica que la coach es simplemente una herramienta de crecimiento. Al final del día, es bueno que el cliente sepa que ellos fueron los que hicieron los logros; yo simplemente fui un canal conductor.

Acknowledge efforts over results. For a client who is unable to take adequate steps for improvement, taking the smallest steps needs to encouraged. We also need to shift the focus of the client from the inadequacy of results to the fact that they now developing capabilities and skills that will help them achieve their outcomes.

Es de suma importancia crear un espacio seguro, de confianza con el cliente. Que cada vez que se conecte con la coach, se genere ese espacio. Esto ayuda a general diálogos constructivos, donde el refuerzo positivo se da de manera más fluida y natural, sin entrar en infantilismos. El refuerzo positivo es más bueno y efectivo cuanto más auténtico es el proceso del coaching.