How can you create a comfortable space for your clients to share?

Listening actively is one of the most fundamental skill which has more to do with the coach's state of being than the client themselves. When a coach has worked enough on their own self-awareness, they start to become more observant about how they are showing up in their conversation with the client. Nodding, eye contact, paraphrasing are the external cues of a person's internal state of being.

To create a comfortable space for your life coaching clients to share, consider these steps: 1. **Build Rapport:** Establish a strong connection through genuine interactions and personal warmth. 2. **Active Listening:** Give your full attention, demonstrating that you value their words and experiences. 3. **Non-Judgmental Attitude:** Convey openness and acceptance, ensuring clients feel safe to express themselves. 4. **Confidentiality:** Assure clients that their discussions will remain private and confidential. 5. **Empathy:** Show understanding and compassion, validating their feelings and perspectives. 6. **Open-Ended Questions:** Encourage detailed responses and deeper exploration of thoughts and emotions. 7. **Reflective Responses:**

Open ended questions help the client to speak whatever they have in their mind. Not necessarily to the point answer but as a coach you can skim what you need. Also open ended questions give you some background ideas of the problem: - From where it originated? - Why did it happen? - What went wrong? - What could have been done? Clients can open up to speak their heart and mind out.

During the initial meeting it would be always great to start with interactive content rather than yes/no questions, which would feel them uncomfortable. Make a free space for the clients to speak more freely and comfortably make a trust of them that they can truly believe it’s safe to share their GDPR with you. Never come straight to the point of your product in the first 2-3 minutes. Once you believe trust is build the next few minutes is to pitch what’s suits their need and lifestyle. It’s always reading the client mind before we present ourselves.

Create a safe space for your coachee first and foremost by showing them unconditional positive regard. Really listen without judgment, letting them share openly without fear of advice or criticism. Demonstrate respect by focusing on understanding their perspective rather than imposing your own or those of the supervisor who recommended coaching. Be fully present and create an atmosphere of care, not authority. So often the issue that brought them to me isn’t the deep, underlying issue. It’s my job to help them uncover and encourage their self-reflection and self-awareness. With empathy, compassion, and encouragement, to guide them to look within for the clarity and solutions they seek

To best support your clients' growth, it's essential to monitor your own thoughts and opinions. It's natural for humans to have them so make it part of your training to notice and release them. Strengthen your belief in people's wholeness, resourcefulness and inner wisdom. Help them tap into their own so they can build self-trust. What a gift! One of the most valuable things we offer our clients is the space to explore without judgment or an agenda. Hold that space as sacred so they can find their own power over their lives.

Get coached! The most effective, empowering coaches have coaches and become a product of their product. You go first, invest in yourself, manage your own mind and stay inspired by your own life. That calm, mature energy creates the trust that allows people to empower themselves.