Here's how you can effectively convey empathy in personal coaching.

Give your undivided attention to the client, maintaining eye contact and avoiding interruptions. Active listening helps build trust and understanding. Practical tip: Paraphrase what the client says to ensure you grasp their perspective, e.g., "Just to make sure I understand, you're saying...".

Doctors cut patients off on seven out of ten occasions, with a median of 11 seconds to interruption. Patients who were allowed to finish talking took between two and 108 seconds, according to the study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The simple act of letting somebody talk for 2mins uninterrupted elevates you above most.

Absolutely, empathy is key in coaching. It's essential to create a safe space where clients feel heard and understood. By actively listening and validating their feelings, we empower them to express themselves openly, enhancing the coaching journey for both coach and client.

Acknowledge and accept the client's emotions, rather than dismissing or judging them. Validation creates a safe space for open expression. Practical tip: Use empathetic phrases like "That makes sense" or "I can imagine how that would feel" to show understanding and support.

Reflect back your comprehension of the client's situation, highlighting their strengths and resilience. Sharing understanding fosters a sense of connection and encouragement. Practical tip: Use specific examples from the client's story to illustrate your understanding, e.g., "I see how your past experiences have shaped your goals".

Be authentic and transparent in your interactions, showing empathy and compassion. Authenticity builds trust and credibility. Practical tip: Share a personal experience or vulnerability (if appropriate) to demonstrate your relatability and humanity, e.g., "I've faced a similar challenge too, and I understand how tough it can be".

If you want to create a safe space for clients to share and express themselves, sometimes you need to restrain your own expression. Your facial expressions, noises you make, body language is all getting picked up on by the client. If you stay open, engaged and non-judgemental, you'll be able to extract more information from people.

Sometimes less is more. Many people don’t know how to extend empathy while also not trying to fix or make it better for the other person. Simply put your hand over your heart and say nothing. It conveys empathy without making the other person feel like they needed to be “fixed. “

While empathy is an important quality for a coach, there is a fine line between empathy and ownership. You can't own your clients' challenges. It's not your job to solve the challenge. It's your job to elicit insight and help your client convert that insight to action