What are some effective ways to coach a difficult client?

1 Assess their goals and needs

Before you start coaching a client, you need to understand their goals and needs. What are they hoping to achieve with their voice? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their preferences and learning styles? By asking these questions, you can tailor your coaching approach to suit their individual needs and avoid frustration. You can also set realistic and measurable objectives that align with their goals and track their progress.

2 Communicate clearly and respectfully

Communication is key to building trust and rapport with your client. You need to communicate clearly and respectfully, using positive and constructive language. You need to listen actively and empathetically, acknowledging their feelings and concerns. You need to give honest and specific feedback, highlighting their achievements and areas for improvement. You need to avoid criticism, judgment, or blame, and instead focus on solutions and encouragement. You also need to be open to feedback from your client and adjust your coaching style accordingly.

3 Create a supportive and fun environment

Coaching a difficult client can be stressful and draining, but you can make it more enjoyable and rewarding by creating a supportive and fun environment. You can do this by using humor, games, stories, or music to lighten the mood and engage your client. You can also use praise, rewards, or incentives to motivate your client and boost their confidence. You can also create a safe space for your client to express themselves and experiment with their voice, without fear of failure or ridicule.

4 Set boundaries and expectations

Sometimes, a difficult client may test your patience and professionalism, by being rude, demanding, or uncooperative. In these cases, you need to set boundaries and expectations, and enforce them consistently. You need to establish the rules and expectations of your coaching relationship, such as the frequency, duration, and mode of sessions, the payment and cancellation policies, and the code of conduct. You need to be firm and assertive, but not aggressive or defensive. You need to explain the consequences of breaking the rules or expectations, and follow through with them if necessary.

5 Seek support and feedback

Coaching a difficult client can be challenging and isolating, but you don't have to do it alone. You can seek support and feedback from other vocal coaches, mentors, or peers, who can offer you advice, guidance, or empathy. You can also seek feedback from your client, by asking them how they feel about the coaching process, what they like or dislike, and what they want to change or improve. By seeking support and feedback, you can learn from your experiences, improve your skills, and cope with stress.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?