You're faced with a client questioning your coaching methods. How can you prove your expertise?

You must be prepared as a coach to get feedback from clients so, the last thing to do is to be taken aback or take it personally when client's feedback is not as you expected. When an issue like this comes up, don't avoid it. - Acknowledge the elephant in the room and go first, before the client has to bring it up - Be vulnerable as you go first - it fosters trust - Force clarify on what would make the client's experience better Trust is an important basis for any successful relationship, including in coaching. And it's your responsibility to foster this trust environment.

Is client is unique and has his or her own needs and goals. One size coaching does not fit all. In my practice, I try to design the best coaching methos for each particular client, however, will provide other coaches referrals if I see the client will benefit best from their style than from mine.

I highly disagree. I would not talk about credentials at that moment. Credentials at that moment, are irrelevant to what the client is feeling. I would ask about the client expectations, his/her beliefs about what would be best for them and I would say "I understand and respect why you are felling like that, thank you for sharing" and I would explain my approach versus his approach, without take the value of his/her opinion and feelings.

Whatever my qualifications, sometimes a client might not want me on their journey with them. I'm not going to try to convince them otherwise.

Tangible Results are paramount. With it then we have no social proof of our effectiveness as a coach. It is different to being a builder and building a house- there is physical proof that we see with our eyes. For us coaches, we depend on the honest word and positive transformation that our clients have achieved when working with us! Tangible Results, Social Proof, and we must fit into the category of Know, like and Trust’ with each and every one of our clients. That takes work.

Testimonials are a powerful and easily accessible way to give potential new clients an insight into how you work. I think it is useful to have a few clients who are also willing to be contacted to share their experience too.

So, I believe real-life success stories also reflect the adaptability of your methods across diverse challenges. When someone sees how your coaching helped others succeed, even in seemingly insurmountable circumstances, it reassures them that with the right guidance, they too can achieve their goals. In a world full of uncertainty, these tangible outcomes serve as a beacon of hope, giving potential clients the confidence they need to take that first step.

Sharing success stories of past clients can be incredibly powerful. When you tell a client about others who have achieved their goals through your coaching, it provides tangible proof of your effectiveness. Remember to respect confidentiality; share the nature of the success without revealing personal details.

Indeed, the basic premise of coaching is based on not telling. Not telling means asking, since we believe in it eternally if what worked for us or even many others might not work for you. Hence, first get into the aspect of embracing clients questions, trust you me, if they are asking questions then the process is working. Ownership can only be created by challegeing a way or a perspective. Embrace the client questions and see them positively as they are those windows which may allow you to create a safe space for them to reflect if this might not work then what might - probable chances are that they will come up with alternates and that's what the core objective anyway is. When the client finds and answer, the client takes the action too

Explain why your method works and makes sense. Find out what the client objections are exactly and address each one patiently and graciously. Also , if there is a lot of resistance, and after you have offered all of the above, consider they may not be someone you want to work with perhaps.

I think Coaching is highly personalised more than customised. As much as one follows the structure and framework that has been a part of how Coaching actually works, it would be correct to say that no two Coachees are same and no two goals are same (even if they “feel” same). Explaining to the client that Coaching is a technique that will keep their interest, beliefs, perspectives in mind more than just being a “structure” to follow would be the apt way to go. Perhaps the idea that Coaching comes from them, it is about them and that they are the hero of their journey and they can play the part as they like with a Coach who will facilitate it makes the Coaching engagement successful.

Explain how your coaching methods are not one-size-fits-all but are tailored to each individual's needs. Clients need to understand that your strategies are designed to be flexible and adaptable.

To demonstrate your expertise, highlight your tailored approaches in your coaching. Please make sure to emphasize how you adapt your methods to meet each client's unique needs and goals. Explain how you assess their individual strengths, weaknesses, and challenges to develop a personalized coaching plan. Tailor your approach to show that you understand the client's specific situation and are committed to their success.

Refer to the theoretical frameworks that underpin your coaching methods. Explain how these frameworks provide a solid foundation for your practice and how they contribute to the effectiveness of your approach. Discuss the relevant research and evidence that support your use of these frameworks. Highlight the theoretical underpinnings of your coaching. This will establish your credibility and demonstrate your knowledge of the field.

Las credenciales no siempre son lo importante, se puede tener título universitario, como lo he visto, pero poca calidad humana o poca inteligencia emocional, que también lo he visto. Así que cuando se afirma que las credenciales son lo más importante puede que se este siendo ignorante de otras capacidades que no provienen de los estudios. Lo ideal es que estén presentes todas las capacidades necesarias para implementar el rol. Prefiero una buena persona y prepararla, y llevará tiempo aprender los conocimientos, que una persona sin valores humanos con credenciales, pues los valores humanos no se aprenden en ninguna formación.

I think theoretical frameworks will work with clients who are theorists. For clients with a learning style different from this, it might not work. Many of the clients would only believe when they experience it. So, this might not really be an effective way to prove your expertise.

This case is the same in almost every profession..However, in coaching this is more often as there is an infinite field of new techniques and methods that a successful coach must be up to date in order to have flexibility and thus, more chances to solve the client's issues.

In my experience if there’s a lack of trust among you and your client, it often stems from insufficient psychological safety. Concerns about giving feedback or speaking up—due to fear of judgment, conflict, or breaches of confidence—can hinder open communication. To address this, ensure that the coaching sessions are confidential and secure spaces. Encourage an environment where your client feels comfortable sharing feedback and discussing challenges openly.

Take into consideration that it might not be a matter of methods used, but a matter of building or regaining trust. If you are at the beginning of the process, make sure you introduce yourself, your strategies and a few success stories. This will set the ground on which you will start building the relationship with your client. If you are already engaged in the coaching process and the client starts questioning your approach, then you should initiate a deeper conversation. Maybe the client’s needs have changed, maybe at some point something didn’t work out as expected and the client lost his trust or engagement. Try to investigate and find out what is behind the reluctance of your client.

I believe that a client has every right to bring up anything that they are uncomfortable with. It is important to get to the root of their discomfort and if indeed the concern is with the method, it's best to explain why, as a coach you are using that method. However, In my experience such a situation is more likely to arise in cases where there is a lack of trust and safety so it may be worthwhile to explore that aspect as well.

Listening to the clients concerns and giving space for feedback is important. Sometimes clients need space to just vent, and as a Coach, we must create a safe space for that too. Not every session is going to go as planned, sometimes we need to pause, allow for setbacks, let clients know that it’s ok to have setbacks, and that we can brainstorm ways to navigate. Just as REAL life is.. not everything is black and white, and it’s important to empower the client to use the tools presented, but to be able trouble shoot is even better. Open dialogue, presenting case studies and examples often helps.