Question from a Coach – Helping Your Clients That Lack Follow-Through

Coach Sandra?- How do you coach “difficult” clients with a lack of motivation, follow-through and those that get stuck in victim mentality?

Jennifer?– First you get to recognize that this person is a perfect candidate for coaching, which is really good news. But more importantly, if you decide that a client is “difficult” then you need to reframe your assessment of them. They're not difficult. They just need coaching, right?

So if your client is playing the victim or unmotivated or not following through with things, you get to hold up the mirror and show him that.

For example, “So Keith, I notice that you place a lot of blame on your father and now your sister-in-law.

What are you noticing?”

Or?“How does that resonate?”

Or?“What comes up for you when I say that?”

Or?“I'm noticing that you're making a commitment to work on these things, and you appear committed to these actions, but you’re not following through. What do you think that's about Keith?”

So it's a mirror. You’re reflecting it back to him. Or if you don't fill ballzy enough, you can simply ask – “So what makes you want to blame your father for this?”

Or?“If you weren't blaming your father, what responsibility could you take for this being your reality?”

Or?“What needs to happen for you to follow through with your commitments, Keith?”

So you can avoid getting in the client’s face and simply reflect it back to them with a question. But the important thing is not to feel like you have to back down or be nice. Because you're not getting paid to be nice. You're getting paid to challenge the client and reflect what you’re witnessing back to them.

About the Author ?

Jennifer Powers is an ICF Master Certified Coach and founder of Powerhouse Coaching. Powerhouse Coaching specializes in leading 10-hour Group Mentor Coaching Classes for coaches wanting to attain or renew their ACC, PCC or MCC ? credentialing from the International Coaching Federation . Powerhouse Coaching also offers 75-hour ICF Level 3 Master Certified Coach courses to coaches wanting to move from PCC to MCC. Professional coaches can also join the Powerhouse Coaching Club which features skill building and business building for an international community of coaches.?Learn more at www.phcoach.com.