| Are you taking coaching too seriously? | | | | should be fun as well! |
| If you've been coaching for a while now, or even if | | | | The bottom line here is that you're going to need to |
| you've just observed a coach in action, you know that | | | | ask your client some penetrating questions at some |
| it can be quite an emotional experience. Often your | | | | point along the line. You're going to have them |
| clients are opening up to you with emotional secrets or | | | | examining their own shortcomings, which is hardly a |
| things that they're secretly worried about or ashamed | | | | comfortable topic for anyone. If you're able to establish |
| of, and it's your job to coax them into doing exactly | | | | rapport with them through humor, then you'll have a |
| that. In addition, you'll be spending a lot of intimate time | | | | much easier time of them, and it'll seem more like a |
| with your clients, so it's natural that something of a | | | | natural dialogue rather than pulling teeth. Therefore, try |
| close, trusting relationship will be established. This is all | | | | to establish rapport early through any means you can. |
| just part of the job. | | | | Using humor can be an excellent way to make clients |
| However, it doesn't always go that way. | | | | feel more at ease. Of course, not everyone's sense of |
| There can be those clients who just aren't keen on | | | | humor is the same, but there's nothing to stop you |
| opening up to you as a coach for whatever reason. | | | | from relating principles to your client through funny |
| When this happens, you're in something of a tight spot. | | | | anecdotes rather than a "just the facts" approach. |
| As their coach, you're already committed to helping | | | | In addition, the exercises you give your client present a |
| them overcome their problems and realize greater | | | | unique opportunity for establishing rapport and creating |
| success. But if they refuse to talk to you and give you | | | | a fun environment. Rather than have them endlessly |
| the valuable information that you need, then your ability | | | | slave away at lists of their faults and goals, you should |
| to help them is going to end up severely compromised! | | | | spice things up once in a while with exercises that |
| As such, it is in your best interests as a coach to | | | | allow them to be creative and playful. This will help you |
| ensure that your clients are able to bond with you and | | | | two-fold in that the use of their imagination will make |
| are comfortable with opening up to you. In other | | | | them better critical thinkers, and also serve as a |
| words, even though coaching is a serious business, it | | | | bonding experience between the two of you. |