I thought I might continue Sunday’s discussion with one of the core principles of Coaching: Trust the Client. What the heck does that mean?
Here’s the idea: The coaching client is wise, resourceful, creative, and intelligent. So if the client is all of these things, why do they even have any issues they’d like to discuss with the coach? Easy: the client is human.
Imagine someone who you view as extremely successful and resourceful, someone who really has their act together. Do they have issues in life? Of course. What’s different is that this person is great at working through those issues, organizing their thoughts, and tapping other resources around them.
Every one of us has the ability to do that, and a great coach will help you work through the process.
When the client is wise, resourceful, creative, and intelligent, then it’s no longer about the coach “fixing” the client. Instead, the client joyfully pulls from the coach as an available resource, and the conversation turns into a playful dance. It’s challenging and fun.
It’s important to note, too, that the goal of a coach is always to help the client grow in self-sufficiency. Success is when the client is having coaching conversations inside his or her own brain – whether that’s accomplished in five minutes or five months.