What should a coach do to listen effectively during a session?

Listening effectively during a coaching session is crucial for building rapport, understanding the client's needs, and facilitating meaningful conversations. The correct approach involves listening more than speaking because it allows the coach to fully grasp the client's thoughts and feelings. This attentive listening helps the coach identify patterns, underlying issues, and areas of focus that may require exploration.

When coaches prioritize listening, they create a safe and open environment in which clients feel heard and valued. This fosters trust and encourages clients to share more openly, leading to deeper insights and more impactful coaching outcomes. Effective listening also means being responsive to the content and emotions expressed by the client, which can guide the conversation in a way that benefits the client's progress.

In contrast, speaking more than the client can result in missing critical information and can hinder the coaching process. Being concise in responses has its place, but it should not overshadow the importance of active listening. Similarly, relying solely on closed questions can limit the depth of the conversation and restrict the client's ability to express themselves fully. Thus, the emphasis on listening more than speaking is essential for creating an effective coaching dynamic.