{"id":6534,"date":"2016-04-11T17:04:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T17:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/centerforcoachingcertification.com\/coachingblog\/?p=6534"},"modified":"2016-02-15T15:42:43","modified_gmt":"2016-02-15T15:42:43","slug":"coaching-the-challenging-client","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/coaching-the-challenging-client\/","title":{"rendered":"Coaching the Challenging Client"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n\"coaching<\/a>(from Coaching Perspectives V <\/a>\u2013 8 of 11)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Brendan was aware that Kevin was making changes, saw improvements in his already good family life, and experienced the impact of Kevin’s initiative at work.\u00a0 After a year of observing this, Brendan decided to consider coaching.<\/p>\n

Brendan met with Rachael and liked her approach.\u00a0 He was worried about Rachael coaching him since she also coached his brother.\u00a0 Rachael explained confidentiality<\/a> in coaching per the International Coach Federation Code of Ethics.\u00a0 Brendan also wanted to be clear with Rachael that he was his own person.\u00a0 Together they talked through how coaching really supports exactly that.\u00a0 Brendan decided to go ahead with a few test sessions to see if it was going to work.\u00a0 Rachael explained that because coaching is a process and creating change takes time, she wanted Brendan to commit to six sessions before starting.\u00a0 After hesitating Brendan decided to commit.<\/p>\n

In the initial session as Rachael asked Brendan about what he wanted in all different areas of his life, she observed that Brendan focused on getting away from what he did not want instead of moving toward what he did want<\/a>.\u00a0 Each time Rachael then asked Brendan to describe what he wanted instead.\u00a0 Brendan was challenged to focus on what he was moving toward.\u00a0 He was unclear on how answering Rachael’s questions made a difference until he became aware of an internal shift in his own thinking to be more positive and proactive.\u00a0 Initially after the coaching sessions Brendan stayed with his habits and routines.\u00a0 He forgot about the change in focus and how it felt different.<\/p>\n

In a subsequent coaching session Rachael asked Brendan how his thinking impacted his outcomes<\/a>.\u00a0 She asked how his thoughts became a barrier.\u00a0 Brendan realized that when he looked at half a glass of water he saw it as half empty instead of half full.\u00a0 He reflected out loud with his coach.\u00a0 As the coaching sessions continued Brendan explored whether his perspective made a difference in his outcomes and realized that it was influencing him without his being aware.<\/p>\n

As Brendan began shifting to thinking about what he wanted and how to make it happen, he said things to his coach that she challenged.\u00a0 For example, when he said he should do something, she asked if he wanted to do it.\u00a0 Brendan pushed back<\/a> and asked, “What difference does it make?”\u00a0 Rachael invited Brendan to say the same thing several different ways and reflect on the difference for himself.\u00a0 For example:<\/p>\n