Facilitating communication in your coaching sessions

Communication plays an essential role in getting what we want in our personal lives as well as in the workplace. In coaching, open communication is essential, as it acts as the foundation for the growth and development of the entire relationship. Therefore, knowing how to employ effective communication techniques is essential.

Successful communication is a two-way process, where information is constantly being received and sent. Finding a common point of understanding is what will determine understanding since each person is a world and we do not always perceive, think and express the same things in the same way. It all depends on our experiences, upbringing, cultural influence, educational and professional background and so on. So one person will not necessarily interpret correctly what another person expresses. It will depend on their filters and how what they hear fits their perspective. And sometimes they are small details like a gesture for example, but they can facilitate or hinder the dialogue.

The best antidote to poor interpretation is of course good feedback. This is achieved through effective questions that allow you to assess the listener's level of understanding and ensure that the message is being properly interpreted.

Effective listening skills are essential to catch not only the words being spoken, but also the underlying emotional nuances and concerns. Learning to listen with empathy is a strength that every good coach should cultivate.

To achieve effective communication in a coaching session, it is important to:

• Manage interactions effectively. Maintain objectivity and professionalism at all times.

• Develop effective listening skills. Such as active listening and powerful questions to delve deeper into topics of interest.

• Finding the questioning strategy that best suits your audience. Choosing the type of questions and tone that they are most comfortable with and that will allow you to establish a connection.

Here is a breakdown of the key aspects of how to facilitate communication in your coaching sessions:

• Active listening: Active listening is more than simply hearing the client's words. It requires paying undivided attention, showing interest and asking questions to gain deep understanding.

• Clarity and simplicity: Use clear and simple language to ensure that the message is easily understood. Avoid jargon or complicated terms that can lead to confusion.

• Ask open-ended questions: Open-ended questions encourage conversation and allow the customer to express themselves in more detail. Avoid closed questions that require only brief answers.

• Empathy: Show empathy for the client by understanding and sharing their emotions and perspectives without being drawn into them. Empathy creates a supportive and trusting environment. Value and validate the emotions the client expresses. Acknowledging their feelings can help create an atmosphere of openness.

• Reflect and summarize: Reflect and summarize what the client has shared to demons