As coaches, there are many things to be listening for as a client speaks, more than their words alone. This article explores some of the non-verbal communication to pay attention to, often also called client “somatic” information. Non-verbal information can...
Category: Coaching Mentoring Tips
A learning mindset never ends
Learning a new skill to a higher level of proficiency takes more than just time, practice and repetition; it involves motivation, tenacity, iteration, and consistency of effort. Most often, there are beliefs and habits to be examined and shifted, plus...
Facilitating Client Growth
This article has been updated in 2023. In order to explain the structure of a coaching session, I’ve observed there are roughly three phases to every coaching session; a Beginning Phase, a Middle Phase and an End Phase. (Okay, so...
How to use a transcript to improve your coaching performance
This article has been updated in May 2026. This blog article is an unofficial “part two” to the blog article I wrote called, Jigsaw Piece Listening. If you haven’t read it, please do as it sets the context for this...
Jigsaw piece listening
This article has been updated in May 2026. Near the beginning of a coaching session, the coach will ask the client something like, “What would you like to focus on today in this session?” The coach then listens and engages...
Butterfly on the Wall Coaching Series
Have you ever wanted to be a "butterfly" on the wall hanging out (inconspicuously, of course) while an experienced coach is coaching their client? Here's a very rare, unique opportunity to get an insider's peek into the real relationship...
Celebrating Master Certified Coaches
Every year, our professional association, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) puts focus on the positive impact and power of coaching skills, and of course, coaches in the world. This year, International Coaching Week (ICW) is from May 17-23, 2021. This...
Is the Profession of Coaching related to Mental Health Services?
This article seeks to clarify some of the differences between the domains of a Coaching Professional, versus a Mental Health Professional. And the common place that both professions work with, yet from different perspectives - the well-being of the person....
Some of my learnings from one year of pandemic lockdown
March 13, 2020; I remember it well. The National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States (where I live) announced that an elite player had tested positive for Covid-19 and stopped all games in the league indefinitely. Almost overnight it...
Falling in love with coaching (again)
I love coaching! It’s been nearly 23 years since I participated in my first 125+ hour professional coaching training program. I’m still as passionate about coaching “skills” as I’ve ever been, if not more so. Yet many coaches who I...