There is one skill that stands above all the rest when it comes to your Health Coach toolbox. Can you guess what it is?

We’ll give you some hints…

• It’s free.
• You can do it anytime and anywhere.
• It isn’t very hard to master.
• It can make a huge difference in how you coach.

Do you have any ideas as to what it is?

If you guess listening, you’re right!

If you talk to any experienced Health Coach, they will be the first to tell you that listening is one of the key tools to use with your client, in every session, to establish trust, cultivate connection, and ultimately be an effective coach.

WHY IS LISTENING IMPORTANT?

Your ability to listen to your client effectively will not only determine your success in treating them, but it will also impact the level of trust they are able to put in you.

If your client doesn’t trust you, you will not be able to coach effectively!

We tell it like it is! So, if you’re looking to be an effective coach, offering their client true healing and transformation (which we know you are!) then devoting time to improving and perfecting your listening skills should be on your to-do list… ASAP!

Using the techniques below will make you not only a highly successful and effective coach but a lean, mean, listening machine!

Okay, so we know you don’t want to be mean, but you get what we’re saying!

MASTER THIS SKILL TO BE AN EFFECTIVE HEALTH COACH

BE ATTENTIVE

Remain focused on your client. Keep an open mind and be sure that you are absorbing the information they are giving you.

A great way to do this is to journal prior to your session to brain dump anything that might steal your attention away from being fully present with your client.

Doing a deep breathing exercise or meditating just before your session will also help to clear your mind. The fewer distractions you have floating around in your head, the more available and focused you will be.

BE A MIRROR

Reflect your client’s words back to them. This shows them that you are listening to understand what they are experiencing and feeling.

Paraphrase or summarize what they’re saying back to them for approval. Make sure you repeat keywords and important points as you speak.

Allow them to correct you, and repeat until you are sure you understand. When you do, then you can move on. This step is very important because if your client does not feel heard or that you understand them, they will not fully trust you.

This also helps you to get clear on understanding what they need in the session and beyond the session.

ASK QUESTIONS

Asking questions can fill in the gaps of what they’re saying and what you’re comprehending.

Sometimes we think we are saying things clearly, but because we already have all the details in our mind, the thoughts are ambiguous when spoken aloud. If you aren’t clear, just ask.

You’ll notice that when you ask for clarification or help them to elaborate on what they are trying to say, they not only appreciate it, but they also feel like you care. This is a great way to uncover what they want to say but are too afraid to bring to the surface.

PROVIDE FEEDBACK

When you truly understand what is being said, provide feedback.

Give your client information that supports or opposes what they are saying. Make sure you’re offering solutions to problems and not belittling their concerns.

Hold space for them to assess your feedback and allow them to take time to process it. By doing this, you’ll allow them to mentally assess how they are feeling and how they’d like to respond.

Remember that this session is about them and their journey!

MASTER THE SKILL OF LISTENING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE HEALTH COACH

By practicing the above techniques over and over, you’ll definitely begin to find you are more comfortable using them in every session.

These techniques have the power of setting you apart from other coaches and in time, help to fill your client list with client’s who want to be heard and who know you’re the coach for the job!

Once you master the skill of listening as a Health Coach, you’ll find that you are more relaxed within your sessions and your clients will have bigger breakthroughs!

Say “Yes, please!” if you want to experience those in your practice!

Have you ever really thought about how you’re listening to your clients before? If so, tell us what you discovered below!