Nearing the end of a session, your client is still not quite sure what to do about a specific situation. You have the feeling that a similar experience that you have had in the past might be useful for the client. The worst response is:
A.
Tell the client that you have had a similar experience and you know exactly what they should do.
B.
Ask the client if you can tell them a story, and then ask them to share what is relevant in the story.
C.
Share your story and list the possible options your client can try.
D.
Share with the client that you have had a similar experience and enquire if the client would like to hear and see if anything in there may or may not be useful.
Option A is the worst as it imposes the coach’s solution, contradicting Competency 2.2 (partnership) and Competency 8.3 (client autonomy). It breaches Ethics Section 2.2 (avoiding bias) and the ICF Definition of Coaching by shifting to a directive stance.
Option B and C are less intrusive but still assume relevance. Option D (best, see Question 9) respects the client. A most severely undermines the coaching process by prioritizing the coach’s agenda.
[References:ICF Core Competencies (2.2, 8.3); ICF Code of Ethics (2.2); ICF Definition of Coaching., , ]
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