There will be times when you are called upon, by your client, to deliver great advice. Your client looks to you to be the strong mentor who has been in the shoes in which they are now walking.
This is such a tempting situation. You know exactly what needs to be done and what needs to be said to remedy the problem. You can’t wait to share your brilliant ideas.
Resist!
Resist the urge give advice, first. Notice the times when you had a sound idea and good advice only to find the person you shared it with never did anything about it. Even if you know the answer, let your client say it. Give them time to work with a situation first before you automatically jump in. Even if you plant the seed for a great plan, let your client ‘come up with the idea.’
Once a person verbalizes an idea, it begins to take shape in their minds and becomes real. It is the savvy coach who lets solutions come out of the client’s mouth. You just may discover how quick they are to move on it.
Just an idea…
Will Craig is the founder and dean of Coach Training Alliance, an international coaching and mentoring company based in Boulder, Colorado. He holds a Masters degree in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University.