147. Meta Coaching

Meta Coaching is the process of addressing a client's patterns, behaviors, and responses to the coaching process itself. It goes beyond the content of the conversations and delves into how the client expresses themselves, engages with the coaching goals, and responds to the coach.

There are three different ways in which you can use Meta Coaching with your clients: how the client expresses themselves and shares their thoughts, how they respond to the overall coaching process, and how they respond to you as their coach.

In coaching sessions, clients often share their thoughts and emotions as they work through their challenges. However, it's important to pay attention to how they express themselves and the patterns and themes that emerge. For example, some clients may apologize for feeling certain emotions, as if they need permission to experience them. By addressing this tendency to apologize, you can help them embrace their emotions without judgment or apology.

The way a client engages with the coaching process can also provide valuable insights into their overall approach to personal growth and development. For example, if a client consistently shows up late to sessions, it may indicate a lack of commitment or difficulty with time management. By addressing this behavior, you can help them explore any underlying issues that may be hindering their progress.

The coach-client relationship is an intimate one, requiring trust, vulnerability, and open communication. How a client responds to the coach can also provide valuable insights into the dynamics of other relationships. For example, if a client becomes defensive or resistant, it may indicate underlying issues such as fear of failure or a need for control. By addressing this defensiveness, you can help them explore their fears and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Meta Coaching goes beyond the content of the coaching sessions and delves into the client's patterns, behaviors, and responses to the coaching process. By addressing these underlying issues, you can create a more effective and transformational coaching experience.

To become a Certified Professional Coach, visit ⁠⁠www.thrivingcoachacademy.com⁠⁠.