The best things I learned in training: Holding the space

Is a key component of the coaches repertoire

In contracting you remind the coachee that the space is safe (confidential, no judgement with the coachee setting the boundary with how you may challenge them) and the time is for them to use as they see fit. And with active listening you show your care and presence

Silence is a huge part of holding the space (if you're speaking, you can't be fully listening), it allows the coachee to process thoughts emotions and feelings; you to reflect on what has been said or shown so far and; grants the coachee the power to pace the flow of the conversation - not take part in a back and forth conversational "tennis match"

Occasionally when a particularly difficult emotion or topic has come up, in holding the silence, rather than use non verbal sounds, which defeat the whole point of the silence, I find myself filling the silence with gesture - a hand to the heart with a soft smile of empathy

It's a move that come from work during my PCC with Carole Lewis and Jean Balfour and that I've found useful with coachee after coachee. But at its heart it comes from holding the space!