In coaching, at times it’s crucial to be able to recognize and appreciate your client’s achievement, new type of positive thinking/behavior and/or a new, healthier response to an old situation. It is just as important to notice and appreciate a new application of our clients’ strengths and abilities. The truth is, we all want to be acknowledged. Not only it strengthens our ego (in a good way) and confidence, it also creates motivation to do even more. Appreciation and acknowledgement increases productivity and, from the position of coaching, it often creates awareness for our clients about their strengths and abilities where there was none or very little. I can’t tell you how many times I heard, “I really never thought about myself this way” in response to my comment about my client’s specific set of skills I noticed. 

I was especially made aware of this competency as someone commented via social media on anniversary of my coach training programs at Goal Imagery Institute: “I hope you know how much I admire your work.” The thing is, we don’t really know unless we are told.

However, it’s not as easy as it seems. Not knowing how to do it correctly, we can sound parental or interrupt our client’s thinking if our timing is off. To learn how to express your appreciation the ‘right’ way — you may consider taking the coach training course. Goal Imagery Coach Training starts Jan. 6.

Thoughts?