Maintains Presence5 min
The Power of Silence
Practice holding silence after the client speaks. Most coaches rush to fill gaps. Learn to let silence do the work.
Example
After client says: 'I just don't know what to do anymore'
✓Effective
... (3 seconds of silence) ... 'Stay with that feeling for a moment. What comes up for you?'
✗Less Effective
'Well, have you thought about making a list of options?'
Why? Silence gives the client space to go deeper. Jumping to solutions pulls them out of their emotional experience.
Tips for This Exercise
- 1Count to 5 silently after the client stops speaking
- 2Notice your urge to fill the silence — that's your discomfort, not the client's need
- 3When you do speak, reference what they just said, not a new direction
- 4A simple 'Tell me more' is often better than a clever question
Ready to Practice?
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