What is a key component of active listening in coaching?

Reflecting the client's feelings is a fundamental component of active listening in coaching. This practice involves the coach acknowledging and validating the emotions expressed by the client, which helps to foster a deeper connection and understanding between them. By reflecting feelings, the coach demonstrates empathy and ensures that the client feels heard and understood, which is crucial for building trust within the coaching relationship.

When clients sense that their feelings are recognized, it encourages them to open up further, facilitating a more effective coaching dialogue. This can lead to greater insights and breakthroughs during the coaching process, as the client feels more comfortable exploring their thoughts and emotions.

Using technical jargon would likely alienate clients who may not understand it, leading to confusion rather than clarity. Interrupting the client disrupts the flow of conversation and can hinder effective communication, while sharing personal anecdotes often shifts the focus away from the client’s experience, which is counterproductive to the coaching goal of prioritizing the client’s perspective.