Coming alive

One of the things I love most in coaching is seeing a client come alive.

It’s hard to describe, as everyone’s different.

Sometimes the first sign is something I feel myself – a sense of lifting or lightness as I listen. As a coach, tuning into my own feelings can really deepen my understanding of what the person in front of me is feeling.

Sometimes it’s a change in the pace of how they speak, hesitancy melting into fluency, the tone of voice becoming more animated.

Sometimes it’s body language – the body taking up more space, eyes sparlking, hands moving more as they map out new possibilities.

Mostly I don’t need to say anything, just listen as they follow the spark where it takes them. Seeing frustration opening into hope, strengths coming to light, blockages starting to free up.

Lots of people aren’t used to being in touch with this part of themselves, and I often see them back away into a more limited view of their possibilities. Laughing nervously or apologising for going off track.

But that’s when I say, “You know, when you were talking about that, you really came alive. I think there’s something really powerful and important there – would you like to spend a bit more time thinking about where that takes you?”

I can’t come up with ideas for people. But the more I coach, the better I become at finding the questions that help people dare to dream about what they want. To exercise their wanting muscles. And gently help them own the energy and strength that they’ve been hiding.

Because the people who allow themselves to tap into that creative energy go places.

How could I help you come alive?