Your coachee challenges your authority during coaching. How will you assert your leadership?
When faced with resistance, asserting your leadership is crucial. Here's how to maintain control:
How do you handle authority challenges in coaching? Your strategies are valuable.
Your coachee challenges your authority during coaching. How will you assert your leadership?
When faced with resistance, asserting your leadership is crucial. Here's how to maintain control:
How do you handle authority challenges in coaching? Your strategies are valuable.
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Start by setting firm yet respectful boundaries—define the coaching dynamic and mutual expectations upfront. Active listening is key; acknowledge their perspective without undermining your role. As Marshall Goldsmith emphasizes, “What got you here won’t get you there”—help them see that their resistance might be blocking their own progress. Lead by example, embodying the adaptability and self-awareness you encourage in them. Stay focused on shared goals, reinforcing the value of the coaching process. By fostering open dialogue and demonstrating steady leadership, you turn resistance into a stepping stone for deeper learning and trust.
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When a coachee challenges my authority, I see it as an opportunity to build trust and reinforce clarity. I’d calmly address the issue, asking open-ended questions to understand their perspective and uncover the root of their concerns. Then, I’d bring the focus back to our shared goals and the proven methods we’re using to achieve them. Leadership isn’t about dominance; it’s about creating alignment and keeping the team moving forward.
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Have an open and honest conversation with the coachee to understand their perspective. Then give examples of your work on the matters concerned to build the trust. You are in the same team and have a common goal to achieve.
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If the coachee have challenged us, we should not react immediately. We need to hold our emotions & listen to them carefully. If their points are valid, we may have to take the points & try to reflect on those. We can even have one-on-one conversation with them privately to understand better from them. If needed we can give them assurance that we will incorporate the changes. Thank them for giving their views to us & we need to close it pleasantly. It will show that we are very progressive, resilient & adaptive.
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As a leader, flexibility is key. Adapt your coaching style to suit the needs of your coachee. Strategies for Adaptability - Customize Sessions: Tailor approach based on their feedback - Be Open to Feedback: Encourage them to share what works - Adjust Goals Together: Collaborate on targets to ensure alignment. ~NK
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