One of the cornerstones of Co-Active Coaching, what I’m certified in, is addressing the client’s whole life–not just the business aspects. If I sense interference from a client’s partner, family member or other outside force I acknowledge it and bring it to the table.

I didn’t even have to bring it up in a coaching call this week. My client said that her agenda that morning included a recap of her successes and a desire to talk about her mother-in-law. I could feel my stomach turning in empathy as she described the demands being put on her by her husband and his challenging, ultra-negative mother. He wanted her to place a daily call so that his mother would not feel so alone. I asked her if she would be willing to say no.

From that moment on the level of energy in our conversation shifted. She realized she had a choice in the matter. Although she was nervous about taking that stand, she was coming from a place of empowerment. She could immediately feel the freedom in that decision and all of the possibilities it opened up for her.

Of course, I was anxious to hear how she fared after we hung up. I didn’t have to wait very long. She’s an amazing client.  She told her husband she would not be making the daily phone calls. He said, “Okay.” I wished I’d had my Staples Easy button there for her to push and celebrate that victory.

She did all the work, which is monumental, even in its simplicity. She ended her email report to me with these words:

I feel years of anxiety and stress lifting from me from all the things I have been doing.

…and then went on to describe all of the actions she was taking to move her business forward.

Advertisement