Susan Britton explains how coaches should become "bilingual" by using their client's own metaphors and language. When a client describes needing a "shield" to face their boss, the coach mirrors that image and asks what the shield allows, what it's made of, and where it sits, helping the client find their own answers.
Susan here with a coaching tip. I live in California and most of the state speaks more than one language. And I think about being bilingual, and as I think about being bilingual, I think coaches need to be bilingual. And I don't mean that you speak two different languages. I mean that you speak the client's language. And for example, if a client is using a particular word or a metaphor or an image, you want to make sure that you pick up that language and use it with them. So for example, I just heard somebody use the word, "I sort of need like a shield to be able to go in and have that conversation with my boss." And so if you pick up that word shield, you become bilingual. You start using it with them and you ask them questions like, "So what does that shield allow you to do? What is that shield made of? Where's the shield sitting right now? What happens if you don't have your shield?" So really help them use the language that makes sense to them. And when you do, they're going to be able to more easily process and figure out what it is that they want to do that's going to equip them to move forward.
Susan’s ICF Educator Award | The Heart Behind the Impact Katy Montgomery, PCC
