Competency 5: Maintains Presence 

This competency, Maintains Presence, requires us as coaches, to be in a place of being, as opposed to doing.  For many of us busy, high achievers, the ability to stop doing and just BE, can be a real challenge.  These PCC Markers give us some direction on how we can truly be with our clients, be present with them so they feel validated and understood.

5.1: Coach acts in response to the whole person of the client (the who).

When we invite our clients to share their topic for the coaching session, their first statement usually relates to what is sitting on the surface for them, as this is the safest space for them.  Delving deeper into our thoughts and situations can be challenging.  So, it makes sense that the client in the first instance chooses the safest option.  Asking questions, and being curious to find out more about your client, will reveal to you who they are.  This is partnering with your client to venture into unknown territory so they go into a space of being, and discover more about themselves.  Having a focus on asking the client about their thoughts, feelings and beliefs in relation to a situation, is an effective way to respond to the whole person of your client (who they are).

5.2: Coach acts in response to what the client wants to accomplish throughout this session (the what). 

At the end of the session, we support our clients to apply their knowledge gained from the coaching conversation.  This is putting their insights into action.  I consider it most effective if most of the middle part of the coaching conversation stays in being with the client.  To explore who they are and who they want/need to be.  Then, there is also the practicality of applying this knowledge that needs to be addressed.   Actions speak louder than words.  So then, supporting our clients into action, into the doing to accomplish their outcome, is how you as a coach, can respond to your client (what action is needed).

5.3: Coach partners with the client by supporting the client to choose what happens in this session. 

The easiest way to partner with your client so they choose what happens in the session, is to as often as possible, ask or seek their permission! If your client opens with three topics to discuss, then ask which one needs to be addressed before the others.  Your client then has the choice to determine where to start.  During the conversation, if the client goes off on a tangent, then check if this has more importance to them in this moment, and ask to where they want to conversation to proceed. As you transition to the final part of the session, invite your client summarise what they have learnt so far, and ask what they are inspired to do now. Again, the choice of action is totally in the hands of your client.  

I often think that we walk the same path with our clients, and I just follow half a pace behind, so they have the ultimate decision of when to stop, when to proceed and when to take a turn.