How To Offer Uncomfortable Feedback As A Coach

Many professional coaches struggle to master this skill

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash.

Offering uncomfortable feedback to a client is a delicate process and requires a thoughtful approach.

It is one of the most difficult skills to master and requires patience, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.

Here are key steps to consider:

1.Establish Trust and Rapport: Before offering any feedback, especially if it’s potentially uncomfortable, it’s crucial to have established a strong foundation of trust and rapport with the client. They need to feel that you are on their side and that your feedback is coming from a place of genuine concern and a desire to help them grow.

2. Permission and Readiness: Ask for permission to provide feedback. This step respects the client’s autonomy and prepares them to be receptive. Ensure they are in the right mindset to receive and process the feedback.

3. Use the Sandwich Technique: Frame the uncomfortable feedback between positive statements. Start with something they are doing well, then deliver the uncomfortable feedback, and conclude with a positive note or a constructive suggestion. This method helps in reducing defensiveness.