Hold the silence

Doing nothing is my favorite coaching technique. I simply sit, without thinking about what question I will ask next

I do this after I have asked a question

Or after the coachee has just answered a question

Or when the employee stares off into the distance in response to a question.

And it is in that space, that absence of action from me, that the magic happens.

Where the coachee, reflecting on what they have said or thought, goes deeper. To speak, to ask another question breaks the thought and impacts the insight.

It's a hard skill to learn, from an early age we are taught to speak up, maximize our use of time, strive to be as productive as possible in the shortest amount of time. But get it right, leave that space and you and the coachee can accomplish so much more.

So, as a leader, how can you leave a space for your team, to see what they say?