Breaking Through Resistance: How to Overcome Hurdles in Coaching

Resistance is a natural human response to change or challenge, and it is a common issue that coaches encounter when working with coachees. Resistance can manifest in many ways, such as procrastination, avoidance, defensiveness, or disinterest. As a coachee, recognizing and addressing resistance is essential to achieving your goals and making progress in your personal and professional development.

Here are some tips on how to recognize and work with resistance as a coachee:

Be self-aware:

Start by identifying your own resistance. Ask yourself why you might be resisting coaching, or why you might be hesitant to take certain steps or try new things. It might be fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or simply feeling overwhelmed. Once you have identified the source of your resistance, you can work with your coach to address it.

Be honest:

Honesty is key in coaching. If you are feeling resistant, it's important to be honest with your coach about it. They can't help you if they don't know what you're thinking or feeling. Be open and transparent about your concerns, fears, or doubts.

Be open-minded:

One of the goals of coaching is to help you see things from a different perspective. Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things. If you're feeling resistant, take a step back and try to understand why your coach is suggesting a particular approach. Sometimes, resistance comes from a lack of understanding or a miscommunication.

Take responsibility:

It's important to remember that coaching is a partnership. Your coach can guide you, but you need to take responsibility for your own growth and development. If you're feeling resistant, ask yourself what you can do to overcome it. Are there small steps you can take to move forward? Can you commit to trying something new?

Trust the process:

Trust the coaching process. It's natural to feel resistant at times, but trust that your coach has your best interests at heart. They are there to support you and help you achieve your goals.

So, how might a coach address resistance? Here are some approaches:

Acknowledge it:

A coach will typically acknowledge the resistance and explore it with the coachee. They will ask questions to understand the source of the resistance and work with the coachee to overcome it.

Reframe it:

A coach might help the coachee reframe their resistance as an opportunity for growth. They will help the coachee see the benefits of moving past their resistance and taking action.

Provide support:

A coach will provide support and encouragement to the coachee, helping them to build confidence and overcome their fears or source of resistance.

Break it down:

Sometimes resistance can be overwhelming. A coach might break down the task or goal into smaller, more manageable steps, making it easier for the coachee to take action.

Recognizing and addressing resistance is crucial to making progress in coaching. As a coachee, it's important to be self-aware, honest, open-minded, take responsibility, and trust the process. A coach will acknowledge the resistance, reframe it, provide support, and break it down to help the coachee overcome their resistance and achieve their goals.

Take action today and reach out today to book a consultation or ask any questions you may have. Whether you're looking to improve your leadership skills, enhance your team's performance, or achieve your career goals, coaching can be an incredibly valuable resource.