AC101 Acknowledgement

What do you think are the benefits in acknowledging clients as part of the coaching relationship?

Acknowledgment comes after the client has taken action. However acknowledgment is not just about the action, it is about who the client is being while they are taking action. We acknowledge our clients for their values and their purpose and not just their activity. We cheer them on, support them to take the next step with courage, and help them to see what they did to get those results. The language we use for acknowledging someone is: “I want to acknowledge you for….”

We do not always have to acknowledge only what was successful. Many times some of the best lessons come from what did not work out well, when it did not turn out to be exactly the way we wanted it to be. As coaches, we acknowledge what it took to take action, what lessons were learned and how it will now support the client to grow and develop even further. That means we acknowledge all the steps the client is taking from beginning to end.

We can actually coach effectively by just using acknowledgement, encouragement, validation and celebration. This is a very strong statement, but it's true. If we simply help your client see and appreciate their strengths we will empower them to do better. If we acknowledge them when they are operating at their best, then we allow their “best self” to grow. When we validate them at moments of self-doubt we will drive this doubt away. To focus on what is good in their life right now and what they are doing right will often produce significant results irrespective of other techniques.

(extracted from ICA reading)