Your client appears disengaged in coaching sessions. How will you re-engage them effectively?

To re-engage a disengaged client in career counseling, start by asking open-ended questions to understand their concerns. For example, if a client seemed uninterested, I once asked, "What’s the biggest challenge you're facing right now?" This helped me learn they were overwhelmed with job applications. I then adjusted our sessions to focus on practical steps, like improving their resume and practicing interviews. By addressing their immediate needs and showing empathy, they became more engaged. Listening carefully and being flexible in your approach can help re-engage clients and make the sessions more productive.

A career conversation is not: "Here is an organisational chart....tell us where you want to go!" This has the ability to cause disengagement, confusion, unbelonging and does not provide clarity. Let me tell you why: 1. Structures are outdated. 2. They are constantly changing. 3. What if you do not fit the structure? 4. How are you being a future ready organisation if you are placing future talents in roles of the past? But I have seen that people lack the ability to practice career reflection. A useful tool is John's model of reflection. This will allow you to discover areas for professional and personal growth. Finding where you "fit" within the organisation is up to talent management and a ripple effect of this process.

Establish a judgment-free environment where clients feel comfortable expressing their true thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, disengagement stems from fear of vulnerability or criticism. Foster trust by actively listening, showing empathy, and maintaining confidentiality. Encourage open dialogue about any reservations or doubts about the coaching process. By creating a safe space, clients are more likely to open up, share their genuine concerns, and fully engage in the coaching journey. This emotional safety can lead to deeper insights, more meaningful conversations, and a stronger coach-client relationship, ultimately resulting in more effective and engaging coaching sessions.

A career coach re-engages a client by: 1. Identifying disengagement signs (Ex. Missing sessions) 2. Asking open-ended questions to understand their concerns (Ex. Hey, I'm concerned about you missing sessions. What can be done about it?). 3. Revisiting and clarifying their goals. (Ex. We started our sessions strong; however, your energy seems lower now. How do you feel about your current goals and attaining them?) 4. Adjusting the action plan to align with their interests. (Ex. Please share how shifting priorities re-energizes you.) 5. Encouraging and celebrating small wins to boost motivation. (Ex. It's been a month - missed sessions. Great job!) DM me "Escape" if you're sick of being trapped in your career or leadership nightmare.