How to Develop Non Verbal Skills as a Professional Coach

Coaching is all about communication. And yes, asking powerful questions and receiving thoughtful answers are a significant portion of the professional coaching conversation.

However, as coaches who adhere to the standards set by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), we understand that non-verbal communication is equally vital in the coaching dynamic between coach and client.

Today, we go beyond the spoken word – into the art of embracing silence and enhancing non-verbal communication skills to create a deeper connection with clients.

Using Silence as a Tool in Conversation

Silence is more than simply not speaking, it's a powerful tool in your coaching toolkit. Combined with the right mix of positive coaching presence and active listening, silence creates a space for client reflection, processing, and building deeper understanding.

As coaches, embracing silence means being comfortable with pauses, not feeling the need to “jump in”, but truly focusing on the client, and giving them the time they need to articulate their innermost thoughts.

Many clients may be unused to the experience of being deeply listened to, and silence allows clients to explore their thoughts and feelings in their own time, building self-awareness and making space for insights to appear.

More Resources:
The Top 15 Life Coaching Tools, Exercises and Assessments
Build Self-Awareness: Ten Self-Reflection Exercises and Self-Assessment Tools

Strategies for Getting Comfortable with Silence

Many of us may not be used to silence, and will need to employ strategies to get comfortable with this new coaching skill!

Create Mindful Awareness: Ground yourself in the present moment through the senses – the ground holding you up, the feeling of the chair you’re sitting in, and other sensory experiences. Focus on your client, not just their words but notice their body language, facial expressions, and the energy in the room.

Build Your Patience: Resist the urge to fill every pause with more words or questions. This may be the only time in your client’s week where they are given time to consider their own life or marshall their own thoughts. Give them the time they need to gather their thoughts and express themselves in the co-creative space of the coaching session.‍

Encourage Reflection: Use silence as a prompt for deeper reflection. A thoughtful pause can encourage clients to delve deeper into their experiences, and when they break the silence, they may bring some insights to the session that could not have emerged otherwise.

Enhancing Your Non-Verbal Communication Skills

There’s more to being present during silence than you might think! Non-verbal communication involves more than just reading body language, it's about creating an environment of understanding and empathy without relying solely on words.

Key Non-Verbal Skills for Coaches:

Active Listening: A core coaching skill for all coaches! This involves not just hearing words but also observing non-verbal cues like tone, pace, and inflection. It’s about understanding the emotion and intention behind the words.

Eye Contact: Maintaining appropriate eye contact shows that you are engaged and interested. It’s a non-verbal way of saying, “I hear you, and I am with you on this journey.”

Body Language: Crossing your arms and legs and turning away from your client may communicate disinterest, fretfulness or boredom. If you’re not sure what your body language is saying, consider filming yourself in a practice session (with another coach, and with everyone’s consent!) to see how your unconscious movements may communicate more than you intended.

Facial Expressions: A gentle smile, a nod, or a look of concern can convey empathy and understanding. Be aware of your expressions and ensure they are congruent with the client's emotions and your responses.

Physical Environment: Take a look around the space in which you hold your sessions – the coaching space itself sends non-verbal messages. A comfortable and inviting environment can make clients feel safe and open to sharing.

Putting Non-Verbal Techniques to Work in Your Coaching Sessions

It will take time for these skills to become second nature, which is why they require practice – like many other coaching skills!

Reflect on your own non-verbal communication style. How do you sit, react, and actively listen? Being aware of your tendencies allows you to use them more effectively.

Make the space of the coaching session safe and free from distractions. Practice staying in the moment and building your awareness in this area. This helps you pick up on subtle non-verbal cues that you might miss if your mind is elsewhere, or you find yourself distracted.

Research this topic for other best practices to incorporate. Attend workshops and training sessions focused on non-verbal communication and active listening. This is a skill that can always be refined. Ask for feedback from your clients or a mentor about your non-verbal communication. Be open to adapting and improving.

Incorporating silence and non-verbal communication skills into your coaching practice is about creating a more profound, empathetic, and effective coaching relationship. By embracing these aspects, we can facilitate an authentic space where clients feel truly heard and understood, paving the way for transformative change and development.

Remember, the work that goes on in the mind as a result of a coaching space to dream and create can be just as powerful as what is said out loud.

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