What Does a Truly Client-Led Session Looks Like?
Walk alongside your clients instead of driving them forward.
Meet the Practitioners:
Dr. David Drake:
A renowned coach, consultant, and threshold guide, David is also the founder and CEO of The Moment Institute.
Tom Sabido:
A seasoned police officer ready for a career transition. Tom currently finds himself balancing the demands of two drastically different roles: serving in law enforcement and becoming a narrative coach.
Context of the Session:
No goals were set, no agenda scripted, and no predetermined outcomes were pursued.
Tom finds himself at a pivotal life juncture â what we term a "threshold" â as he transitions from law enforcement to his new career as a Narrative Life Coach over the next two years. In this session, Tom explores the intricacies of balancing these disparate roles and wonders how to maintain two contrasting energies for an extended period.
As you watch the video, consider these questions:
- How often does David direct the conversation?
- What is the nature of Davidâs contributions to the dialogue?
- What insights emerge for Tom during this session?
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Reflective Takeaways from the Demo:
How often does David direct the conversation?
David allowed the session to evolve organically, which might seem like a laissez-faire approach at first glance. However, he knew the best place to start was with presence, not an agenda. David focused on creating a safe space, or 'field,' where he and Tom could be fully present. This openness permitted Tomâs reflections to unfold naturally and the session to find its own direction. By doing this, David was actively present as a witness to Tom's narratives as they unfolded.â
What is the nature of Davidâs contributions to the dialogue?
Davidâs verbal contributions are minimal yet impactful. His responses mainly consisted of affirming nods, reflective questions, and mirroring Tom's expressions. David never needed to reach for a âpowerful questionâ or take Tom through someone elseâs prefabricated framework. Instead, he trusted that everything he needed was right in front of him.
David's minimalism wasn't about withholding from Tom; it was about offering Tom the space and guidance to freely explore and articulate his own thoughts and feelings. His approach served as a "loving mirror," reflecting Tom's stories back to him with compassionate candor for a deeper connection to and understanding of himself.
What insights emerge for Tom during this session?
- Gratitude: For his career as a police officer and all that itâs given him.
- Readiness: To let that career go.
- Recognition of his needs: To make this transition, he would need more stillness.
- Clarity: Around how to access the stillness he wants.
ââEnergy and Satisfaction: The Invisible Metrics
It's also worth noting that the coaching style exemplified here tends to leave coaches like David feeling more energized and fulfilled rather than depleted and exhausted at the end of a long coaching day.
What About Client Outcomes?
David and fellow Moment Institute practitioners find that their client outcomes are:
- Achievable â When youâre fully present with your client, you can better notice where they are right now and what they need next in order to grow.
- Meaningful â When you help clients get to the crux of their issues, they can make progress through coaching in ways that matter to them.
- Sustainable â The progress your client makes is more likely to stick because youâve supported their journey, not taken them on yours.
Where could you go with your practice if you could work this way?
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