Life Coach Listening Skills

It is important to have excellent active listening skills if you are going to be an effective life coach. To be a superior life coach, you must come to understand your client -- truly understand them -- what motivates or drives them, their weaknesses, their strengths, possible problems which they may encounter along their chosen path of growth.

In order to learn what your student is truly all about, you must become an active listener. The first step in the process is to discover where you are now. Give yourself the following test to determine exactly what may be lacking for you:

Measuring Your Listening Skills

Have someone that knows you well use the following questions to evaluate your listening skills. Ask him or her to explain any "No" answers. Do not interrupt, or defend yourself during the process.

1. Do I normally look at the speaker while he or she is speaking?

2. Do I wait for the speaker to finish speaking prior to responding?

3. Do I make understanding my goal?

4. Am I usually sensitive to the speaker's immediate need?

5. Do I make it a practice to check my emotions?

6. Do I regularly suspend my judgement until I get the entire story?

7. Am I in the habit of summing up what the speaker says at major intervals?

8. Do I ask questions for clarity when necessary?

9. Do I communicate to others that listening is a priority?