Acknowledge the client's feelings without trying to fix or dismiss them. Reflect back what you’re hearing to show empathy, for instance, “It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated by this situation.” This helps the client feel understood and can de-escalate tension. Next, create space for them to express themselves fully. Let them speak without interruption, and encourage a pause if needed. This can help diffuse the emotional intensity. Once the emotional wave has subsided, shift the dialogue towards problem-solving. By staying grounded, empathetic, and focused, you can help your client navigate through emotional moments without escalating the dialogue further.

When emotions are running high during a coaching conversations, it is important to give the person the safe place to feel their emotions. Maybe you just delivered tough feedback. Ensure the person that this is a safe place, with no judgement. Show empathy and seek to understand why they are getting emotional. From there, take steps to help them regain confidence and move forward.

Emotions provide vital information and they surface when we go deeper into topics that mean something to us and that we care about. 1. First and foremost, I would empathise and acknowledge the client's emotions in being real and valid. Give them space to process and express as they feel comfortable to. 2. Then guide the client through a labelling exercise to call out the associated feelings which can help with perspective and emotion regulation. 3. When it's time, I'll then check with the client on what they learnt from their emotions and the relevance/importance against their desired outcomes from coaching. This would help us align on the way forward to best support the client's goals.

When emotions run high, I use the acronym CALM to navigate through the escalating dialogue: C – Create Space: Pause and give them room to express their emotions fully. A – Acknowledge: Validate their feelings by acknowledging their emotional state with empathy. L – Listen: Actively listen without interrupting, ensuring they feel heard and understood. M – Move Forward: Gently guide the conversation toward solutions or insights once the emotions have been acknowledged and settled. Typically, this approach ensures that emotional intensity is handled with care while progress is maintained.

Being a good navigator in coaching sessions starts already in my own preparation upfront. I try to always have 10% emotional capacity and energy left for critical situations. That means that I need to be resilient and emotionally stable myself and have a balanced life that supports me in my emotional stability. Sport, nutrition, sleep, good relationships help...

When emotions run high in a session, I create space for my clients to let their feelings flow, even if it means sitting in silence. I may acknowledge the emotion and invite the clients to choose the next steps, saying, “I see tears in your eyes. I know this is important to you. How can we continue in a way that honors this feeling?” I may also invite clients to reconnect with their body by taking a deep breath and feeling their feet on the ground. Exploring the body’s role in emotions, I might ask, “Where do you feel this emotion?” or “What message is it giving you?” This approach helps clients gain clarity by grounding their emotional experience.

When emotions run high, remain calm and grounded. Acknowledge their feelings without judgment, offering empathy and validation. Encourage pauses in the conversation to reflect, and gently guide them back to constructive dialogue, focusing on solutions over reactions.

When a coaching client’s emotions are running high, it’s crucial to remain calm and empathetic. Start by acknowledging their emotions, using statements like, “I can see that this is really important to you.” This shows understanding and validates their feelings. Maintain a non-judgmental and open body language, signaling that you’re there to support, not to judge. Give them space to express themselves fully before responding, avoiding interrupting. Once they’ve shared, gently refocus the conversation on solutions by asking open-ended questions that guide them toward clarity and action. If needed, suggest taking a brief pause to allow both parties to reset before continuing.

The best message I have heard for feedback on this to a client "I hear your message. What would you like me to do with the energy?"

"Calm the Storm, Find the Clarity!" When your coaching client’s emotions are running high, it’s crucial to create a safe space for them to express themselves. Start by actively listening and acknowledging their feelings without judgment—this builds trust. Use grounding techniques, such as deep breathing or a moment of silence, to help them regain composure. Encourage them to articulate what’s driving their emotions and guide the conversation toward constructive insights. By staying calm and empathetic, you help them channel their feelings into clarity, allowing for meaningful dialogue and transformative breakthroughs in the coaching process.