Who (or what) is your coaching nemesis?

This week I discovered my coaching nemesis. An evil genius <client> who will be referred to only as The Dark Aphantasia. (Sounds spooky - right?)

As a particularly creative and visual person who loves to use imagery and metaphor in my coaching practice, I found my energy being sapped, and weakness overcoming me. My Kryptonite was a client who cannot form mental pictures.

Aphantasia is a neurological condition that affects less than 4% of humans, causing them to be image blind, unable to visualise.

A coaches superpower is to help other people become unstuck, however, facing this villain <new dilemma> had me feeling temporarily powerless. Frozen. Stuck. But, the experience planted the idea of something useful to play with.

In the Creative Playground for Coaches we explored this, and uncovered some other coaches nemesis' such as Verbal Diarrhoea and Emotional Incontinence (definitely seems to be a theme there!).

Some coaches found it hard to navigate the question of "Who, or what, is your coaching nemesis?" and weren't able to put their finger on something as they've yet to encounter their arch enemy. But, in case you come face to face with your Kryptonite in a coaching session then tapping into the ICF Core Competencies can help.

Embodying a coaching mindset: (Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client-centered)

As coaches we much eat our own dog food, and engage in continuous learning and growth, so actually finding yourself in this situation is a rare gift.

Maintaining presence: (Is fully conscious and present with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible, grounded and confident)

As easy as it can be to get stuck inside our own heads, and worry about what may come next, this would clearly not serve our clients. We need to build our self awareness and quickly notice when this happens so we can offer something different.

Evoking awareness: (Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor or analogy)

Clearly 'Metaphor' is not the right option here! But, be curious, open your toolbox, and work with the client to find a different way to create insights.

How about you? Who, or what, is your coaching nemesis? And, what superpowers do you employ to crush them into submission <overcome them>?