Truth Telling #1

The first class for this course was held on Thursday, August 30, 2007. I knew before this class even began that the concept of ‘absolute truth’ would come up. The concept that everyone’s ‘truth’ is different depending on their experiences. I feel this is more perception rather than truth – I do believe that there are things that are absolute, and that truth is based in fact.

The question was posed by the facilitator of what the difference is between truth and opinion. I think that what people sometimes view as their own ‘truth’ is actually their opinion.

Truth telling in coaching is about stating what is fact, “You did not do x when you said that you would.” When we as coaches use honesty rather than truth is may be a little more about how we feel about the situation. I don’t think that a coach should be too opinionated in the coaching session. Sometimes the client wants to know what you think and sometimes it can give a different perspective that the client may not have thought about. I try to be careful not to abuse the honor of sharing my opinion but use leading questions that can draw out another point of view.

Opinions can turn to judgments if we start to put our own thoughts or ideas on the client. When we try to get them to agree or we tell them what they ‘should’ do about it it becomes judgment.

I think it is important to let the client know that they can expect the truth from us and that we would like them to reciprocate by telling us the truth as well. We can convey this trough our websites, brochures and verbally during the trial session. We can convey it by doing it in the sessions and building a trust and rapport with them of being truthful.