What skill is the coach aiming to improve when they focus on actively listening to the client without thinking about their next response?

The skill being targeted when a coach actively listens to the client without planning their next response is mindful listening. This practice involves being fully present in the moment and absorbing what the client is expressing, rather than formulating a response prematurely. Mindful listening enhances the coaching relationship by fostering trust and understanding, allowing the client to feel heard and valued. This technique encourages deeper communication and helps the coach grasp the nuances of the client’s thoughts and feelings, ultimately leading to more effective guidance and support.

While sympathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another, it does not specifically encompass the non-reactive quality of mindful listening. Open-ended questions are a tool used to encourage clients to express themselves more fully but do not directly represent the act of listening. Amplified reflections involve mirroring back what the client has said with added emphasis, which is a technique used within the conversation rather than an approach to listening itself. Mindful listening stands out as the best choice because it encapsulates the essence of being present and engaged with the client’s narrative, leading to more meaningful interactions.