Metaphors matter and, whether intentional or not, they exist in every coaching conversation. The metaphorical images we use have a strong impact on our clients’ brains, and we need to understand the neuroscience behind this power. Today’s guest explains how we work with the client’s own metaphor rather than quietly replacing it with our own, and we explore a simple shift in language that can change how you think about the people you coach.

Lyssa deHart is an author, master coach trainer, YouTube educator, and host of The Coaching Studio Podcast. Her books include StoryJacking: Change Your Inner Dialogue, Transform Your Life, the Reflective Coach, Light Up: The Science of Coaching with Metaphors, and Sticky Outcomes! at the Intersection of Coaching, Neuroscience, & Lasting Impact. Lyssa is a recovering therapist, Confidence Coach, Certified Mentor Coach, Coaching SUPERVision Partner, ICF PCC Assessor, and coaching educator. She guides and empowers professional coaches to enhance their client outcomes through deep listening, client-led approaches, and fostering a partnership that empowers their clients. In all her work, she is committed to improving the coaching community by enhancing the quality and impact of the coach-client relationship.

Show Highlights:

• Using the client’s own metaphors to listen and make them feel heard
• Getting curious with directionality about metaphors in conversation
• Metaphors are idea containers–structures in language to describe an experience. (Metaphors are the language of people!)
• Guard against extraneous cognitive load unnecessarily in client conversations. (Don’t change the client’s language.)
• The neuroscience behind visual language
• Next steps for coaches who want to partner with clients in metaphorical language
• Resisting the urge to bring your own metaphor into the coaching conversation with “the thinker” (your client)
• Replacing “client/coachee” language with “thinker” and understanding the deeper meaning
• Lyssa’s key takeaway: “Start noticing metaphors in every conversation, and be curious about them.”

Resources:

Connect with Lyssa deHart: Website, LinkedIn, Learning Academy, YouTube, The Coaching Studio Podcast, StoryJacking: Change Your Inner Dialogue, Transform Your Life, the Reflective Coach, Light Up: The Science of Coaching with Metaphors, and Sticky Outcomes! at the Intersection of Coaching, Neuroscience, & Lasting Impact.

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