Holding the Focus in Coaching: Be the Compass

Coaching is a steady, unwavering compass that helps the client find their own true north.

“Holding the focus” is one of the most vital and transformative roles a coach plays. It’s the compass we bring to every session—the consistent commitment to our client’s chosen direction, values, and agenda, even when they drift off course.

Clients bring courage, energy, and intention to coaching—but also fear, confusion, and old patterns. They may wander, stall, or spin. When that happens, the coach becomes the compass—gently turning them back toward their own true north.

This isn’t about controlling the conversation or managing time. It’s about honoring what the client said they wanted and helping them live in alignment with it. When done well, it shifts a session from surface chatter to transformational insight.

In Co-Active Coaching, holding the focus means staying loyal to the client’s agenda—even when they forget it. Especially when they forget it.

This requires artistry: presence to track subtle shifts, intuition to know when to redirect, and courage to interrupt when they drift. Our role isn't to steer, but to honor the direction they’ve chosen.

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