Question 1

Does resistance in coaching usually mean the client is simply being stubborn?

Accepted Answer

Rarely, resistance usually signals something specific, an unaddressed fear, genuine disagreement, or a mismatch between approach and need.

Question 2

Why might pushing harder against resistance make things worse?

Accepted Answer

Because it treats resistance as an obstacle rather than information, missing what it is actually communicating and often increasing the resistance itself.

Question 3

What does resistance in a coaching relationship usually point to?

Accepted Answer

An unaddressed fear, a genuine disagreement worth exploring, or a mismatch between the current coaching approach and what the client actually needs.

Question 4

How should resistance be addressed when it arises?

Accepted Answer

By pausing to explore what it actually signals, rather than pushing through it with more persistence or a firmer approach.

Coaching Resistance: What Pushback Usually Signals