When I first started my leadership coaching career here in Switzerland, I thought that in order to solve problems, I needed to do a deep dive. And get to the root cause with this. I believed that understanding everything about the problem would help me find the best solution. But my experience as a coach has taught me that this is not always true.

In fact, I don’t need to know all the details about a problem to help you find a solution. “The solution doesn’t care about the problem,” as a book I read once said. To find solutions and answers in coaching, we can focus on the that side right away.

The Risk of Dwelling on Problems

It’s important to remember that leadership coaching is not therapy. While we may touch on past events, our focus is on finding practical solutions. Ideally some that can be implemented within a given time frame. If we spend too much time dwelling on the problem, there is a risk of getting stuck in a “problem trance.” This is a state of mind where thoughts revolve solely around the problem. And this makes it difficult to see any potential solutions.

How to Focus on the Good in Coaching

To avoid a “problem trance,” I tend to keep the problem side of things short and sweet. I will ask clients to briefly outline what’s bothering them in just a few sentences or minutes. Then, we move straight to the “what should it be like” part.

This is where we focus on solutions and allow clients to tap into their more creative thinking. By envisioning what they want their desired outcome to be like, clients start to see possibilities and solutions that may not have deemed possible before.

This positive moment is often a turning point for clients, as they realise that there are ways to deal with their problems and achieve their goals within a given time frame. Coaching is about empowering clients to find their own solutions. It is not about getting bogged down in the details of the problem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I have learned that it’s not necessary to deep dive into a problem. Focusing on the solution side of things and envisioning what the desired outcome should be like is the way to go. With this clients can tap into their creativity and find practical solutions that work for them.

Coaching is about empowering clients to take control of their own lives and find their own solutions, rather than dwelling on the problem.

Ready to give it a try? I can’t wait to hear from you. If you live in or around Zurich, I’m also happy to meet over coffee or for a walk to discuss what’s on your mind.

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