Listening SkillsIn life coaching, one of the most important skills a coach can possess is the ability to listen. Often it is easy to “hear” and forget to “listen.” In order to conduct a good coaching session, the coach must be familiar with listening techniques, skills and obstacles. Listening is not only important for the coach, but also for the client. Both parties should have mutual understanding and comfortable communication. By gaining a more complete understanding of listening skills, the coach can listen and guide the client toward their goal. The success of the client-coach relationship depends on the coach's ability to put aside personal thoughts and fully engage in effective listening to the client. Professional Listening Listening versus Hearing Listening is not only a skill for a life coach, counselor, teacher, or friend, but it is also important for children engaging in education. For life coaches and counselors involved in training these children, there are techniques to optimize the effectiveness of listening. One of these skills is the careful presentation of audible stimuli by the client (Estes, 2010). By providing stimuli emphasizing the client's listening skills, asking appropriate questions, and helping the client learn to be an effective listener, the coach improves the client's academic abilities and future communications. Furthermore, in a coaching context, it is important that the life coach uses skills that optimize the effectiveness of their listening. By understanding emotional, physical, and verbal cues, the life coach is better equipped to listen to what the client is saying, instead of just hearing it (Estes, 2010). Bodies...... middle of paper ..... .s and spouses! (2005). Legal Information Management 5(1), 27-30.Collins, GR (2009). Christian Coaching (2nd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress. Dunbar, A. (2010). Essential life coaching skills. New York, NY: Routledge. Estes, E. L. (2010). Listening, language and learning: skills of highly qualified specialists in listening and spoken language in educational settings. The Volta Review110(2), 169-178. Hyson, P. (2013). Essential coaching skills and knowledge: Coaching of meaning and spirituality. Florence, KY: Routledge. Neenan, M. and Dryden, W. (2013). Life coaching: a cognitive-behavioral approach (2nd ed.). Florence, KY: Routledge. Nelson-Jones, R. (2006). Life Coaching Skills: How to Develop Competent Clients. London, GBR: SAGE Publications Inc. (USA). Parrott, L. and Parrott, L. (2005). The Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoring. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.