Cathy Liska Motivation is the level of interest, desire, and willingness to do something. Motivation is internal. Often the level of motivation shows up in the way people say something: “I need to” lacks motivation. “I choose to” demonstrates motivation. 
How does a coach support their client’s motivation? During coaching certification, participants learn multiple ways to support client motivation including:
- Positive, proactive coaching language:
- What do you want?
- What will you do?
- How will you make it work?
- Empowering an internal confidence:
- What are you proud of achieving?
- What have you done well?
- How do you want to build on your successes?
- Great coaching questions:
- What motivates you?
- What is behind your choices?
- What is the outcome you want?
Similarly, when a client comes up with and commits to an action plan or action steps, ask great coaching questions.
- How do you prefer to manage your accountability?
- How do you want me to be your accountability partner?
- Who in your network will support you?
Being active with accolades in a way that builds their confidence internally is empowering and motivating for clients. Examples from coach training include:
- What you achieved is excellent! How do you feel about it?
- Congratulations! How are you acknowledging yourself?
- Great work! What do you want to say to yourself for achieving that?
- Way to go! How are you celebrating your progress?
During coach training, participants learn positive, proactive language. Noticing the words clients use helps identify their attitude and motivation. Be present and support the client to design their own goals, actions, and accountability plan. When the goals, actions, and accountability are truly theirs, motivation follows naturally.
To solidify client motivation, ask questions about what they are learning so the client remembers what works and continues the forward momentum.
