The Best Coaching Advice? Shut Up & Listen

In our classroom, a poem by Shel Silverstein hangs on the wall:

"There is a voice inside of you That whispers all day long,‘

“I feel that this is right for me, I know that this is wrong.” No teacher, preacher, parent, friend Or wise man can decide What’s right for you- just listen to The voice that speaks inside."

It’s there for a reason—to remind every coach that no amount of expertise can replace the wisdom within our clients. Our job isn’t to provide answers; it’s to help them trust their own.

The real challenge? Resisting the urge to help. It’s tempting to connect the dots, share insights, or smooth the path to make their struggle easier. But the moment our voice enters the equation, theirs becomes less relevant.

When we truly believe that people are creative, resourceful, and whole, we stop inserting ourselves into their process. Instead, we ask better, bigger, and more meaningful questions—ones that help them hear, trust, and act on the voice that’s been guiding them all along.

So next time you’re tempted to jump in, take a deep breath… and let the silence do its job.