“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” (Rudyard Kipling)

If you have been following this blog on twitter you will have noticed a variety of quotes being posted throughout each day. It’s something that I’ve had numerous comments about.

Quotes are yet another thing that can be at the coaches disposal to use during a coaching session. As with all methods that are at our disposal as coaches when and if you decide to use a quote will vary on individual circumstance. But why would you want to use quotes?

If you have used quotes through education you have probably been taught that you use quotes to credit the source of a piece of information or opinion. That may be something that appeals to some of your clients so it is possible that from time to time it is still one of the reasons you want to use a quote.

It is not the only reason you may use quotes as a coach. You may want to use a quote to provoke and not take personal responsibility for that message – perhaps you are afraid it would get in the way of the rest of your coaching relationship. As you are apparently talking about something somebody else said at a different time and place your client will often respond.

For example, coaching a customer-facing employee in a business you may quote a specific customer. It’s entirely possible that your client will be far more open to a conversation around this than if you voiced the same opinion as a bystander.

You can also use quotes to “borrow authority” to focus your clients attention or increase their willingness to answer a question or do an exercise. It can be used as a convincer to add extra-perceived credibility. For example, I’ve seen individuals willingly start an exercise after being told that it was something used by someone they admired, where they had previously been reluctant.

You may also use quotes that can inspire and motivate, grab attention or trigger new thoughts.

Starting in the New Year, in addition to the regular posting of quotes daily on twitter, there will also be a quote of the day appearing here on the Coaching Confidence blog. If you have a particular quote you like and/or find really helpful personally or with a client then feel free to share so I can include it on a future date.