At its most fundamental level, coaching represents a simple process of asking questions and listening carefully to the responses, providing time and space to enable people to slow down, reflect and find their own answers.

When we are coaching, we often find that, deep down, our coachees already know the solutions to the dilemmas they face; at some level, they know what they need to do, but they may not realise this until they are guided to examine their current situation, explore their aspirations, articulate their goals and clarify their thoughts. I know I have asked the right question when my coachee pauses and says nothing. When the room falls silent, when they look to the ceiling and they take a breath, then I stop and I wait. I wait because I know what is at play: the magic is happening in the silence.