What Does it Mean to Work in the Here and Now?

As coaches, we aim to be fully present with our clients, but what does this really entail? Working in the Here and Now goes beyond active listening or surface-level awareness; it’s about deeply engaging with what is happening between you and your client at this exact moment. It requires a certain level of responsiveness and attunement that invites clients to explore the underlying beliefs, emotions, and reactions that shape their interactions.

When we work in the Here and Now, we’re tapping into a layer of insight that can have a transformative impact. This approach allows us to not only see what our clients are saying but also to pick up on unspoken dynamics, revealing new pathways for growth that may otherwise go unnoticed.

  1. Understanding What “Working in the Here and Now” Means

“Here and Now” presence is about responding to what’s happening in the present moment, for your client, in yourself and between you. Often, this real-time responsiveness brings insights that wouldn’t emerge through a typical coaching agenda. Imagine a client expressing frustration with a challenging team member. Instead of focusing solely on the narrative, what if you were to notice and explore the way they express that frustration with you, right here in the session? Their tone, body language, and emotional intensity might reveal patterns in how they communicate under stress, providing rich material for exploration.

This approach can transform a seemingly routine session into one that uncovers deeper emotional truths and behaviour patterns. By training ourselves to engage with clients in this way, we become attuned to subtle shifts, bringing clarity to unexamined beliefs and actions. It enables us to coach the person, not just the issue they bring.

  1. Benefits of Using the Here and Now

One of the greatest advantages of this approach is its capacity to bring immediate observation, feedback, clarity and perspective. Clients often come to sessions with a complex mix of thoughts and feelings, and focusing on the present moment helps them cut through that mental clutter.

Some key benefits include:

  • Enhanced Awareness: Working in the present encourages clients to notice and articulate emotions or thoughts they might otherwise ignore.
  • Real-Time Learning: Rather than discussing hypothetical scenarios, clients gain direct experience with their patterns and how they affect their interactions, together with the coach’s feedback.
  • Immediate Application: By practicing awareness in the session, clients begin to understand how they can apply these skills in their own lives, leading to more confidence and effectiveness.

In other words, this approach allows clients to address issues as they arise rather than dwelling on past situations or projecting future outcomes. This can be especially helpful when working with clients who struggle with procrastination or fear-based thinking, as it brings a grounded focus to their current challenges.

  1. Practical Tips, Techniques, and Watchouts

Working in the Here and Now requires a unique skill set that goes beyond traditional coaching methods. Here are some examples of the techniques for staying grounded and attuned so you can use your presence effectively in real time:

  • Mindful Observation
  • Holding Silence
  • Reflective Inquiry

Working in the Here and Now demands a level of self-awareness that allows you to discern between your own emotions and the client’s. In this way, you ensure that the session remains client-centered, with your presence serving as a supportive tool rather than a distraction.

  1. Working with Strong Emotions in Real Time

When a client experiences strong emotions, such as frustration, sadness, or even resistance, it can be tempting to steer the conversation toward something lighter. But heightened emotions are often where the deepest insights lie. You can use techniques such as mirroring and gentle inquiry when working with intense emotions while keeping the session grounded. By developing your ability to hold space for strong emotions, you help clients build their resilience and emotional intelligence, enabling them to face challenges with greater confidence.

  1. Linking Presence to Core Coaching Competencies

Presence in the Here and Now isn’t just a tool; it’s a foundational element that enhances our core coaching competencies. From building trust and listening actively to fostering client awareness, staying fully present enriches each aspect of the coaching relationship. This alignment with core competencies makes working in the Here and Now an invaluable skill for ethical, powerful coaching.

  • Trust and Safety: Clients feel seen and valued when you’re fully present, fostering trust and encouraging openness.
  • Active Listening: Presence enhances your listening skills, allowing you to notice subtleties that add depth to the conversation.
  • Fostering Client Awareness: Working in the moment helps clients see their thoughts, feelings, and reactions more clearly, making it easier to recognise patterns and make meaningful changes.

Taking the Next Steps: Integrating Here and Now Presence into Your Practice

To make this approach a natural part of your coaching, it’s essential to practice integrating it into your sessions.

Discover how working in the Here and Now can unlock new levels of insight and transformation for your clients—and for you as a coach. Join Kate’s Working with the Here and Now programme on Thursday, May 22, 2025, 6 – 7.30 pm  (London time). Register now!

Kate Jennings, PCC, Coach Advancement CoachKate Jennings, PCC is a coach with Coach Advancement and a leadership coach for Kate Jennings Coaching.

Kate is a skilful and experienced coach with more than 15 years of one-on-one executive and leadership coaching. She has worked with more than 20 clients globally (UK, Europe, N. America, and China) and across more than 50 companies including NHS, AstraZeneca, Cambridge University and Balfour Beatty.

Before becoming a coach, Kate spent many years in operations and business and product development working with major retailers (M&S, Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s), leading teams across the UK and setting up new sites and factories.

Kate’s coaching style is described as collaborative, flexible, insightful, warm, and attentive. She adapts her style to meet your unique needs. By balancing support and challenge, Kate creates a space where you are encouraged to push the boundaries of your thinking and actions. This results in heightened awareness, deeper insight and meaningful progress toward your goals.

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