Once again, we face another stormy election cycle. Tensions are high and people are running hot. It’s challenging to keep cool under the heat of a hot client rant. Here are four strategies to stay cool when clients blast their views.
4 Steps to Stay Cool in a Hot Rant
Step 1: Guard Your Boundaries
It’s easy to let your guard slip. Clients reveal their most intimate life details, and there can be strong mutual bonds. It’s easy to slip and respond personally. Keep guard over your boundaries.
Step 2: Just Ask Questions
Being a curious observer is a powerful coaching skill. Rather than responding to challenge, pivot to ask questions. Very likely, the client won’t notice you’re not endorsing their views. They’ll just feel good someone is listening. If they keep repeating, that’s a clue they want something more from you. Shift to acknowledging their viewpoint. You can 100% acknowledge without agreeing. This will help move things along.
Step 3: Evaluate Later
Sometimes strong political views shift financial interests. If their politics have altered their approach to money, address those concerns after they’ve calmed down. Challenging rarely works when clients are hot. For more on how to deal with anxious clients, check out these 4 Steps for Guiding Anxious Clients Productively
Step 4: Beware Emotional Contagion
Our brains are hard-wired to respond emotionally before reason kicks in. Even tiny expressions betray your emotions, which may escalate the client. The best way to avoid triggering a client, is to stay genuinely calm yourself.
And….Build your Zen
The American Psychological Association conducts a Stress in America survey annually. The 2023 findings reveal stress continues to escalate. Now 66% of Americans have stress-related chronic illness.
Since 2020, I’ve completed three additional neuropsychological certifications on stress and resilience. The neuroscience and practical techniques are advancing rapidly. There are excellent practical tools to radically relieve daily stress. Don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more. Really!
