Zoom coaching and latency

Nowadays, zoom coaching is more of a thing. It's surprising given how things have been the past year and a half. That being said, internet connections become more of an issue. I'm sure many of you have experienced a work meeting where you're struggling to keep an internet connection. It's such a bothersome moment where someone is in the middle of speaking and one of you freezes. They stop talking, and you both have to check in to say, "Alright, it's good now." It feels very much like medieval medicine: the network's humors were slightly off just then but now because it has clean air, more sun, and leeches, it is good, you may restate what you just said.

In terms of coaching (specifically the coach's perspective), what does one do if there is a bit of lag or if the audio cuts out? There are some options. If you ask the client to repeat, that would kinda derail their flow. Instead, you could try asking a question like "Tell me more." or "What else is there?" It feels like you're pulling a fast one on the client but, you're not. It's solid coaching for two main reasons. 

First, the coach is confident in the process and relationship enough to go with the flow. The coach shouldn't feel as though everything has to be perfect to serve the client. Second, you are not disrupting their flow for your own benefit. It's a common idea in coaching is that the coach should be acting in the interests of the client's learning, growth, interest, and goals. Why would the coach interrupt the client and tell them to repeat if not for the interest of the coach? If the coach feels like they have to know everything, then they might just be trying to figure out a solution instead of helping the client do so.

What do you think, reader? Could you see that being a helpful technique or does it feel disingenuous? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!

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