Coaching Cases | Lacking Self-Confidence

Common Symptoms

Low trust in his/her own abilities
Sensitivity to criticism
Hostility
Excessive preoccupation with personal problems
Physical symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia and headaches
Can stop trying or feel defeated: academically, professionally or personally

Ways to Work with
‍The Case

The 360

The 360 can help bridge the gap between the perception of self and how others see the person.

Think of 5 people whose opinion your Coachee respects and trusts. Ask them for a 360 feedback. For example: what are the coachee's key strengths, achievements, what they value the most about your coachee and one area of improvement.

The Life Map

The Life Map is an introspective tool that enables your Coachee to look back at your past stories professional experiences and key life milestones, highlighting the benefits from each of your experiences and identify any trends in your life.

Ask your Coachee to draw a visual timeline ranking the happiness level for each milestone. Analyse the sources of successes (reframing if need be, for example, when your coachee mentions luck). Analyse also how he/she managed to bounce back from lows.

3 Key Strengths

People who use their strengths every day are:

3 times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life,
6 times more likely to be engaged at work,
8% more productive,
15% less likely to quit their jobs.

Ask your Coachee to identify his/her key strengths:

What does your Coachee gets complimented on? What do his/her friends value? What do colleagues or boss value? What does your Coachee like about himself/herself? When does he/she feel in the flow?

The Power Pose

Adopting the body posture of someone who is confident and powerful can generate feelings of confidence and power.

View Sources

The Impostor Syndrome: Becoming an Authentic Leader, by Harold Hillman, Chris Abernathy, et al

The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction: A Guide to Coping with the Grief, Stress and Anger that Trigger Addictive Behaviors (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook), by Rebecca E. Williams PhD and Julie S. Kraft MA