The Coaching Hub Podcast

The Art of Active Listening in Coaching

Written by Ruth Kudzi, MCC | Jun 19, 2025 8:00:00 AM

Have you ever found yourself wondering what it really means to listen as a coach not just to words, but to emotions, body language, and even what’s left unsaid? For me, active listening is at the core of every transformative coaching relationship, creating the foundation for trust, clarity, and true understanding.

In this sixth episode of our mini series on The Coaching Hub Podcast, we’re diving deep into the ICF core competency of "listens actively." I’ll be exploring why being fully present is so much more than just hearing your client. It’s about tuning into the nuances, noticing subtle shifts, and engaging with empathy and curiosity. 

Together, we’ll look at how you can harness all your senses and intuition to support your clients, help them get clarity, and foster a space where their authentic selves can truly emerge.

Are you ready to hone your listening skills and unlock the real magic of coaching conversations? Let’s dive in.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Introduction

04:54 Active listening and reflecting help challenge biases and enhance understanding for both coaches and clients

10:31 Coaches act as detectives, identifying behavior and emotion patterns over time 

11.15 Be fully present with your client and listen without an agenda

 

About Ruth Kudzi:

Ruth is the founder of Optimus Coaching Academy and a well respected and successful coach, speaker and author who has worked across sectors including leadership, career and more recently business and mindset. She has over 10,000 coaching hours and has completed hundreds of hours of training and coaching supervision. Ruth is a MCC level coach with the ICF and is our course director and CEO. Prior to becoming a coach Ruth was a senior leader in education.

Find out more here: https://ruthkudzi.com/

Connect with Ruth:

Website :   https://www.ruthkudzi.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ruthkudzi2/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthkudzi/?hl=en

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ruthkudzicoach

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthkudzi/

 

About Optimus Coach Academy:

Optimus offers best in class coaching training for individuals and corporates.

If you want to know more about what we offer: https://optimuscoachacademy.com/coach-training 

We also offer business support as standard at Optimus, find out more here: https://www.optimuscoachacademy.com/

To follow Optimus Coach Academy on Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/optimuscoachacademy

https://www.instagram.com/optimuscoachacademy

https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimuscoachacademy

 

If you want to know more about what we offer: https://optimuscoachacademy.com/coach-training