Here’s something I’ve come to understand deeply: rapport isn’t just a nice-to-have in coaching conversations. It’s the foundation that allows you to have the most impactful conversations.
Think of rapport as the currency you earn before you spend. The stronger your connection with someone, the more you can challenge them and invite them to see beyond their current thinking. Without a deep feeling of rapport, even the most brilliant coaching question can fall flat.
So many coaches rush to be helpful. They spot the gap, see what’s possible, and immediately want to point it out. But what I’ve learnt is that people need to feel genuinely seen and heard before they can truly hear you.
This doesn’t mean being soft or tiptoeing around difficult conversations. It means being present. It means slowing down. It means listening so deeply that, when you do speak, your words land because the other person trusts you’re coming from a place of genuine care.
When you take the time to establish real rapport, something shifts. You’re not just delivering feedback or asking insightful questions; you’re creating a space where transformation becomes possible. Your clients feel safe enough to be challenged, vulnerable enough to look at their blind spots, and open enough to change.
The coaches who master this don’t just have clients, they have raving fans who refer others and often renew their agreements without hesitation.
I am adding below a full clip from a live AJC weekend where I go deeper into how rapport creates the conditions for powerful coaching. This is the kind of topic we explore together in the coaching school. Not just theory, but practical skills that transform how you show up with clients and the results you create together.
P.S Even though the doors for AJC 2026 are not open yet, if you are interested in joining, send me an email and we will create a way for you to make that happen
With love and appreciation,
Ankush Jain
Coach and Author of Sweet Sharing – Rediscovering the REAL You