Day 14 – When Coaching Gets Hard: Tips to Push Through

Have You Ever Hit a Wall While Coaching Your Team?

You’re trying to coach—asking questions, listening, empowering—but your team’s not biting. One person rolls their eyes, another shuts down, and the rest just nod without engaging. It’s frustrating, and you’re tempted to ditch coaching and go back to barking orders. If you’re a first-line or mid-level leader, you’ve been there: coaching isn’t always smooth sailing. Resistance happens, but it doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human.

Why Resistance Isn’t the End of Coaching

Welcome to Day 14 of Coaching Corner Daily! Today, we’re getting real about the tough side of coaching: what to do when it gets hard. Resistance doesn’t mean coaching doesn’t work—it means you’re pushing your team to grow, and growth can be uncomfortable. Whether you’re leading a tech crew or a retail team, these three strategies will help you push through the rough patches and keep coaching effective, no matter the pushback.

Three Strategies to Push Through Resistance

1. Name the Resistance Without Judgment

When you sense pushback, don’t ignore it—call it out gently. Try: “I’m noticing some hesitation—what’s going on?” This isn’t confrontational; it’s curious. Imagine a sales team brushing off your coaching questions about their strategy. You say, “I can tell this isn’t landing—what’s making this tough?” They might admit they’re overwhelmed by quotas. Now you’re addressing the root, not the symptom. A 2022 Harvard Business Review study found that acknowledging resistance reduces tension by 35%. It’s not about forcing—it’s about understanding.

2. Meet Them Where They Are

Not everyone’s ready to be coached at the same pace. If they’re resisting, scale back and meet them at their level. Ask simpler questions: “What’s one small thing we can try?” or “What’s working for you right now?” Picture a manufacturing team skeptical of a new process you’re coaching them through. They’re digging in their heels, so you ask, “What’s one part of this you’re okay with?” They pick a small piece—like a safety check—and start there. That baby step builds trust, and trust opens the door to more coaching. It’s progress, not perfection.

3. Stay Consistent, Even When It’s Messy

Resistance can make you doubt yourself, but don’t bail. Keep showing up with the same coaching approach—questions, listening, empowerment. Consistency proves you’re in it for the long haul. Say a healthcare team keeps dodging your attempts to coach them on patient feedback. They grumble, but you keep asking, “What’s one way we can improve here?” Over time, they see you’re not giving up, and one day, they suggest a new follow-up system. Consistency pays off—Gallup found that persistent coaching can increase buy-in by 20%. Stick with it.

Your 5-Minute Resistance Challenge

Take five minutes today to reflect on a recent moment of resistance. Write down what you noticed—eye rolls, silence, pushback—and one nonjudgmental question you could ask next time, like “What’s making this hard?” Keep it handy for your next coaching moment. It’s a quick way to prep for pushback.

Tomorrow, Day 15: “Spark Creativity: Coaching Your Team to Innovate.” Because once you push through resistance, you’re ready to unlock your team’s creative edge. See you then!

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Much appreciated!

Dr. Kartik Bhavsar, “Coach KB”