Clarifying and reflecting in coaching - Understanding is a true representation of what was meant to be said

However good you think your listening skills are, the only person who can tell you if you have understood correctly or not is the speaker. Clarifying is about ensuring you have a clear understanding of what your coachee is saying and thinking and in doing so you are also ensuring that they too have a clear understanding of their own situation. Reflecting is about reflecting back the words, thoughts and feelings that you have picked up from your coachee and serves both the purpose of showing that you are listening which in turn helps build rapport with your coachee and also helps the client to hear what they have just said and prompt further exploration.