Communication & Active Listening Flashcards
7 cards from real MCC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communication & Active Listening flashcards as text
The ICF distinguishes 'acknowledging' from 'praising' in coaching because:
Answer: Acknowledgment recognizes who the client is being, while praise evaluates their performance
Acknowledgment in coaching recognizes the client's character, courage, or growth (being), while praise is evaluative and performance-based.
A coach notices the client's tone is flat and disconnected while discussing a goal they claimed was important. The most appropriate response is:
Answer: Reflect the observation and invite the client to explore it
Naming the incongruence and inviting exploration honors what may be present beneath the surface, a hallmark of deep active listening.
According to ICF standards, the coach should primarily use language that:
Answer: Is curious, open-ended, and non-assumptive
ICF guidelines emphasize that coaches use curious, open-ended language that explores rather than directs, keeping the client as the expert.
Which response best demonstrates 'reflecting feelings' in active listening?
Answer: It sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed and a bit hopeless about this.
Reflecting feelings names the emotional content the client has conveyed, deepening the client's self-awareness and sense of being heard.
In coaching communication, 'bottom-lining' refers to:
Answer: Asking the client to state the core issue or key insight in one sentence
Bottom-lining is a technique where the coach invites the client to distill their message to its essence, cutting through rambling to reach clarity.
A client repeatedly uses the metaphor of 'climbing a mountain' when describing their career journey. An MCC-level coach would most likely:
Answer: Adopt and explore the metaphor to deepen the client's understanding
MCC coaches work within the client's own metaphors and language, using them as a bridge to deeper exploration and insight.
When a coach says 'I notice you said I should do this rather than I want to do this—what's the difference for you?' this demonstrates:
Answer: Listening for subtle word choices that may reveal deeper meaning
Attending to subtle word choices like 'should' vs. 'want' reflects MCC-level listening that hears beneath the surface for values and motivation.