Exactly What To Say When Someone Shares Their Problems With You

What do you typically do when a friend, family member, or co-worker shares their problems with you?  Have you ever found yourself searching for the ideal response?  Perhaps you’ve tried to solve their problem for them or said something that you thought would be helpful but it didn’t have a positive effect.  Michael Bungay Stanier author of “The Coaching Habit” recommends that after someone shares his/her issues with you, simply ask “So how can I help?”   You’ll take the guessing out of the equation while at the same time helping to make the person feel cared for.  Try it out the next time someone shares their issues with you.