# Transcript

NARRATOR
In this example about summarising, you'll hear the coach referring to their own agenda and experience, offering advice, and offering interpretation of what the client says.
CLIENT
So as we previously discussed, I'm at a crossroads now in my career. And I can go in one of two directions. I could stick to what I'm doing now-- the project management. Or I could do something different, which is to start managing people more and perhaps get to the point where I have my own team, which, I think, sounds like something I might be interested in actually.
COACH
It's tough, though, isn't it, being at a crossroads. I mean, I remember myself when I was at a career crossroads. This is probably 20 years ago now. But it really took me ages to work out what I was going to do.
And I thought about things like, am I going to go down the people management route, or just the project management route? And in the end, I made a really clear decision, actually, that I was going to go down the project management route.
CLIENT
Right. Did you?
COACH
I did, yeah. Yeah.
CLIENT
Oh, OK. Yeah, it is a bit confusing, thinking-- because I know what I'm doing now, and I'm familiar with it and I'm good at that. Is it worth running the risk of taking on something really challenging, which, in the long run, could end up being good.
COACH
So it sounds to me as if you're a little bit lost and confused here. That's what I'm getting from you.
CLIENT
Right. Really?
COACH
Or is this something which is a pattern in your life?
CLIENT
I hadn't thought of that before.
COACH
Well, I'm definitely getting a sensation of you being a bit blocked here and a bit lost. That's how it's coming across to me.
CLIENT
Oh. Oh, gosh. OK.
COACH
So I think you need to get a bit clearer in your thinking actually.
CLIENT
Right. I need to get clearer.
COACH
Mm-hm.
CLIENT
I thought I was getting quite clear. I was--
COACH
But you're talking about going the people management route.
CLIENT
And perhaps that's not such a good idea for me.
COACH
Personally, I don't think that's a great idea.
CLIENT
Right.
COACH
I mean, people are very difficult to manage.
CLIENT
I guess I don't really have the qualifications either.
COACH
Well, that's right. So it sounds like you might be deluding yourself, actually, a little bit.
CLIENT
Yeah, it's a bit of a dilemma to be honest. I do find myself a bit worried about making the wrong choice.
COACH
Yeah, so lost, worried, confused, this isn't sounding like you're in a good head space, is it really?
CLIENT
Right. Perhaps not.
COACH
So I've got a few ideas anyway as to how you can sort this through.
CLIENT
OK. What do you think I should do?
COACH
Well, I think it's about getting really focused thinking to begin with. And if you take my advice, you would really abandon the people management route. I'm not sure it's suited for you.
CLIENT
OK.
COACH
That's what I think.
CLIENT
Right.