Stuckness
Coaches and mentors using Ask David are frequently discussing the subject of client stuckness. Here is why it may be the most valuable part of the work.
By David Clutterbuck · 3 min read
Coaches and mentors using my Ask David AI clone are frequently discussing the subject of client stuckness. Ask David is a curated AI clone of me & my work allows Coaches, Mentors & business professionals to have a conversation with 'me' 24/7 and work through ideas, challenges and to develop clarity in your decision making.
One of the most common traps for a coach or mentor
Client stuckness creates one of the most common traps for a coach or mentor. When someone feels stuck, they become frustrated – sometimes angry with themselves or others. As human beings, we instinctively feel the need to help or rescue. We either end up giving them advice (which may or may not be helpful) or get pulled into the quagmire with them.
A useful reframing
A useful reframing is to see stuckness as an essential and valuable part of growth. We develop our deepest understandings when stuckness causes us to question our assumptions. So focussing on solutions may be the least helpful response a coach can make. Any answer generated is likely to be a temporary fix and the potential for significant learning has been lost.
Stuckness as a storing of energy
Mature coaches support clients while they look beyond the immediate issue and explore the context and the potential for learning. Think of stuckness as a storing of energy – much as happens in the build-up to an earthquake. When the tectonic plates finally shift, vast amounts of energy are released.
When we explore the context and temporarily forget about the problem, our creative, unconscious brain is still working away — but without the inhibiting effect of problem-focussed anxiety. The solutions that emerge are often counter-intuitive, based on insights that can only be achieved by stepping away from the issue.
You can also try out Ask David (my AI clone) to help you with a client challenge like stuckness (and many others) with our free 7 day trial. It is also proving useful for Coaches, Mentors & Business Professionals who themselves are acknowledging stuckness & need a supporting conversation.
© David Clutterbuck, 2026
Questions
What is stuckness in coaching?
Stuckness is when a client is unable to move forward on an issue and becomes frustrated, sometimes angry with themselves or others. David Clutterbuck reframes it as an essential and valuable part of growth rather than a problem to be removed, because we develop our deepest understandings when stuckness causes us to question our assumptions.
Should a coach help a stuck client find a solution?
Focussing on solutions may be the least helpful response a coach can make. Any answer generated is likely to be a temporary fix, and the potential for significant learning is lost. Mature coaches instead support clients while they look beyond the immediate issue and explore the context and the potential for learning.
Why do coaches get pulled into a client’s stuckness?
As human beings we instinctively feel the need to help or rescue. That instinct leads a coach either to give advice, which may or may not be helpful, or to get pulled into the quagmire with the client.
What happens if you stop focussing on the problem?
When we explore the context and temporarily forget about the problem, our creative, unconscious brain is still working away but without the inhibiting effect of problem-focussed anxiety. The solutions that emerge are often counter-intuitive, based on insights that can only be achieved by stepping away from the issue.