The Two Problems Every Coachee Has (And How to Solve Them for Good)

by Dr. Michelle Burkhard

After nearly 20 years as a coach (and trainer to thousands of coaches to increase their effectiveness and efficiency), I've realized something surprising: no matter the issue: nutrition, business, or relationships, every coachee has just two core problems.

I call them the “front problem” and the “back problem.”

Once you understand the difference, your coaching will transform.

The Front Problem and The Back Problem

The Front Problem: The One You’re Used to Solving

The front problem is the stated challenge, meal plans, marketing, and relationship struggles. It’s tangible, easy to define and market, and ideal for coaching programs and courses.

Most coaches focus entirely on solving front problems. And it works temporarily. But if you’ve ever had a client return with the same issue (or new ones), you’ve encountered the real problem.

The Back Problem: The One That Never Changes

The back problem is deeper. It’s the subconscious need to feel seen, heard, valued, and loved.

No matter what the front problem, this back problem is always there. If you don’t address it, you’ll play an endless game of coaching whack-a-mole, solving one issue only for another to appear.

Some coaches resist this. They think, “That’s too emotional. That’s not my job.”

But here’s the truth: when people feel truly seen and valued, they often solve their own front problems quickly.

Initial Challenge

A business owner stuck on marketing.

Front Problem Solution

We created a solid strategy, yet she never followed through.

Discovering the Back Problem

"What's really stopping you?"

Tears welled up.
"I feel like a fraud."

Resolution

Once we addressed her self-doubt, she implemented the strategy effortlessly.

Why Most Coaches Stay Stuck on the Front Problem

It's easier

There's a checklist or framework.

It feels productive

Clients get "tangible" solutions.

It's how most coaches were trained

About 80% of coaches focus only on the front problem.

How to Make This Shift

(In Just 8 Minutes!)

Integrating this approach into your coaching is simple in three easy steps:

1

Witness their experience

Spend 8 minutes witnessing your coachee’s experience. Truly listen. Reflect back what you hear. Validate their emotions. Remind them of their strengths.

2

Address the front problem

Spend 5-10 minutes on the front problem. Once they feel understood, solutions often come naturally.

3

Watch what happens

When clients feel deeply recognized, they take action on their own.

The Weight Loss Client Who Finally Took Action

1

Initial Struggle

A fellow coach had a client stuck in a cycle of failed weight-loss attempts. He’d given her every strategy: meal plans, workouts, habit trackers, but nothing stuck.

2

New Approach

Finally, he tried something new. He spent just 8 minutes listening to her struggles without fixing them. She admitted she felt doomed to fail, like her family.

3

Breakthrough

Once she felt seen, something shifted. The next week, she followed the plan perfectly for the first time ever.

Not because of new strategies, but because she finally believed change was possible.

Why Some Coaches Struggle with This Approach

If this feels uncomfortable, consider why:

Perhaps you’ve never experienced deep witnessing. If no one has done this for you, it’s hard to offer it. Find a coach who can.

You prefer structure over connection:

Models are great!

But if they shield you from real engagement, explore that.

You simply weren’t aware:

Well, now you are!

Reflect on what you will do with this insight.

How Addressing the Back Problem Transforms Clients

When clients feel seen, several key things happen:

Self-motivation

Clients become self-motivated. Coaching isn’t about giving endless strategies. When they believe in themselves, clients take ownership.

Breaking patterns faster

Instead of repeating the same cycles, clients see the real obstacle and move through it.

Trusting the process

When clients feel heard, they trust the process and engage more deeply in the work.

Stopping the search for endless solutions

They stop seeking endless solutions. Many clients chase one strategy after another because they haven’t addressed the core emotional block.

About the Author

Dr. Michelle Burkhard, Owner of Grow By 1, is a gifted spiritual coach and educator, blending her deep expertise in education with her divine gifts to guide others on transformative journeys of self-discovery and healing.

Known for her insights in integrating spiritual and emotional growth, Michelle empowers leaders and coaches to uplift and inspire effectively. With over 1,500 podcast episodes of Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life and speaking engagements across seven time zones, she is a sought-after voice in spiritual growth.

She recently published coaching cards and a new book, Coaching Skills for Educators: 52 Tips to Maximizing Others Performance in the Classroom. At home, she cherishes time with her three children, Josiah, Hannah, and Eliana.

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