Coach Development

Back in February 2020, I wrote about the ‘new’ ICF Code of Ethics and the changes that were made to the code, which were quite substantial. Over the years I have delivered many classes on ethics, and they alway include how we make ethical decisions. Here, I'll offer thinking around: Where do our ethics typically come from? What influences how we make ethical decisions? What are the ways we typically make ethical decisions? Why do we need an ethical decision-making process to support us as coaches? In discussing the above, I will offer a tool or a model that can ...

At a recent conference, the keynote speaker was discussing innovation and commented on how “additive bias” can impeded our creativity and innovation when we are constantly tempted to add something, as opposed to consider what to take away… Given that bias, awareness of bias (both our own and that of our clients) and how this informs coaching conversations is of significant relevance to coaching, this sparked my interest and I thought I’d explore this topic further, particularly as the idea of ‘additive bias’ was a new one to me. The International Coaching Federation’s Core Competencies and the Code of Ethics ...

During a recent cohort of our Business Development for Coaches Programme, a question arose about whether, as you consider your Coaching Practice, coaching is something that you are going to Integrate into what you are currently doing or are you Transitioning into doing something different from what you have been doing? Further, does it matter and is there a difference? Let's look at those different aspects of a coach’s practice and reflect on what might be useful to ensure that the integration and/or the transition is successful. First let us look at the definitions of Integration and Transition… Integration or ...

I never cease to be amazed how many lessons I can draw from my yoga practice that inform my coaching practice... Last week I was in a class and found myself in a particularly challenging pose and felt a really big stretch on some tight ligaments in my right hip. It was uncomfortable and my mind immediately started complaining and thinking about ways to avoid the discomfort. What if I wriggle a bit? What if I shift the weight across to the other side a bit? What if I lift myself up a bit? As though by magic or psychic ...

Let's explore the importance of ‘checking in’ with our clients during a coaching conversation. What I notice is that most often it happens towards the end of the conversation only and yet, if done more frequently, can often lead to more and deeper learning and awareness for clients. It can also support us as coaches to remain curious and present with our clients and keep out of their way as they process and learn and helps us to avoid deciding what needs to be worked on. Here, we will explore: The purpose of checking in with our clients. How often ...

As an executive coach, I’ve had the privilege to work with clients from a variety of industries and backgrounds. Each of my clients has their own unique challenges and expectations of what coaching can do for them. However, one common theme I’ve observed and validated with client feedback is that coaching has helped them explore their potential in a deeper way than they could have done on their own. One of the tools coaches use to 'go deeper' is a 360. Receiving feedback from peers, managers, subordinates, and even clients can shine a light not just on the 'gap areas' ...

French composer Claude Debussy said, 'Music is the space between the notes.' I like to think that the transformation in coaching happens in the silence between the words. A few years ago, I was working with the academic leader of a large pharmaceutical company. Although the coachee was based in the USA, he was originally from the Asia Pacific region, and English was not his first language. Given that I have extensive experience working across different cultures, I felt we would be a good fit to work together. However, as we started working, I quickly began to wonder whether I ...

A Beginning to an Ending And then I remember, the tree is shedding her wondrous cloak of many colours So she can conserve her energy, go inwards for some quiet contemplation To then come back and say ‘hello’ later through tiny buds with much potential and growth And joy to come again - new leaves, new buds, pretty blossoms and juicy fruits Yes, indeed, as the leaves fall, it is truly bittersweet An extract from the poem ‘As the Leaves Fall’ by Gillian Gabriel, 2022 As I walked by I called out, 'Good morning Cherry!' Reader, meet Cherry… Cherry, meet ...

I have had clients stuck in their limiting beliefs and assumptions that they and their situations are a certain way, impossible to change. Those beliefs have affected their potential to achieve what they want in life. But coaching has helped them to question whether their beliefs are valid and true. Through coaching sessions, the client often realises that these beliefs and assumptions aren’t true and don’t serve them. Helpful questions include: What evidence do you have that this belief about yourself is true? What evidence do you have that the belief is not true? What is possible when you use ...