Three-Party Agreements: Coaching in Organizations If you’re stepping into organizational coaching (or thinking about it) one of the first big questions is: how do you navigate a coaching engagement when there’s more than just you and the client at the table? That’s where three-party agreements come in.

In this episode, I break down the essentials of three-party (or sponsored) engagements: what they are, why they matter, and how to set them up in a way that protects trust while also aligning with organizational goals. Whether you’re new to corporate coaching or looking to strengthen your contracting skills, this conversation will give you practical tools for building clarity, safety, and alignment from the start.

You’ll hear about:

• Why a three-party agreement is best approached as a conversation first, document second;

• The must-have elements to include, from goals and confidentiality to feedback protocols and exit clauses;

• How to balance organizational expectations with the coachee’s autonomy and professional growth;

• What to watch out for when hidden agendas or performance management creep into the process;

• The role of culture and diversity in shaping agreements that actually work across contexts.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow coach who’s navigating organizational coaching or preparing for it. And if you haven’t yet, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, especially the next one, where we’ll dive into one of the most powerful aspects of coaching: working with emotions.

Want to deepen your coaching practice with more confidence and clarity? I’d love to connect.

• DM me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/) or visit www.upthinkcoaching.com

When a Client Does Not Make Progress in a Coaching Session

If you’ve ever left a coaching session wondering, “Was that enough?” or “Did my client actually make progress?” this episode is for you. Whether you’re a new coach or an experienced practitioner, the pressure to “deliver results” can lead to performance mode, second-guessing, and even subtle missteps in the coaching relationship.

As a mentor coach and supervisor, I see this all the time. Coaches confusing visible “aha” moments with meaningful progress, or missing deeper signs of transformation that don’t look dramatic on the surface.

In this episode, we unpack what progress actually means in a coaching session, how to sense it, and what to do when you’re not seeing it.

You’ll hear about:

• The myth of the “big aha” and how it trips coaches into performance mode;
• How to notice when the client is circling around a surface topic to avoid something deeper;
• The coach’s role in creating psychological safety for emotional honesty and real insight;
• What to do when you feel you’re working harder than your client — and how to hand the process back;
• The link between progress and trust, and why emotional transparency matters more than perfectly framed questions.

If this episode helped, please share it with a fellow coach who might need to hear it. And if you haven’t yet, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, especially if you’re curious about the deeper, relational side of coaching.

Let’s connect!

Want to bring more presence, confidence, and clarity to your coaching? I am here for that.

• DM me on LinkedIn or visit upthinkcoaching.com to explore supervision, mentor coaching, or our accredited coach training programs.
• Our next PCC Path (Level 2) - "Beyond the Tools: Advanced Coaching in Emotional, Intercultural & Relational Spaces"- begins in September: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/the-path-to-excellence-for-certified-coaches/
• ACC Path (Level 1) opens in November: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/become-a-coach/

Looking forward to supporting you on your journey.

Many coaches associate a “coaching mindset” with being positive, open, or reflective. But in practice, it’s something deeper and more disciplined. In this episode, we unpack what it truly means to embody a coaching mindset, beyond ICF definitions and into the psychological habits that shape how we show up.

For coaches who and coaching leaders who have ever felt:

• Uncertain whether you're being present or subtly performing

• Caught between curiosity and the urge to fix

• Drained from maintaining “the right attitude” session after session

This episode offers clarity, evidence, and honest reflection.

You’ll learn:

• What lies beneath ICF’s “Embodies a Coaching Mindset” competency

• How curiosity, emotional regulation, and non-directiveness influence client outcomes

• Why a mindset shift often matters more than a new tool or question

• Common traps and how to work through them

• Simple practices to reset and return to presence

Let’s stay in touch: Follow the show, connect with me on LinkedIn, or reach out if something in this episode sparked a reflection. And join us next time as we explore what to do when a client doesn’t make progress.

If this episode helped, share it with a fellow coach who's in the same boat.

Here's More:

Do you want to bring more presence, confidence, and clarity to your coaching? I am here for that.

• DM me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/) or visit upthinkcoaching.com to explore supervision, mentoring, or our accredited coach training programs.
• Our next PCC Path (Level 2) program begins in September, and the ACC Path (Level 1) program opens in November.
• Download our FREE workbook "Reflective Practice For Coaches" at https://upthinkcoaching.com/for-coaches/

Looking forward to supporting you on your journey.

If you're a coach-in-training, a freshly certified practitioner, or simply someone who feels stuck between wanting to help and fearing you’re not “ready” yet, this episode is for you. You probably have a lot of questions about how to find clients, how to talk about your coaching, and whether it’s okay to charge for your services yet.

As a coach educator, mentor and supervisor, I have worked with many coaches navigating these exact challenges. In this episode, I share honest, practical advice based on experience. Just the things that work.

It is ok to be new. Being clear and transparent builds trust more than pretending to be an expert ever will.

You’ll hear about:

• Ways to collect evidence of your skills, even early in your training;
• How to introduce yourself and your coaching authentically and ethically, with practical examples of phrases you can use;
• How to deal with rejection and why that’s not about you personally;
• Using CustDev interviews to connect and really understand what your future clients need;
• Practical ways to set your fees and offer packages that make sense for you and your clients.

If this episode helped, share it with a fellow coach who's in the same boat.

Let’s connect!

Do you want to bring more presence, confidence, and clarity to your coaching? I am here for that.

• DM me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/) or visit upthinkcoaching.com to explore supervision, mentoring, or our accredited coach training programs.
• Our next PCC Path (Advanced Cohort) begins in September, and the ACC Path (Level 1) opens in November.
• Download our FREE workbook "Reflective Practice For Coaches" at https://upthinkcoaching.com/for-coaches/

Looking forward to supporting you on your journey.

What does it really mean to coach the “Who” and why do we talk about that often in coaching?

In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I’m addressing one of the most frequently discussed ideas in coach training: coaching the whole person. You’ve probably heard the phrase in mentor feedback, ICF performance assessments, or coach training sessions. My goal for this episode is to explain it in a clear and practical way.

If you’re working toward your PCC credential, or simply want to have more meaningful conversations with clients, I hope you’ll find this episode useful.

We’ll explore:

• What “coaching the Who” really means and how it differs from "coaching the What";
• The psychological foundations of identity and their connection to the “Who”;
• Reasons to do the Who work in coaching;
• Common traps that keep coaches stuck at the “What” level;
• Skills coaches need to develop to work at the level of identity

Tune in and let’s explore it together.

Get in touch:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
• Email: Luba@upthinkcoaching.com
• Website: www.upthinkcoaching.com\
• Explore ICF-accredited coach training programs, mentor coaching and supervision: https://www.upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development

In this episode, we dive into one of the most personal and relatively common puzzles in coaching: “How do I find my own coaching style?” It’s the question that emerges during the certification, resurfaces during tricky sessions, and shows up again when we compare ourselves to other coaches. We explore what holds coaches back from showing up with authenticity, how our training might sometimes wire us to sound like someone else, and how to go about finding your voice (spoiler: this isn’t just about technique).

I will also unpack what “inner permission” means in this context. The kind that lets you bring more of yourself into the session: your intuition, your language, and your edge. We’ll talk about a possible tension between being present and being polished, between being yourself and being “professional.” And we explore how you can bring your full presence to coaching without losing sight of yourself or your client.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether it’s okay to sound less like a textbook and more like you, then this episode is for you. Your coaching voice might be closer than you think.

Get in touch:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
• Email: Luba@upthinkcoaching.com
• Website: www.upthinkcoaching.com
• Explore ICF-accredited coach training programs, mentor coaching and supervision: https://www.upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/

Let’s face it — disappointment happens in coaching. Maybe your client expected more progress, or perhaps you feel coaching does not work for them. Something just does not feel right! In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I’ll talk about what might be causing that disappointment and how you can turn those tricky moments into opportunities for growth. We’ll explore how to address these feelings head-on, validate your client’s experience, and keep communication open to ensure that both you and your client are on the same page. I’ll also share some questions you can ask to keep your coaching relationship strong and aligned.

This episode is for:

• Coaches who want to navigate those awkward moments with clients with empathy and confidence.
• Mentors looking for fresh insights to share with their mentees.
• Anyone curious about personal development and emotional dynamics in relationships.

And don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll dive into balancing your unique coaching style while keeping the spotlight on your clients.

Get in touch:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
• Email: Luba@upthinkcoaching.com
• Website: www.upthinkcoaching.com
• Explore ICF-accredited coach training programs, mentor coaching and supervision: https://www.upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development

In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I invite you to slow down with me and reflect on the year — not just on your coaching practice, but on yourself as a person and a professional After all, our coaching style is about how we show up, bringing into each session exactly what we carry within us — no more and no less.

I’ll share my December tradition: a Reflective Advent Calendar. It is a playful yet meaningful way to connect with your experiences, both personal and professional. You’ll hear about five of my favorite reflection prompts, and these prompts will be my invitation to you to step back and appreciate the lessons this year has offered.

Grab your favorite pen, settle in, and let’s reflect together. By the way, we have a wonderful free Reflective Practice Workbook for coaches. You can get your copy here:

https://upthinkcoaching.com/for-coaches/

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/

Explore Our Coach Training Programs, Mentoring and Supervision with Me:

https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/