In this episode we explore the impact of global turbulence on our coaching practice. With ongoing uncertainty in the world, including recent political events, we discuss how these external challenges affect both coaches and our clients. We dive into key themes such as emotional impact, self-awareness, supervision, and the importance of reflective practice.

Sarah reflects on her approach to media consumption, questioning whether avoiding distressing news is self-protection or a way of disconnecting. We discuss how world events shape our clients’ experiences, particularly those facing discrimination or personal struggles, and why coaches must be aware of these influences. Supervision provides a vital space to regulate emotions, stay present, and avoid becoming entangled in clients’ challenges. Although we've already recorded one episode on supervision, there is so much to say on this topic that we've recorded another,

We also explore strategies for creating safe, open coaching spaces, setting clear expectations, and developing a “third eye” perspective—stepping back to observe both the client and ourselves. Through thoughtful discussion, we offer insights on resilience, preparedness, and maintaining authenticity in the face of uncertainty.

In this episode, we discuss the often-overlooked topic of endings in coaching relationships. This is an update to a special we did when Gregor’s Coaching At Work article was published but we’ve updated and expanded on our thinking since. So we’ve explored how endings can impact both coaches and clients, offering practical insights and tips on how to approach this significant stage of the coaching process.

Also, we reflect on how clients may struggle with letting go of the coaching relationship and how coaches can approach this phase with care and thoughtfulness.

We talk about how integrating measurable outcomes into the coaching process—such as reviewing achievements and impact with clients—can be a valuable part of a coaching practice.

Touched upon is the importance of thinking about coaching as a process that impacts not just the individual, but the team, clients, and suppliers. We recommend exploring the broader effects of the coaching work and how those ripple effects can inform future coaching endeavours.

We share our 3 top tips on ending coaching engagements.

Resources:

• Rachael Hanley-Browne https://www.rh-b.com/
• Article Gregor co-authored in Coaching At Work magazine: https://www.coaching-at-work.com/2022/04/29/finishing-touches/
• Previous episode on endings if you really want it! https://the-coaching-question.captivate.fm/episode/how-do-we-best-end-coaching-engagements

In this episode, we dive into the critical distinction between empathy and compassion in coaching, exploring how these concepts influence the effectiveness of coaching sessions.

Drawing from our own coaching and supervisory experiences, we discuss the importance of boundaries, self-awareness, and personal responsibility in both coaching and supervision.

We touch on how coaches can maintain their energy and emotional resilience in their practice.

As usual, we share our 3 top tips.

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Resources:

• Robin Shohet: This isn’t a direct quote but he encourages coaches to pay exquisite attention to how someone makes you feel.
• Kristin Neff: Self-compassion expert, with further resources on her website; https://self-compassion.org