Hi ,

The ICF core competencies mention “Partners with the client” a lot. What does that even mean?

If you have known me a while, you know I’m a metaphor maven. I don’t know why, but I tend to think of coaching sessions as exploring a trail with our client. To me, partnering means we navigate that trail together. The client chooses the direction, and the coach is holding the torch, illuminating the options and obstacles so the client can see their path more clearly.

Sometimes, we unintentionally bring things to our coaching sessions that weigh us down or steer us off the trail. Expectations, agendas, and bias can prevent us from truly being able to explore with our client.

Our job is to help our clients become more aware of themselves and their thinking, but in order to do that, we need to give ourselves the time and space to become more aware of our own thinking and what’s going on for us. It can be helpful to take a few moments before and after sessions to ask, “What am I carrying here that is distracting or might take me off the path?"

How does this metaphor land for you? I’d love to know what ways you might see it differently. Just hit reply. I always love hearing from you. 💛

Happy coaching!

Nikki

Nikki Brown, PCC, ACMC

Guiding coaches from confusion to clarity and confidence

🧭 coachnikkib.com