The new Embodies a Coaching Mindset competency is brilliantly enlightened. It aligns so well with what I keep banging on about – that supervision and mentor coaching are THE most individually tailored continuous professional development that we could possibly invest our time and money in.
This new competency recognises that the coach is his or her own best tool in coaching, and that we need to keep that tool sharp at all times.
This new competency recognises the need for reflective practice. Research has shown (Bachkirova) that reflecting alone, for example journaling, keeps us in place rather than moving us forward. Reflecting with another practitioner through supervision or mentor coaching, however, enables us to process more and deeper; to see our blind spots, hear our deaf spots, understand our dumb spots (Eckstein). These are the interventions that will keep us sharp and at our edge.
This new competency recognises that we all need help from time to time – and alongside supervision and mentor coaching, that might include coaching or therapy. If we are selling coaching to others, we really ought to be investing in it for our own lives! We might be ok at self-coaching, but it’s often those questions we don’t ask ourselves that get us to see things with new clarity.
If you are interested in finding out more about mentor coaching – what it is, how it works, why you would invest in it, how to get the most out of it, and how to offer it – look out for my new book in April: Mentor Coaching: A Practical Guide
Embodies a Coaching Mindset
Definition: Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client-centered
- Acknowledges that clients are responsible for their own choices
- Engages in ongoing learning and development as a coach
- Develops an ongoing reflective practice to enhance one’s coaching
- Remains aware of and open to the influence of context and culture on self and others
- Uses awareness of self and one’s intuition to benefit clients
- Develops and maintains the ability to regulate one’s emotions
- Mentally and emotionally prepares for sessions
- Seeks help from outside sources when necessary
What are your views on this competency? Does it go far enough? How do you see yourself aligning with it?
Here’s my previous post on the new ICF Competencies – my likes and my wishes…
