I recently started a new period of study, learning how to be a coach supervisor. having received coaching supervision in the past, I recognise how important it is to keep us all sharp. It’s so easy to lose our edge, and supervision can prevent that, so that we give EVERY client the best coaching we can EVERY time.
So what did I learn on the first module? A few little nougats to share with you…
1. Supervision is working with an experienced practitioner in the same field. That’s one difference from coaching, where you do not need to be an expert in the coachee’s industry, but rather an expert in coaching. The other difference is that supervision looks at all of the stakeholders involved in the coaching – even those not in the room.
2. Good supervision is when both parties are exploring new territory. I need to be on the edge of my comfort zone too. I guess that applies to coaching as well, but it was a good reminder to challenge myself in this regard.
3. Never know better, never know first. Never withhold your experience or awareness where it could serve your coachee, or your supervisee.
4. Shift happens. 95% of the stuff is not personal. The skill in supervision is in modelling being ok with not being ok.
What are you reflections on coaching supervision?
Hi Clare, I wish you well with your studies having gained my Accredited Diploma in Coach Supervision in June 2012.
Your reflections prompted me to relook at my learning journal and there are some real links with what you have experienced so far. Hope it supports your journey to have a look at some of my key reflections:
* I am a busy, no, very busy person by nature, and so it took some time for me to realise that reflection is an action – just a different sort of one.
“When we slow down and examine issues more thoroughly, becoming more aware of the process we are really dealing with, a new factor often emerges into the equation – ourselves.” (Bluckert. 2006:p48)
* I lost the ‘policeman’, ‘adviser’ and ‘evaluator’ instead focusing on learning partner, creative spirit and warm human being.
“Commit yourself heart and soul to your approach but resist the temptation to believe that it is truly superior.” (de Haan. 2008: p49)
* I found the joy and connected of real, prodound listening and presence.
“The beauty of the supervision process and supervisory relationship is that the quality of listening and presence there brings everything into alignment so that everyone is served.” (Shohet. 2008:p98)
“…the core capacity needed to access the field of the future is presence.” (Senge, Scharmer, Jaworski & Flowers. 2004:p11)
* The power of creativity and working in metaphor in the supervision work I do
“…that creativity and spontaneity belong in the supervisory relationship…opens new perspectives for supervisee and supervisor.” (Shohet. 2008:p131)
Fabulous supervision is more than just one process:
“If the conditions are right, the huge intelligence of the human being surfaces.” (Kline. 1999:p37)
I’ll leave the last word to one of my supervisees:
• “GROW and coaching are not the same thing!”
• “Oooo!”
• “Wow!”
• “Really good coaching has an intimacy and is more than a technique or tool. GROW was not a coaching intervention with this group and I’m less likely to use in this way again.”
Active reflection ~ Reflective action.
Enjoy your journey!
hello Yvette. Thank you so much for sharing your learning. There are some new book recommendations in amongst your quotes, so I will be rushing off to Amazon to find out more about those, as the quotes are very inspiring.