219: Pause and Purpose: The Spiritual Role of Coaching

Do personality assessments support or hinder our coaching practices? Join Professor Rebecca Jones and host, Claudia Day for an engaging conversation on how personality shapes coaching and personal development. They both share their personal journeys with personality assessments and give a short live demonstration from the IPIP neo assessment and how it can be used in a coaching session. Rebecca explores key personality theories, the ethical use of assessments, and how understanding personality enhances self-awareness and team dynamics. You can take part in the IPIP neo personality assessment for free by clicking on the link provided in the episode resources on the AC webpage (link below). This episode offers actionable insights for coaches, leaders, and anyone curious about personality’s role in unlocking potential.   You will learn:   ·       The Big Five Personality Traits and their importance for personal and professional growth. ·       Learn how personality assessments can drive self-awareness, development, and effective coaching. ·       Explore the ethical and practical applications of personality tools in coaching and teamwork.   “It can be helpful to perhaps reveal elements of ourselves that we're less aware of, or as a prompt to explore what or how that might manifest or the behaviours that might lead to, and whether that's helpful or not.”   Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-self-awareness-insight-tools-personality-assessments

This week, we dive deep into the transformative concept of self-awareness and explore its profound impact on personal growth, leadership, and coaching.   Join our host, Claudia Day, as she sits down with coach and academic, Julia Carden. Julia shares her journey from leadership in the Royal Navy to her research and deep reflective exploration into self-awareness for coaches and leaders.   Julia explains what self-awareness really is, it’s different components and why it’s such a complex and dynamic construct. She highlights the benefits for coaches and leaders both in their personal and professional lives and give practical strategies to develop and deepen your self-awareness. Julia describes the roles and risks of insight tools and defines the difference between self-awareness, self-consciousness, and self-knowledge. Together, they unravel the complexities of self-awareness and provide practical takeaways for coaches, leaders, and anyone on a path of self-discovery. This episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking discussion.   “What was really enhancing how I showed up as a coach was the work I was doing on myself and the development of self-awareness.”   Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-self-awareness-insight-tools-reflective-coach-development

Ever Wondered What It’s Like to Be a Podcast Host?   Join us for an inspiring end-of-year episode where we bring back all five hosts from our 2024 podcast series to share their incredible journeys. This heartfelt conversation dives into their experiences, challenges, and the ripple effects of stepping outside their comfort zones to follow their passions.   Our 2024 episodes covered diverse yet deeply connected topics, including:   ·       Mental Health: Exploring well-being in today’s complex world ·       Coaching Outdoors: Unveiling the power of nature in personal growth ·       Research in Coaching: Merging science with impactful coaching practices ·       Human-Centric Leadership: Leading with empathy and authenticity ·       Coaching Beyond Tools: Focusing on connection and meaning over techniques   Through it all, one common thread emerged: a heart-centred approach to understanding ourselves and finding purpose in a fast-changing world. It’s an honest, moving discussion that showcases the power of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of goodness. If you’re searching for inspiration, connection, or insight into how transformative conversations can shape your life, this is the perfect listen. The warmth and authenticity of our hosts will leave you reflecting on your own journey and eager to engage in more meaningful dialogues.   “I think all of these series had heart in them. There was something in every topic – that had soul in it, something about our humanity in all of them.”   Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_insights-reflections-hosts-2024  

Are you considering a career pivot or have already taken the leap to turn your passion into a thriving coaching business?     Join host, Maxine Bell, as she speaks with Sally Twisleton about her inspiring journey from a senior engineering leader at Rolls-Royce to becoming a full-time coach. Sally reflects on the challenges and opportunities of starting her own coaching and facilitation business, emphasizing the importance of listening, self-care, and defining personal values and identity as a coach. With a structured approach and a passion for helping people, she discusses how her engineering background has shaped her coaching practice and offers practical tips for marketing, networking, and finding your niche.   Sally also delves into the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, from overcoming self-doubt to maintaining motivation and well-being. She highlights the value of professional supervision, leveraging past experiences, and staying true to your integrity as a coach. Sally also celebrates the creative freedom working for herself brings, whilst reflecting honestly on the areas she finds more difficult. Tune in for an episode packed with wisdom about navigating transitions with purpose and integrity as well as actionable advice to help you embrace your own unique journey.   You will learn:   ·       How to leverage your previous skills and network as powerful assets in your coaching practice ·       How to care for yourself whilst running your own business ·       How to be brave, manage challenges and stay true to your values to build a meaningful and authentic coaching business   "Be brave, embrace your journey, and never lose sight of your integrity—your past experiences are your biggest asset."   Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_day-in-the-life-of-coaches-transition-business-values

Have you ever considered how fear influences coaching dynamics – the fears of the client, but also the coach? In this enlightening conversation, Robin Shohet, a supervisor of nearly 50 years, joins our host, Dina Sabry Fivaz, to delve into topics such as the interplay between coaching and therapy, the barriers of self-deception and the blocks created by the idea of a separate identity. Robin talks profoundly about fear, how it shapes our conversations, judgements and perspectives, as well as how it blocks love in relationships. He shares how helping clients to overcome fears that block love, has become a focus of his work.   Robin explains why interruptions can sometimes be a vital tool, and how shifting from finite goals to infinite possibilities can transform the coaching experience. Whether you’re a coach, therapist or someone curious about personal development, this episode encourages a holistic and spiritually aware approach, aiming to foster deeper connections and personal growth.   You will learn:   ·       Exercises to help recognise and address fears and blocks to love within yourself and your clients ·       How moving beyond separate identities opens the door to deeper love and connection, and why addressing fear is essential to this process ·       Why breaking the cycle of repetitive thinking through intentional interruption can guide clients toward profound awareness and change.     “Once you bring fear to consciousness, it doesn't have the same power. But it has a lot of power when it's not made conscious, and it comes out as all sorts of distorted behaviour.”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools-fear-love-connection  

The transformative role of love in coaching and leadership is explored by leadership development and consultant coach, Helena Clayton and our host Dina Sabry Fivaz . Helena shares insights from her research on love in the workplace, highlighting its various definitions and application in coaching, leadership and organizational relationships. They discuss themes like radical acceptance, unconditional positive regard, fostering connection and belonging.   Helena emphasizes the critical role of self-awareness, objectivity, and transparency in creating a coaching space rooted in love while maintaining professional boundaries. She highlights the growing interest in love as a leadership tool, exploring its potential to foster supportive, empathetic workplaces that drive personal and organizational growth.   You will learn: ·       The significance of love in coaching and leadership ·       Different definitions of love and their implications for coaching relationships ·       Whether a coach can ever be truly neutral and what that means for the coaching dynamic   “"When people showed up with pain, struggle, difficulty, whatever they were looking to work on, I noticed so clearly that when those things were met with love, then there was healing."”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools-love-leadership  

In this enlightening episode, Aboodi Shabi, seasoned coach and lecturer joins host, Dina Sabry Fivaz, to delve into the spiritual function of coaching and its transformative role in today’s fast-paced world. Together, they trace the evolution of coaching from the optimistic lens of the 1990s to its current focus on addressing the deeper emotional and existential needs of clients in an unstable world. Aboodi shares insights on the harm caused by our hyper-productive, capitalist society, where pausing is often undervalued. He contrasts this with ancient spiritual practices that honour rest and stillness as essential for connection and growth. He connects this with how a fast-paced culture can affect coaching practices and how there is a need to prioritize meaning over mere productivity.   Aboodi discusses how coaching provides a sanctuary for reflection, emotional presence and deeper self-connection and acceptance as well as the role of shared experiences and community in fostering a sense of belonging and emotional safety. This episode offers valuable perspectives for coaches, clients, and anyone seeking greater self-awareness, purpose, and fulfilment.   You will learn:   ·       The spiritual role of coaching ·       The distinction between surface-level goals and exploring deeper emotional and spiritual issues ·       The value of creating a coaching space that allows for pausing, rest and emotional expression     “I think part of coaching is allowing people to talk about their strandedness that we're all doing our best to deny. And it is, again, it's creating the space for that stranded voice to be heard.”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools-spiritual-function-meaning

Maria Iliffe-Wood, a seasoned coach and author, joins our host Dina Sabry Fivaz to explore presence, intuition and inner wisdom in the coaching process. They discuss what is meant by intuition and inner wisdom, how to access it and how to harness it whilst working with clients. Maria shares the significance of being present with clients, trusting one’s intuitions and the concept of the “invisible coach.” She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in cultivating intuition and the value of reflective practices for deeper insights. Maria explains the difference between ego-driven thoughts and heart-centred intuition, sharing how silence allows her to access her heart, rather than her head.   By fostering presence and trusting their instincts, coaches can access profound insights that guide transformative conversations, enriching their practice and helping clients achieve meaningful breakthroughs.   You will learn:   ·       What inner wisdom and intuition are ·       The link between presence and inner wisdom ·       How a coach can develop intuition     "My passion is really helping people to remind them of their inner wisdom, their intuition, how to find it, how to trust in it more, and the gateway to that is presence."   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools_intuition-inner-wisdom-presence

John Leary-Joyce, Gestalt Coach, therapist and trainer, joins our host, coach Dina Sabry Fivaz, for the first episode in our ‘Coaching Beyond Tools’ series. Together they explore the Use of Self as an instrument of change – using your internal responses for the benefit of the client. With 45 years of experience in Gestalt coaching and therapy, John emphasizes the crucial role of the coach's presence, self-disclosure, and relational dynamics in strengthening the coaching relationship.   This passionate, insightful discussion reveals, with examples, how coaches can leverage their own experiences and insights to promote client awareness and growth. The episode highlights the importance of authenticity, connection, and the courage to share personal perspectives in the coaching relationship. John also explains how to integrate goals within a Gestalt coaching framework and the role of awareness and insight in coaching.   You will learn: ·       How you as coach can use your internal reactions to benefit the coachee ·       The power of sharing the statement behind your question ·       The impact of self-disclosure on client awareness and growth   “Your very presence influences the coaching…And the whole notion of use of self is bringing that and being explicit about what's happening to you internally as the coach and making that clear and explicit and transparent.”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools_gestalt-use-of-self

In the first episode of our new podcast series, A Day in the Life Of, host Maxine Bell sits down with Anita Sauvage, an executive and post-cancer coach. This series will bring you warm, authentic conversations with real coaches about their real lives, diving deep into the realities of coaching that are often hidden behind social media's glossy facade. We will explore the real-life challenges, rewards, and insights of working as a coach. This series is perfect for anyone on their own coaching journey or curious about the world of professional coaching. Stay tuned for new episodes throughout the year!   In this first inspiring conversation, Anita opens up about her journey into coaching, which began 17 years ago after a life-changing cancer diagnosis. She shares her gratitude for Maggie’s, a charitable organization that supported her and now benefits from her expertise as a volunteer post-cancer coach.   As the Chair of the Association for Coaching (AC) France and an active member of the AC Europe Hub, Anita also sheds light on the unique cultural challenges of being a coach in France. She speaks passionately about the sense of belonging and openness she finds within the AC community.   Anita discusses the freedom and fulfilment she experiences as a coach, highlighting her three main challenges: supporting mental health and wellness, embracing cultural awareness, and remembering that each post-cancer client brings a unique story. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and how introducing pauses in a coaching session can create powerful moments of growth.   Key takeaways:   ·       Why post-cancer coaching is essential for long-term wellness and support. ·       The power of “pausing” in both coaching sessions and your daily life for self-care and effectiveness. ·       The benefits of joining the Association for Coaching, a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to learning and support.   Be inspired by Anita’s journey, her dedication to her clients, and her top coaching tips that every coach can benefit from. Whether you're a new coach or an experienced professional, this episode offers insights and encouragement to enrich your practice.   “Post-cancer coaching is about giving people time and space to recover emotionally and physically, to build their self-confidence and discover their needs.”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_day-in-the-life-of-coaches-Anita-Sauvage-cancer-culture-coachingtips