A coaching conversation is a conversation with a purpose, being a client-determined topic and outcome for each coaching session. Professional Coaches are trained in how to structure a coaching session, so there is maximum opportunity for the client to gain...
Category: U #2 – Embodies a Coaching Mindset
Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client-centered.
Refrain from giving unsolicited suggestions
It can be tempting for a coach to believe their "value" to a client is in the sharing of resources, such as a framework, model or book suggestion for the client. We've been conditioned to believe that our answers are...
Acknowledging your coaching client
As professionally trained coaches, we learn the important coaching skill of acknowledging the client for their “work” in the coaching process. However Acknowledging as a Coaching Skill has broader application, as defined in five of the ICF Core Competencies which...
MillionQuest™ 7 Realms of Self-Mastery
Many of you have experienced working with Michael Stratford, MCC who is my business partner, my amazing supporter and most importantly my life partner of over two decades (so far). Michael is passionate, authentic, talented, fun, funny, and transformational in...
Keep your Coaching Hat On
Coaching skills are a powerful set of behaviors based in a belief that every person being coached has more wisdom about themselves and their circumstances than they may realize. And that with well-structured questions, and observations, offered to the person...
Train like an Olympian
The Winter Olympic Games 2022 have been underway for about 11 days so far, with about 5 days remaining. Every 4 years feels like a treasure chest to me, watching the best athletes in the world compete against each other...
A learning mindset never ends
Learning a new skill to a higher level of proficiency takes more than just time, practice and repetition; it involves motivation, tenacity, iteration, and consistency of effort. Most often, there are beliefs and habits to be examined and shifted, plus...
Practices to Develop and Maintain Presence
Note: This article has been updated in 2023. What is it about some people that has you feel immediately at ease in their presence? What has you trust one person and not feel safe with another? Who do you trust...
Butterfly on the Wall Coaching Series
Have you ever wanted to be a "butterfly" on the wall hanging out (inconspicuously, of course) while an experienced coach is coaching their client? Here's a very rare, unique opportunity to get an insider's peek into the real relationship...
Some of my learnings from one year of pandemic lockdown
March 13, 2020; I remember it well. The National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States (where I live) announced that an elite player had tested positive for Covid-19 and stopped all games in the league indefinitely. Almost overnight it...