The Coaching Crowd® Podcast with Jo Wheatley & Zoe Hawkins

If people don't know you exist, how can they ever choose to work with you? This episode felt like a necessary conversation. One that many coaches avoid, delay, or quietly struggle with. We explored why personal brand matters for coaches, and more importantly, what it really means beyond the noise of marketing jargon. Because for many, the idea of "personal branding" feels uncomfortable. It can feel like self-promotion, like performance, or like stepping into a space that doesn't quite fit with the values of coaching. And yet, the reality is simple. If people don't know you exist, they cannot work with you. What we reflected on in this episode is that personal brand is not something you create. It is something you reveal. It is how people experience you. It is what you stand for. It is the consistency between what you say and how you show up. When someone chooses a coach, they are not only choosing a skillset. They are choosing a person. They are asking: Do I feel safe with this person? Do our values align? Do I trust how they think and how they work? And personal brand is the bridge that helps answer those questions. We shared openly how, in the early days, we didn't think about personal brand at all. We believed that being a coach was enough. That our work would speak for itself. But over time, we learned something critical. Clarity creates trust. Consistency builds credibility. Visibility creates opportunity. And personal brand sits at the centre of all three. What became clear as we talked was that authenticity is the foundation of everything. We never sat down and decided what our brand would be. We didn't curate a persona or engineer an identity. What you hear on this podcast is who we are in real life. The depth, the curiosity, the challenge, the care. It runs through everything we do. That consistency allows people to understand what it feels like to work with us before they ever step into a room. And that is where personal brand becomes powerful. We also spoke about the discomfort that comes with visibility. There is a moment every coach faces where sharing your voice feels exposing. Where putting your thoughts out into the world feels permanent. Where fear shows up. And yet, growth sits on the other side of that. Personal branding is not about feeling comfortable. It is about being willing to be seen anyway. Over time, it becomes easier. Your voice becomes clearer. Your confidence builds. And what once felt like exposure starts to feel like expression. Another important shift we explored is this: You already have a personal brand. Whether you are intentional about it or not, people are forming perceptions based on how they experience you. The choice is whether you actively shape that experience or leave it to chance. And when you begin to take ownership of it, something changes. You start to see what makes you distinct. You recognise the patterns in how people describe you. You begin to build something that feels aligned, not forced. For us, investing in our brand marked a turning point. It was not only about how others saw us. It was about how we saw ourselves. It moved us from hoping things would work, to deciding that we believed in what we were building. And that shift created momentum. This episode is a reminder that personal brand is not about becoming someone else. It is about standing more fully in who you already are. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to personal branding in coaching 00:43 – What personal brand really means 02:09 – How people experience you as a coach 04:35 – Clarity, consistency, and credibility 06:01 – Authenticity and real-life alignment 08:19 – Why you cannot fake your brand 09:38 – Consistency builds trust over time 12:28 – Visibility and the fear of being seen 15:14 – Recognising what makes you unique 17:37 – Brand evolution and growth over time 20:05 – You already have a brand 21:58 – Investing in your brand and business growth 24:49 – Evolving your brand as you grow 27:43 – Why visibility is essential for success Key Lessons Learned: Personal brand is about authenticity, not performance Visibility is essential for attracting coaching clients Consistency builds trust and strengthens credibility You already have a personal brand, whether intentional or not Discomfort around visibility is part of growth Your brand should reflect your values, beliefs, and coaching style Testimonials can reveal powerful insights about your brand Investing in your brand can transform your confidence and business growth Keywords: Personal brand for coaches, Why personal branding matters in coaching, Coaching business growth, Coach visibility and marketing, Authentic personal branding, Coaching identity and brand, How to attract coaching clients, Coaching marketing strategies, Building trust as a coach, Coaching business development, Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

Is staying neutral as a coach always the right thing to do, or can it quietly cause more harm than good? In this episode, we found ourselves deep in reflection while developing our coaching supervision training, questioning something many coaches are taught early on: neutrality. It is often positioned as a gold standard in coaching, yet as we explored it more deeply, we realised the reality is far more nuanced. We began by unpacking what neutrality actually means in coaching. For us, it has always been about creating a clean space where clients can explore their own thoughts, beliefs, and decisions without influence. We are trained to avoid imposing our views, resisting the urge to label ideas as good or bad. That foundation remains important. Yet as we talked, it became clear that neutrality is not always straightforward or even helpful. Through our conversation, we explored the tension between being non-judgmental and being responsible. We reflected on moments in our own coaching where staying completely neutral could have led to avoidance. Avoidance of challenge. Avoidance of difficult conversations. Avoidance of responsibility. One example we discussed was working with leaders whose behaviours may unintentionally create toxic dynamics. In those moments, remaining passive can allow harmful patterns to continue unchecked. Instead, we explored how curiosity, thoughtful questioning, and sometimes stepping slightly beyond neutrality can help clients see the true impact of their actions. We also reflected on the role of rapport and contracting. The depth of challenge we bring as coaches often depends on the relationship we have built and the expectations we have set. Some clients want to be stretched. Others need space first. There is no one-size approach, and this is where coaching becomes more art than formula. A key theme that emerged for us was the idea of responsible neutrality. Neutrality that is not detached from ethics or awareness. Neutrality that does not ignore systemic issues such as power, culture, or discrimination. Because choosing not to challenge can unintentionally reinforce harmful systems. We also shared moments where stepping slightly outside neutrality created powerful breakthroughs. Whether it was expressing surprise, offering an observation, or gently pushing a client to stretch further, these small shifts can create significant impact when grounded in trust and intention. Ultimately, this episode is not about rejecting neutrality. It is about evolving beyond a rigid interpretation of it. Coaching is not a rule book. It is a practice that requires awareness, reflection, and continuous learning. We left this conversation recognising that great coaching sits in the tension between discipline and intuition, between structure and flexibility, and between neutrality and courageous challenge. And perhaps the real question is not whether neutrality is toxic, but whether we are using it consciously. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and the question of neutrality 01:02 What neutrality means in coaching practice 02:35 When neutrality supports curiosity and openness 04:52 When neutrality becomes avoidance or passivity 07:23 Real coaching example of challenging leadership behaviour 09:07 The role of contracting and client expectations 11:02 Reflecting on your own coaching approach 13:52 Stretching clients beyond surface-level actions 15:25 Systemic impact and ethical responsibility in coaching 17:23 Real example of stepping outside neutrality 18:57 Introducing the concept of responsible neutrality 20:48 The complexity and contradictions of coaching 22:15 Learning when to be neutral and when not to 24:18 Final reflections and invitation to continue the conversation Key Lessons Learned: Neutrality in coaching is a foundational principle, but it is not always sufficient on its own Passive neutrality can lead to avoidance of challenge and reduced coaching impact Responsible coaching requires balancing support with meaningful challenge Contracting and rapport play a critical role in determining how far to stretch a client Coaches must remain aware of systemic issues and the impact of silence Small, intentional shifts away from neutrality can create powerful breakthroughs Coaching is both a discipline and an art, requiring judgment, reflection, and adaptability Supervision and peer discussions are essential for navigating complex coaching decisions Keywords: Neutrality in coaching, Coaching ethics, Coaching supervision, Leadership coaching, Coaching skills, Non-judgmental coaching, Coaching challenges, Professional coaching development, Systemic coaching, Coaching conversations, Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

Re-accreditation Checklist: At the start of this episode, we laid out everything you need to have in place for a smooth, stress-free re-accreditation process. Here's the full checklist to guide you: Know your accreditation renewal period (e.g. 3 years for ICF, 5 years for EMCC) Track your re-accreditation deadline well in advance Complete the required number of CPD hours Ensure your CPD meets the criteria of your accrediting body Budget for re-accreditation costs and ongoing CPD investment Keep your coaching log accurate and up to date Record coaching hours clearly and ethically Maintain structured notes for potential case studies Understand requirements for supervision or mentor coaching Ensure supervision or mentor coaching aligns with accreditation standards Stay active in coaching practice to meet hour requirements Prepare for potential audits or verification checks Clarify requirements if progressing to the next accreditation level Plan ahead for recordings or evidence submissions if required Align your CPD with your professional development goals Regularly review your progress rather than leaving it to the deadline Have you ever felt that quiet pressure when an accreditation deadline starts creeping closer, knowing you might not have everything in place? In this episode, we unpack what re-accreditation really involves and why it often catches coaches off guard. We move beyond the surface-level requirements and into the reality of maintaining professional coaching standards over time. As we talk through this, we found ourselves reflecting on how easy it is to assume accreditation is a one-time milestone. In reality, it is an ongoing commitment to growth, ethics, and professional integrity. Re-accreditation is not simply about ticking boxes. It is about demonstrating that you are actively developing, learning, and showing up responsibly for your clients. We explore the practical side of re-accreditation, including CPD requirements, coaching logs, supervision, and the financial investment involved. One of the biggest insights that stood out for me is how important it is to understand what actually counts as valid CPD, especially when different bodies like the International Coach Federation, European Mentoring and Coaching Council, and Association for Coaching all have different expectations. There is also a deeper layer to this conversation. Re-accreditation invites reflection. It creates a moment to pause and ask: who have I become as a coach since I started? What have I learned? Where am I heading next? We also talk about the reality that many coaches leave things too late. Trying to pull together dozens of CPD hours or reconstruct coaching logs at the last minute creates unnecessary stress. A more strategic, forward-thinking approach transforms re-accreditation into something far more valuable. It becomes a structured pathway for continuous professional development. What we felt strongly during this conversation is that re-accreditation should not feel like a burden. When approached intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool for growth, clarity, and confidence in your coaching practice. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to re-accreditation 00:28 Why accreditation is not a one-time achievement 01:26 The reality of CPD requirements and time pressure 02:22 The responsibility of being an accredited coach 04:35 Understanding renewal periods across coaching bodies 06:21 CPD requirements and what counts 08:49 Budgeting and financial planning for re-accreditation 09:19 Coaching logs and why most coaches struggle with them 10:24 Reflection and growth through re-accreditation 11:22 Progressing to higher accreditation levels 13:00 Case studies and record keeping 16:18 Supervision and mentor coaching requirements 18:14 Ethical coaching beyond the accreditation process 19:31 Building a proactive re-accreditation plan Key Lessons Learned Re-accreditation is a continuous professional commitment, not a one-off milestone Planning ahead removes stress and improves the quality of your development Not all CPD is equal, understanding what counts is critical Coaching logs are essential and should be maintained consistently Supervision and mentor coaching are foundational to ethical practice Re-accreditation is an opportunity for reflection, not only compliance Aligning CPD with your long-term goals accelerates your growth as a coach Keywords: coaching re-accreditation, CPD for coaches, coach accreditation requirements, ICF re-accreditation, EMCC accreditation renewal, coaching supervision requirements, professional coaching development, coaching log requirements, mentor coaching, continuous professional development coaching, Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

Are you making decisions that truly align with what matters most to you, or are you operating on autopilot without realising it? In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful yet often overlooked elements of coaching and personal development: values. As coaches, we have seen time and time again how uncovering values can transform the way people think, feel, and act. This conversation goes beyond theory and into the lived experience of what happens when someone finally understands what is driving their decisions. We reflect on how values operate like internal guidance systems, quietly influencing behaviour, priorities, and emotional responses. Many people move through life without consciously recognising their values, yet they feel the consequences when those values are either fulfilled or ignored. Through coaching, we create space for people to bring these unconscious drivers into awareness, allowing them to make more intentional and aligned choices. During this conversation, we unpack what values really are and why they are essential in effective coaching. We explore how values are not simply words, but deeply personal meanings shaped by life experiences. Two people may share the same value, such as freedom or connection, yet interpret and live it in completely different ways. That distinction is where real coaching insight begins. We also reflect on the emotional impact of discovering values. There is often a moment where everything clicks into place, where confusion turns into clarity. It is not uncommon for people to feel a physical response when they uncover a core value, as though they have found a missing piece of themselves. This is where coaching becomes transformational rather than transactional. A key theme we explore is the link between values and decision making. Many people feel stuck or conflicted without understanding why. Through a values lens, that tension becomes clearer. For example, a desire for creativity may be in conflict with a need for security. Rather than forcing change, coaching allows individuals to honour both values and find a way forward that feels aligned. We also discuss how values influence motivation, particularly the difference between moving towards something meaningful versus moving away from something uncomfortable. This distinction can have a significant impact on energy, resilience, and long term sustainability. Throughout the episode, we share practical ways to begin exploring values in coaching conversations, from simple reflective questions to deeper exploration of meaning and behaviour. We also touch on how values are shaped through early life experiences and how they can evolve or come into awareness at different stages of life. Ultimately, this episode is about helping people reconnect with what truly matters. When values are understood and honoured, decision making becomes clearer, confidence grows, and people are able to live and lead with greater purpose and intention. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to coaching values 00:29 Why values shape decisions and fulfilment 01:25 What values are and how they influence behaviour 02:46 Values and self-understanding in coaching 03:42 Examples of common values and their meaning 05:02 Hidden values and deeper layers 06:20 Values, goals, and personal alignment 08:13 Values and internal conflict 10:07 Using values to unlock stuckness 11:06 Simple ways to explore values in coaching 12:25 Towards vs away from values 13:46 Energy, burnout, and value alignment 15:07 Linking values to behaviour and decision making 16:29 How values are formed 17:19 Do values change over time? 18:13 Life events and shifting values 19:03 Values as a foundation for resilience 20:19 Final reflections and next steps Key Lessons Learned: Values act as internal drivers that shape decisions, behaviour, and emotional responses Awareness of values enables more intentional and aligned life choices Values are deeply personal and go beyond surface level words Internal conflict often stems from competing values rather than lack of clarity Moving towards values creates sustainable motivation, while moving away can drain energy Values provide a powerful framework for coaching conversations and personal growth Understanding values helps individuals move from feeling stuck to feeling empowered Values are influenced by early experiences but can evolve or come into awareness over time Keywords: coaching values, values in coaching, personal values coaching, decision making coaching, coaching for personal growth, understanding values, values and behaviour, coaching techniques, mindset coaching, emotional intelligence coaching, leadership coaching values, overcoming internal conflict, motivation and values Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

What if the reason your client cannot access clarity, action or decision making has nothing to do with their mindset and everything to do with their nervous system? In this episode, we explore a dimension of coaching that sits beneath the questions, the goals and the models. Every coaching conversation is not only a meeting of minds. It is a meeting of two nervous systems. When a client arrives in a state of urgency, overwhelm or shutdown, the most powerful coaching move is often not another question. It is the creation of safety. We reflect on moments in our own coaching and supervision where dysregulation was present and how quickly everything shifted when the focus moved from performance to regulation. A single breath. A slowing of pace. A gentle acknowledgement of what was happening in the body. These are the moments that allow a client to return to themselves and re access their thinking, their resourcefulness and their learning. What becomes clear is that dysregulation does not only appear in the big life events. It can show up in the everyday pressure of a full diary, the urgency before a holiday, a difficult conversation that happened that morning or the weight of time and responsibility. Without the ability to recognise and work with these states, a coaching session can remain on the surface, even when the client is highly capable and committed. We talk about co regulation and the role of the coach as a steady nervous system anchor. When we are grounded, calm and present, we invite our clients back into their own window of tolerance. From this place, curiosity returns. Reflection becomes possible. Decision making becomes clearer. Action becomes meaningful. We also explore the different ways dysregulation can present. It may look like anxiety, restlessness and pressure. It may look like fogginess, disconnection and a lack of motivation that could easily be mislabelled as resistance. With awareness, we stop pushing for progress and instead resource the client so that progress becomes possible. This work sits firmly within the role of a coach. If a dysregulated nervous system is the obstacle to a client's goal, then supporting regulation is part of working in the gap between where they are and where they want to be. It is ethical, it is powerful and it is deeply human. We also turn the lens towards ourselves as coaches. Our own nervous system is part of the coaching relationship. Noticing when we become activated, understanding our triggers and knowing how to return to regulation is essential if we are to hold safe, effective spaces for our clients. Ultimately, this episode is about presence. It is about recognising that transformation does not happen when a client is in survival mode. It happens when they feel safe enough to think, feel and choose. And sometimes the most valuable coaching session is the one where the goal is not achieved, but the client leaves regulated, resourced and reconnected to themselves. Timestamps: 00:00 Coaching as a meeting of two nervous systems 00:27 Why dysregulation blocks progress 00:56 A supervision example of co regulation in action 02:24 Coaching happens in the body as well as the mind 02:51 The coach as a nervous system anchor 03:19 How to help clients arrive in safety 04:44 Everyday examples of nervous system activation 06:09 When coaching feels like an interruption for the client 07:07 Resourcing before support and challenge 08:27 Simple regulation invitations and awareness 09:50 When past experiences are triggered in coaching 11:12 Dysregulation is not doing harm 12:09 Window of tolerance explained simply 13:36 Fight, flight and shutdown in coaching sessions 15:24 Working ethically with regulation as the goal 16:23 Coaching in the gap between goal and obstacle 17:49 Nervous system awareness for trauma and neurodivergence 18:44 Connection before progress 19:39 When clients cannot access future thinking 20:31 Powerful regulation focused coaching questions 21:39 Holding safety until the client can return to themselves 23:07 How quickly regulation can restore clarity 24:33 The coach's own nervous system in the relationship 25:28 Further learning through neurodivergent inclusive coaching Key Lessons Learned: Coaching effectiveness depends on the client's nervous system state. Co regulation is a core coaching capability, not an optional extra. Dysregulation often appears in everyday pressure, not only major events. Shutdown can be misinterpreted as resistance without nervous system awareness. Regulation is sometimes the most valuable outcome of a session. The coach's own regulation directly impacts the quality of the space held. Nervous system literacy is essential for trauma informed and neurodivergent inclusive coaching. Keywords: coaching the nervous system, nervous system regulation in coaching, trauma informed coaching skills, window of tolerance coaching, co regulation in coaching sessions, neurodivergent inclusive coaching, somatic coaching awareness, how to help clients feel safe in coaching, executive functioning and coaching, advanced coaching presence, Links & Resources: Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching programme: https://www.igcompany.com/nd

What if building a career in coaching did not require you to run your own business at all? In this episode, we open up a conversation that we realise we have not explored nearly enough. We often talk about creating a coaching business or becoming a coaching leader, yet there is a growing and exciting landscape of coaching jobs inside organisations that deserves real attention. This discussion was sparked by the noticeable rise in coaching roles appearing across LinkedIn and within our own community. As we began to explore them more closely, we reflect on our own experience of returning to an in-house role where coaching formed the heart of my work. It brought together everything we loved about developing people, with the stability of a regular income and without the constant need to generate clients. That combination created a deep sense of alignment and ease. We share the wide range of ways coaching now shows up in organisations. Some roles are fully dedicated internal coach positions. Others sit within learning and development, people development, leadership, apprenticeships or culture transformation. In many cases, coaching becomes the differentiating skill that allows someone to move from one profession into another and close the experience gap that once felt like a barrier. What becomes clear in this conversation is that there is no single pathway. For some people, the idea of running a business and stepping into a CEO identity is energising. For others, it is not where their passion lies. There is equal value in a role where you are paid to do the work you love every day, making a tangible difference to individuals and teams, without needing to manage marketing, sales and operations. We also reflect on the increasing recognition within organisations that coaching improves performance, supports wellbeing and helps retain talented people. As executive coaching has proven its impact, companies are now asking how to create that same level of support at scale. This is where internal coaching capability and coaching cultures are being built, and it is opening doors to roles that simply did not exist a decade ago. One of the most important themes running through this episode is possibility. Coaching training is not only about becoming a coach in private practice. It is a powerful, transferable professional development that allows you to reshape your current role, step into a new one or design a portfolio career that blends stability with independence. We also talk about timeframes, because the journey is often far more achievable than people imagine. Within a year to eighteen months, it is entirely possible to gain a qualification, apply your existing experience and position yourself as the ideal candidate for roles that previously felt out of reach. At its core, this episode is about contribution. It is about being paid to make a meaningful difference, to work with people in a way that feels purposeful, and to build a career that reflects how you truly want to spend your time. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to coaching jobs in organisations 00:26 Jo's in-house coaching role and the value of income stability 01:48 Searching for coaching roles and surprising results 03:17 Using coaching to bring strengths and passions together 04:17 A success story of moving into an internal coaching role 05:11 New and emerging coaching career pathways 06:05 Coaching qualifications as a bridge into people roles 07:02 The scope and creativity within L&D and development roles 08:27 Portfolio careers and university coaching work 09:24 The rise of in-house coaching in global organisations 10:23 Building coaching capability at scale 11:21 Organisational support for coaching development 12:13 Coaching roles shaped by culture and organisational need 13:10 Business owner versus employed coach pathways 14:04 Part-time roles and blended career models 15:00 Being paid to make a meaningful difference 15:56 How quickly career change can happen through coaching 16:52 Transferable skills from other industries 17:22 First steps to explore coaching opportunities Key Lessons Learned: A coaching career can exist fully inside an organisation without running a business. Coaching qualifications create powerful bridges into people development and L&D roles. Internal coaching is growing as organisations seek performance, wellbeing and retention at scale. Portfolio careers allow a blend of stability, flexibility and independence. Transferable skills from many industries align naturally with coaching. It is possible to reposition your career within one to eighteen months. Being paid to make a meaningful contribution is a valid and achievable goal. Keywords: coaching jobs in organisations, internal coach roles UK, learning and development coaching careers coaching qualification career change, people development roles coaching, portfolio coaching career coaching culture in organisations, executive coaching internal capability, transferable skills into coaching, coaching career pathways, Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

What happens in the coaching space when the body tightens, the breath shortens, and the words become careful because something meaningful is at stake? In this episode of the podcast, we explored what it truly means to coach nervous clients and why nervousness is far more than a surface emotion. From our perspective, nervousness is both physiological and psychological, a temporary state that signals uncertainty, risk, and often the presence of something deeply important to the client. We reflected on how nervousness can show up even in highly capable, articulate, and senior leaders. It may appear as guarded language, rehearsed responses, or subtle somatic cues such as shallow breathing or tension in the shoulders. As coaches, we often sense it before it is ever named. We spoke about how nervousness can magnify automatic behaviours, pushing clients into protection strategies such as intellectualising, closing down emotionally, or striving to perform rather than authentically explore. During our conversation, we noticed how easily a coach's own nervous system can become activated in response. When this happens, there is a risk of rushing, over reassuring, or moving too quickly into goals and action. We reflected on the importance of co regulation, slowing the pace, and allowing the client to arrive fully into the session before asking for depth, vulnerability, or clarity of outcomes. We also shared personal experiences of nervousness within coaching and supervision, recognising how being seen in a new way can create an edge that feels exposing. This led us to discuss how ethical emotional coaching is not about fixing nervousness, but about staying with it, being curious about it, and allowing it to be explored as meaningful information rather than something to remove. A key theme was the power of working somatically and relationally. Grounding, noticing breath, tone of voice, and subtle shifts in the body can create safety and support nervous system regulation. We spoke about gently naming what we observe, such as changes in pace or posture, and using this as an invitation to awareness rather than an interpretation. Finally, we explored nervousness as a coaching topic in its own right. Whether a client is facing a difficult stakeholder, a career transition, or a significant conversation, nervousness can be an entry point into deeper beliefs, values, and identity. By coaching the emotion rather than bypassing it, clients can access a wider emotional range, including steadiness, empowerment, and confidence alongside their nerves. Timestamps: 00:31 Understanding what nervousness looks like in coaching 01:01 Nervousness as a physiological and psychological response 03:45 Default protection strategies and emotional regulation 05:11 How coaches can become dysregulated too 08:21 Slowing down and focusing on the relationship 10:41 Grounding and somatic approaches with nervous clients 12:34 Using gentle observations to build awareness 14:27 Coaching nervousness as the topic, not something to fix 18:12 Emotions as signals that want to move and be understood Key Lessons Learned: Nervousness signals that something meaningful and uncertain is present for the client. A coach's nervous system plays a central role in creating safety and co regulation. Slowing the pace helps clients move from performance into authenticity. Somatic awareness and grounding can support emotional regulation before cognitive exploration. Coaching the emotion itself allows deeper insight than trying to remove or bypass it. Nervousness can coexist with empowerment rather than needing to disappear. Keywords: coaching nervous clients, emotional coaching, nervous system regulation, co regulation in coaching, somatic coaching, confidence coaching, psychological safety, coaching emotions, leadership coaching, executive coaching Links and Resources: Emotions Coaching Practitioner Training: www.igcompany.com/emotionscoaching https://igcompany.co.uk/howto

What happens when a client walks into a session with an issue you did not prepare for, and you have to trust your presence rather than your plan? In this episode of the Podcast, we to explore one of the most real and sometimes unsettling parts of being a coach: not knowing what a client is going to bring, yet being fully responsible for creating a space that can hold it. We reflected on how often coaches ask questions like, how do I coach confidence, fear, conflict, burnout, overwhelm, or decision making. Beneath those questions is usually something deeper. A desire to feel competent. A wish to feel resourced. A fear of being caught out when a client arrives with something emotionally charged, complex, or unfamiliar. What struck us during the conversation is how much of coaching is about unlearning the need for control. In most areas of life, we walk into conversations with a sense of the agenda. Coaching is different. The agenda emerges. The topic may be named, but the real work often sits underneath in emotion, belief, identity, or uncertainty. We talked about how coach training gives us core skills that apply to any topic, yet many coaches still crave practical anchors. Questions, frames, observations, and ways of working that help them feel steady when a client says, I feel overwhelmed, I am stuck in fear, I cannot decide, or I have lost confidence. That is where topic based learning and community become powerful, not as scripts to follow, but as ways to deepen awareness and broaden choice. We shared how, as coaches, we can sometimes narrow in too quickly on the words a client uses, or unconsciously overlay our own relationship with that topic. When a client brings fear, uncertainty, or burnout, it can trigger our own stories and associations. Building familiarity with common coaching themes helps us stay grounded, curious, and spacious rather than reactive or overly cognitive. We also explored the fine balance between holding space and offering structure. There are moments when a client genuinely wants to hear what might be possible. A menu of approaches. A sense of what others have found useful. Knowing when to lean in with suggestions and when to stay with emergence is part of the art of coaching, and it develops with experience, supervision, and reflective practice. One of the deepest reflections for us is that clients rarely bring what they actually need to work on. They bring what they can currently see. The coaching happens in the gap between the stated goal and the hidden pattern, emotion, or belief that is getting in the way. When we deepen our understanding of themes like uncertainty, self trust, overwhelm, decision making, and emotional regulation, we become better at noticing what is present but unspoken. This episode is also an invitation to coaches who want to accelerate their confidence and capability. Through our how to series and accredited CPD, we are creating spaces to explore topics such as beliefs, burnout, confidence, conflict, fear, overwhelm, procrastination, certainty, metaphors, and constellations. Not to provide formulas, but to build presence, perception, and practical range so that whatever walks into the room, you can meet it with calm, clarity, and skill. Coaching is not about mastering topics. It is about mastering yourself in the presence of whatever topic arrives. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and why coaches ask how do I coach specific topics 02:20 The unpredictability of coaching and letting go of control 04:30 Building confidence through topic familiarity and CPD 06:40 Balancing suggestion with client led focus 08:10 Fear, uncertainty, and staying resourced as a coach 10:05 Deep dive into coaching uncertainty and emotional states 12:00 Clients bring goals, but the work is often underneath 14:00 The art of observation and naming what is emerging 15:00 CPD programme and community invitation Key Lessons Learned: Coaching competence grows when we trust the core skills rather than seeking topic specific formulas Clients rarely name the real issue at the start of a session Emotional states such as fear, overwhelm, and uncertainty often drive the presenting topic Supervision, community, and shared learning accelerate a coach's confidence and pattern recognition The balance between presence and practical structure is a developmental edge for every coach Observations offered with care can reveal what clients cannot yet see for themselves Keywords: How to coach confidence, coaching uncertainty, emotional coaching, coaching overwhelm, coaching fear, coaching decision making, coach development, coaching presence, coaching supervision, coaching CPD, leadership coaching, self trust in coaching Links and Resources: https://www.igcompany.com/howto

What if the thought of training as a coach has been sitting with you for years for a reason you have not yet fully acknowledged? As the new year begins, we slow the conversation down and ask a bigger question than whether coach training is a good idea. We explore whether 2026 is the year you finally make a clear decision either to step forward or to consciously let the idea go. In this episode, we reflect on why coach training often stays on people's mental to do lists for far longer than expected. For many, it is not about gaining a qualification. It is about meaning, connection, identity, and the desire to do work that feels more aligned with personal values. We talk openly about the emotional and practical drivers behind the decision to train as a coach, including career pivots, leadership development, self-awareness, and the longing for deeper conversations at work and in life. We also address what can quietly hold people back. Waiting to feel ready. Decision paralysis when comparing training providers. The pressure to have a fully formed plan before taking the first step. We share why readiness is rarely something you feel before you act and how clarity often follows commitment rather than precedes it. Drawing on our own experiences, we reflect on how coach training develops far more than coaching skills. It builds emotional intelligence, confidence, boundaries, ethical practice, and the ability to work with human complexity in a grounded and responsible way. We discuss what coach training really involves and why discomfort and growth are part of the process rather than signs you are doing it wrong. We also offer a balanced perspective on when coach training may not be the right choice. If you are seeking a quick financial fix, external validation, or if working with emotion actively drains you, this may not be the right investment at this stage of your life. Equally, we share why coaching continues to grow in relevance as human centred skills become more valuable in a world shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid change. Throughout the conversation, we come back to a simple decision framework. Does it make sense in your head? Does it feel meaningful in your heart? Is there space in your calendar to make it work? When those three align, 2026 may well be the year you move forward. This episode is an invitation to stop circling the same question and to make a conscious choice that frees up energy, whether that choice is to train as a coach or to redirect your focus elsewhere with confidence. Timestamps: 00:00 Why this question keeps returning year after year 01:21 Understanding the deeper needs behind coach training 03:09 Common reasons people feel drawn to coaching 04:03 What coach training actually involves 05:24 The myth of waiting until you feel ready 06:22 Choosing a training provider without paralysis 07:42 Questions to ask before committing to a programme 08:55 When coach training may not be the right choice 09:49 Sampling coaching before making a decision 12:37 Career strategy, confidence, and professional identity 14:26 How coach training can change your direction 15:49 Human skills in an AI driven world 18:32 A simple framework for making the decision 20:17 Taking action rather than waiting Key Lessons Learned: Coach training is rarely about the certificate and more about meaning, identity, and growth Waiting to feel ready often delays clarity rather than creating it Decision making improves when you listen to both head and heart Coach training develops emotional intelligence, boundaries, and self-awareness You do not need a full plan for how coaching will fit into your future to begin Conscious decisions free up mental and emotional capacity Human centred skills are becoming more valuable, not less Links and Resources: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com https://www.igcompany.com Keywords: coach training, train as a coach, coaching career, coaching skills, becoming a coach, leadership coaching, personal development, emotional intelligence, career change coaching,

What does a year of growth really look like when you step away from the highlight reel and tell the truth? As we reach the end of 2025, we wanted to pause and pull back the curtain on what this year has genuinely been like for us behind the scenes. This episode is an honest, reflective conversation about the reality of running a values led coaching business through a year of challenge, change, and deep learning. We talk openly about the tension between what people often see from the outside and what it has actually felt like to be inside the business. This year has asked a lot of us. There have been moments of momentum and celebration alongside periods of complexity, uncertainty, and sustained effort that few people ever witness. We reflect on how a trip to Dubai at the start of the year became a catalyst for significant shifts in our thinking. Stepping into a different environment gave us the space to see long standing business bottlenecks with fresh eyes. What had felt heavy and immovable suddenly became solvable. That experience reshaped how we approached systems, automation, and the role technology plays in supporting rather than draining a coaching business. We share what it took to bring our Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching programme to life, both in its full facilitated form and later through the Essentials offering. These programmes hold enormous meaning for us, not only because of their impact on coaches and clients, but because of the care, collaboration, and emotional labour involved in creating them well. This year reminded us why programme creation is so demanding and why integrity in delivery matters deeply to us. Much of 2025 has been about strengthening the foundations of the business. We talk about the unglamorous but essential work of refining processes, documenting systems, onboarding team members, and rebuilding parts of the business from the ground up to support scale. This included changing payment systems, migrating our website from co.uk to com, securing trademarks, and rethinking how we structure qualifications and CPD. Alongside all of this, there has been personal growth. We reflect on stepping back into facilitation, reconnecting with learners, and the fulfilment that comes from being closer to the heart of the work. We also share how this year has prompted bigger questions about brand identity, marketing, and how we want to be known as a global coaching organisation. This episode is an invitation to reflect on your own year with honesty and compassion. Whether you are running a coaching business, leading in an organisation, or navigating change, we hope our reflections offer reassurance, perspective, and a reminder that progress is often quieter and messier than it appears. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and why we reflect at the end of each year 01:24 Why 2025 felt challenging as well as successful 01:54 The Dubai trip that changed how we saw our business 02:53 Gaining fresh perspective on systems and processes 05:17 Launching our Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching programme 06:42 Creating accessible pathways through Essentials 08:04 Rebuilding systems and standard operating procedures 09:52 Moving from co.uk to com and what it represented 11:48 Returning to facilitation and reconnecting with learners 14:32 Securing trademarks and protecting the brand 15:29 Refreshing our ILM Level 3 coaching qualification 16:55 Corporate partnerships and ripple effects of coaching 18:22 Scaling responsibly and supporting hundreds of learners 21:29 Looking ahead to 2026 with clarity and optimism Key Lessons Learned: Stepping away from the day to day can unlock solutions that feel impossible when you stay too close Strong systems are not restrictive, they create freedom and sustainability Inclusive programme design requires time, care, and collaboration Scaling a coaching business often means rebuilding rather than adding on Reconnecting with clients and learners keeps the heart of the work alive Brand decisions are as emotional as they are strategic Continuous improvement is demanding but deeply worthwhile Links and Resources: https://www.igcompany.com/ilmcall https://www.mycoachingcourse.com Keywords: coaching business growth, behind the scenes coaching, neurodivergent inclusive coaching, coaching qualifications UK, coaching CPD programmes, emotional coaching practice, coaching business systems, coach training programmes, coaching leadership development, The Coaching Crowd podcast,

What happens when coaches slow down, listen deeply, and answer the questions they are rarely asked out loud? This episode felt different from the outset. This week we sat down without scripts, without rehearsed answers, and without certainty about where the conversation would land. What we had instead was trust. Trust in the coaching process, trust in each other, and trust in the questions our listeners brought to us. We invited our listeners to share the coaching questions they find themselves holding, whether that is something they wrestle with in sessions, reflect on in supervision, or wonder about quietly in their own practice. What came back was a rich mix of practical dilemmas, reflective prompts, and deeply human concerns about confidence, emotional boundaries, challenge, and connection. As we read each question aloud, we answered in real time. That meant responding from lived experience rather than polished theory. At points we noticed ourselves pausing, reflecting, and even sitting with uncertainty. That felt important. Coaching does not always offer clean answers, and this episode honours that reality. We explored what it means to interrupt a client with care, how to think about failure when it does not feel like the real blocker, and what to do when a client triggers discomfort or resistance in us as coaches. We also talked honestly about homework in coaching, emotional load, negativity, and the blurred edges between coaching and everyday relationships with family. What stayed with us after recording, was a sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the honesty of our listeners, for the depth of the coaching profession, and for the privilege of being trusted with these kinds of questions. This episode is less about expertise and more about presence, reflection, and shared learning. Listener Questions and Reflections How do you catch a client who talks incessantly and keeps going over old ground without feeling disrespectful We reflected on the power of contracting at the start of sessions and being intentional with opening questions. Clear focus, permission to interrupt, and shared agreement on how to work together can transform this dynamic. we were particularly struck by the invitation to explore our own beliefs about interruption and respect, and how supervision can help unpack what feels uncomfortable for us as coaches. What would you do if you could not fail This question opened a deeper exploration of fear, risk, and attachment to outcomes. Neither of us felt that failure itself was the real barrier. Instead, we reflected on decision-making, tolerance for uncertainty, and how detachment from outcomes can create freedom and momentum. What do you do if you do not like a client Rather than seeing this as a problem, we framed it as data. Strong reactions are information. They invite curiosity, supervision, and self-reflection. Often, the clients who challenge us the most offer the richest learning and some of our most impactful coaching. Is homework essential for progress in coaching Our shared view was clear. Homework is not essential and should never be imposed. Progress comes from what the client chooses to take forward. Suggestions can be offered with care and consent, but the relationship must remain adult to adult, not expert to student. How can coaches hold space without taking on emotional load This question led us into beliefs about emotions, responsibility, and energy. We talked about preparation, grounding practices, and trusting that clients are capable of holding their own emotional experience. Sustainable coaching starts with how we relate to emotions, including our own. Is coaching friends and family ever a challenge We shared honest reflections about boundaries, self-awareness, and knowing when to step out of the coaching role. Coaching training changes how we see the world, but discernment matters. Not every moment calls for a coaching response. How do you coach someone who always returns to negativity We emphasised the importance of contracting for challenge and being honest about usefulness. Coaching is not about forcing change. Sometimes the most ethical choice is to question whether the coaching relationship remains the right support. Are there clients who stay with you the most Rather than naming one individual, we spoke about groups of clients who shape us at different stages of our development. What stayed with us was the sense of privilege in being invited into someone's inner world and witnessing their growth over time. What keeps you awake at night This question brought humour, honesty, and insight. From ideas and inspiration to family life and physical rhythms, it was a reminder that coaches are human first, reflective second, and professional always. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and episode context 01:00 Coaching a client who talks incessantly 06:45 What would you do if you could not fail 11:36 What if you do not like a client 14:20 Is homework essential in coaching 18:30 Holding space without taking on emotional load 22:36 Coaching in everyday family conversations 28:04 Coaching clients who focus on negativity 30:33 Clients who stay with you the most 33:46 What keeps you awake at night 37:25 Closing reflections and invitation to listeners Keywords: coaching questions, coaching confidence, emotional coaching, holding space in coaching, coaching supervision, coach client relationship, coaching boundaries, coaching reflection, coaching challenges professional coaching practice, Links and Resources: www.igcompany.com/ilmcall www.mycoachingcourse.com

Have you ever reached a point where burnout reshaped your sense of who you are and what you want next in life? In this episode, we explore the tender, transformative journey that so many people move through when they decide to train as a coach after experiencing burnout. This conversation matters because burnout rarely leaves life untouched. It rewires priorities, reframes identity, and forces us to acknowledge that our wellbeing is the most important asset we have. Throughout the discussion, we reflect on why individuals arrive at coach training following burnout and what they discover about themselves in the process. We talk about the shift from depletion to purpose, the desire to reconnect with meaning, and the way burnout creates fertile ground for growth once we begin to resource ourselves again. We acknowledge how disorientating burnout can be. It can feel frightening and destabilising, yet it can also illuminate our non-negotiables and reveal the parts of life that need to change. As we explore this, we share how coaching becomes a powerful pathway towards rebuilding confidence, rediscovering identity, and reconnecting with values. We dive into the emotional experience behind this choice. Many people arrive having encountered support through counselling, therapy, mentoring or coaching, realising that they want to help others in the same way they have been supported. Others arrive because their old world no longer fits who they have become. They do not return to their pre burnout life because it no longer feels like home. Coaching offers a forward focused space where they can shape what comes next. Throughout the episode, we reflect on the deep sense of safety and acceptance within the coaching community. We talk about how shame often accompanies burnout and how that shame is released when individuals step into an environment where life experience is valued rather than judged. We explore how coaching training becomes a healing process. Not always intentionally so, but in practice it reconnects people with the belief that they are enough. It helps them see themselves with compassion rather than criticism. It builds emotional honesty, self-awareness, and a renewed sense of possibility. We also reflect on how passion and purpose must be channelled with awareness. Burnout can occur in work that is deeply meaningful as well as work that is unfulfilling. Coaching training helps individuals see where their needs are not being met, where boundaries must shift, and how systemic pressures may be influencing their wellbeing. This episode is an invitation to anyone who has experienced burnout to consider how that experience might become a catalyst for growth. Coaching training can be the place where confidence is rebuilt, identity is reclaimed, and a new sense of purpose emerges. Timestamps: 00.00 Welcome and introduction 00.28 Why burnout leads people towards coach training 00.56 How burnout reshapes identity 01.48 Rebuilding confidence and recognising personal needs 03.45 Entering the fertile ground of growth after burnout 04.14 When returning to old roles no longer feels aligned 05.11 Developing the belief that we are enough 06.13 Releasing shame and finding acceptance in coaching communities 07.32 Understanding mindset, values and beliefs during coach training 08.56 The courage required to share personal experiences 10.21 Recognising burnout risks and unmet needs 11.18 Monitoring wellbeing and understanding control 12.39 Increasing self awareness through coaching skills 14.36 The emotional honesty coaching encourages 15.05 Recognising burnout in clients and systemic pressures 17.00 Why people seek the source of coaching skills 17.58 Channelling ambition into something healthy 19.22 Feeling busy without becoming depleted 20.20 Creating a sustainable coaching life 20.49 Coaching as an oasis after burnout 21.18 How to explore coach training Key Lessons Learned: Burnout often becomes a catalyst for reassessing identity, values and life direction. Coaching training provides a safe, accepting environment where individuals can release shame and rebuild confidence. The coaching journey is as healing as it is educational, helping people reconnect with the belief that they are enough. Passion driven individuals are at risk of burnout, and coaching skills help them understand and manage their needs. Coaching offers a future focused path that helps people move forward when returning to old roles no longer feels possible. Self awareness, emotional honesty and compassion are key outcomes of coach training after burnout. Life experience becomes a powerful asset within the coaching profession, not a limitation. Keywords: training to be a coach, coaching after burnout, burnout recovery, coach training journey, emotional wellbeing, values led coaching, identity after burnout, confidence building, self-awareness coaching, healing through coaching Links and Resources: www.igcompany.com/ilmcall www.mycoachingcourse.com

Have you ever wondered whether coaching is something you do or something you are? In this episode, we dive into a powerful identity-based question that often emerges when people consider a future in coaching: is coaching fundamentally a skillset, or is it an expression of who we are at our core? We explore how coaching can be seen as an external activity, a profession where we learn models, techniques and structures to support people with their goals. Coaching becomes the thing we do to make a living, with our craft built through continuous learning and development. At the same time, coaching can also be deeply rooted in how we naturally move through the world. When curiosity, deep listening and a desire to understand others feel instinctive, coaching may feel like an extension of our identity rather than a role to step into. We reflect on our own journey, where coaching felt like who we were before it became what we did. We share that, learning the skills came first, which then enabled us to identity as a coach to grow. We've seen so many coaches discover coaching in both directions, and neither path is more valid or successful than the other. We also discuss the reality that coaching evolves over time. As our coaching maturity develops, our presence deepens. The identity a coach holds today will not be the same identity they hold in ten years. Coaching can grow with us as our practice and confidence expand. And crucially, coaches are human beings first. There can be pressure when we over-identify with the coach role. We talk openly about releasing the expectation to embody our coach persona in every moment of life, especially when parenting, navigating stress, or juggling the many facets of running a business. This episode is an invitation to reflect, stretch your thinking, and recognise that both identity and action shape what it means to coach. You don't need a definitive answer. Sometimes the power lies in the exploration itself. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why we're asking: is coaching who you are or what you do? 00:53 – Defining coaching as a skillset and profession 02:24 – Coaching as identity and a way of being 03:46 – How coaches find their path into coaching 05:12 – Innate qualities vs trained skills 07:03 – Coaching styles, diversity and inclusivity 09:16 – Presence and how it shapes our experience of coaching 10:11 – Over-identifying with the coach identity 12:26 – The energy and consciousness behind coaching 15:21 – Who gets to define what coaching is? 17:16 – Evolution of coaching practice and competencies 18:41 – Final reflections and invitation to explore coaching further Key Lessons Learned: Coaching can be both a role we perform and a core part of who we are Skill development and personal identity evolve together in coaching practice No single pathway into coaching is more valid than another Over-identification with being a coach can limit our humanity Coaching continues to change and modernise as the profession matures Presence requires energy, awareness and skill, it is not a constant state The freedom to define your style is one of the greatest strengths of coaching Keywords: coaching identity, coaching skills, what is coaching, coaching profession, coach development, becoming a coach, coaching mindset, deep listening, coaching journey, coaching presence, Links & Resources: www.igcompany.com/ilmcall www.igcompany.com