Coaching – Cultivating Trust and Safety <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the greatest gifts we can give and receive is to be heard, seen and loved. This is not something that happens immediately in any partnership. It takes time, it takes action and it takes experiencing each other in the same way consistently over a period of time. This is what enables us to build trust and feel safe with each other. If we are erratic in how we show up, it makes it very difficult to be trusted, hence consistency is an important part of building trust with one another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By definition from ICF : Cultivates Trust and Safety is “Partners with the client to create safe, supportive environment that allows the client to share freely. Maintains a relationship of mutual respect and<\/em> trust<\/em>.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n The partnership between a Coach and Coachee requires connection and trust for the partnership to flourish in a way that is healthy for both. The session ignited the importance of our own “why”. Why did we choose Catalyst Coach as our training provider. It was very clear from everyone that our choice was based on trust that was built and the credibility of the company. It fosters a safe learning space for our own individual growth. We are all welcomed as we are as equals in the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a Coach, we need to trust that our Coachee is the most knowledgeable about themselves. We are there to create a trusting safe environment for them to explore they own abilities to come up with a pathway to untangle their challenges or uncertainty about a current active situation. In order to achieve this we also need to be confident about our own abilities as a Coach. This often meant tapping into our own intuition and skills, exploring curious questions that will take the conversations deeper, without any judgement. This also means knowing when to pause and allow our Coachee time for their own independent thinking and reflection. The planning and preparation also plays an important role in building a safe a trusting environment. It is about trusting the Coaching process, reflecting on the each coaching session and the engagement that made it impactful for the Coachee. These also support accountability for the Coachee on their own “work” and what that might be when they return for the next coaching session. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Sub points for this competency are : <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeks to understand the client within their context which may include their identity, environment, experience, values and beliefs. As a Coach we serve to our Coachee’s context. We need to understand who our client is and where they come from, their socio economic background and what are their non negotiables around beliefs and values. This shows a great deal of respect and consideration for the Coachee which supports us building trust with them. It can be as simple as acknowledging that between a certain time of day they are in prayer and we cannot book coaching sessions during that time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Demonstrates respect for the client’s identity, perceptions, style and language and adapts one’s coaching to the client. This can only happen when we do not Judge our client. Not Judging our Coachee is fundamental towards building trust and safety. It is about meeting the client where they are at the current time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Acknowledges and respects the clients unique talents, insights and work in the coaching process. Sometimes this is as simple as just mirroring back to the Coachee his\/her own words. This is a beautiful Coaching process to playback their own words to them. “Listen for the person behind the words” A great reflective thought from Coach Colin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shows support, empathy and concern for the client. We are all human, when we show up authentically to our Coachee’s, they are also able to do the same. Allowing our Coachee’s to also know that we are Mother’s, fathers, sons or daughters allows the Coachee to see that we are also human. This subpoint also gives the opportunity to allow for emotions from our Coachee and acknowledging their feelings and emotions that are relevant at the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Acknowledges and supports the clients expression of feelings, perceptions, concerns, beliefs and suggestion. This is something we learn more and more every day as Coaches. It was also great for me to experience it during our recent practicum. When I realized that the Coachee was starting to feel uneasy, I could have stayed with that feeling and become more curious about what was happening for the Coachee at that time, instead of prompting to go deeper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Demonstrates openness and transparency as a way to display vulnerability and build trust with the client. This is about trusting our own intuition as Coaches, creating a space that allows vulnerability for the Coachee, it really links into us being comfortable with ourselves and our own flaws. When I reflect back on the session, it shows us how every competency is connected and it is in the repetition of Being within these competencies that allow us to grow our skills as Coaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Coaching – Cultivating Trust and Safety One of the greatest gifts we can give and receive is to be heard, seen and loved. This is not something that happens immediately in any partnership. It takes time, it takes action and it takes experiencing each other in the same way consistently over a period of time.<\/p>\n