The Coaching Crowd® Podcast with Jo Wheatley & Zoe Hawkins

What if finding your purpose is less about discovering one perfect career and more about understanding what makes you feel alive? People often come to coaching at a crossroads. From the outside, life may look successful: a career is progressing, responsibilities are being met, and there is no obvious reason to change course. Yet there can be a persistent feeling that something is missing. In this episode, we explore why that feeling deserves attention and how coaching can help us make sense of it. Our own experiences gave us two ways to look at purpose. For Jo, coaching became deeply connected to the contribution she wanted to make. For Zoe, coaching is an expression of a broader purpose: being part of a journey that helps someone feel more fulfilled. That distinction matters. If purpose can take more than one form, we do not have to put pressure on ourselves to find the single job that will make everything fall into place. We talk about the clues that can help when the answer is unclear. When do we feel most like ourselves? What kind of contribution matters to us? Who do we most enjoy working with, and where in their journey do we want to help? Zoe reflects on exploring other people-focused careers before finding that coaching offered the kind of conversations and relationships she was looking for. We also reflect on how our needs change through different stages of life. Work that once felt fulfilling may no longer fit around family, freedom or the person we are becoming. That does not make the years we spent doing it a mistake. Those experiences can help us recognise our strengths, values and priorities more clearly. For some people, coach training leads to a new career. For others, it changes how they lead, volunteer, parent or relate to the people around them. Finding meaningful work does not mean finding work that is always easy. Building our coaching business brought uncertainty alongside the conversations and contribution we loved. Perhaps a more useful question than "What would make me happy all the time?" is "What matters enough to me that I am willing to work through the difficult parts?" If you are considering a career change, exploring coach training or wondering what purpose means for you, we hope this conversation gives you space to notice what already matters. You may find that coaching is your next step, or that it helps you see another path more clearly. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and finding your purpose through coaching 00:37 Why career crossroads raise questions about purpose 02:24 When success on paper does not feel meaningful 04:53 Coaching as an expression of purpose 07:30 The many ways we can make a difference 08:50 Finding the people and work that fit 10:32 Meaning, independence and building something of your own 12:07 How purpose takes different forms through life 16:09 Why coach training does not require a career change 18:32 Training as a bridge to different possibilities 20:51 Why purposeful work can still be difficult 23:09 Exploring your own next chapter Key Lessons Learned: Purpose does not have to point to one perfect job. It can be expressed through different kinds of work and relationships. A career crossroads can be a sign that your needs and priorities have evolved. The work that makes you feel most alive offers clues about the contribution you want to make. Understanding who you want to help can be as useful as deciding how you want to help. Coach training can support self-discovery even if you do not plan to become an independent coach. Skills learned through coaching can shape leadership, volunteering, parenting and everyday conversations. Meaningful work may involve risk, uncertainty and discomfort. Those challenges do not make it less meaningful. Keywords: Finding your purpose, purpose through coaching, coach training, career change, meaningful work, career crossroads, becoming a coach, coaching skills, personal fulfilment,   Links & Resources https://igcompany.com/

Who supports the coach when a client conversation stays with them long after the session has ended? In this episode, we explore why every coach needs supervision and why it is far more than a professional requirement. Every coaching conversation brings together different histories, identities, beliefs and emotional experiences. As coaches, we carry our own stories into the room too. Supervision gives us a confidential reflective space to explore what may be influencing our work, particularly when a client interaction leaves us feeling stuck, uncertain or unable to stop thinking about the conversation. We also reflect on the isolation that can exist within coaching. Confidentiality means that few people witness our client conversations, making it easy to carry questions or concerns alone. Coaching supervision provides a professional support structure where we can think clearly, protect our wellbeing and continue to serve our clients effectively. It helps us recognise patterns, explore blind spots and close some of the mental tabs that might otherwise remain open. At the heart of the episode are the three purposes of supervision: normative, formative and restorative. Normative supervision supports safe and ethical practice, helping us navigate complex situations without expecting someone else to make the decision for us. Formative supervision develops our confidence, flexibility and reflective practice beyond our initial training. Restorative supervision helps us process the emotional demands of coaching, separate our experiences from those of our clients and resist the urge to rescue, fix or take responsibility for their outcomes. Ultimately, supervision helps us become less reactive, more patient and more comfortable with uncertainty. It can strengthen our ethical awareness, deepen our reflective practice and give us greater courage to challenge, experiment and trust the coaching process. Supervision is not surveillance or a judgement on our capability. It is an essential professional space that supports the wellbeing of the coach, protects the quality of the work and helps us become the thoughtful, ethical and responsive coaches our clients deserve. Timestamps: 00:01 Welcome and why every coach needs supervision 00:58 Professional expectations and accreditation 01:44 Blind spots, emotional reactions and open mental tabs 03:55 Helping fatigue and coach wellbeing 05:18 The three purposes of coaching supervision 05:35 Normative supervision and ethical practice 07:08 When an ethical dilemma becomes high stakes 09:30 Formative supervision and coach development 11:15 Why better-supported coaches serve clients better 12:45 Reflective practice as a core coaching skill 13:31 Restorative supervision and emotional demands 14:59 Responsibility, rescuing and the urge to fix 16:53 How supervision changes coaching practice 19:41 Supervision is not surveillance 20:10 Invitation to supervision training   Key Lessons Learned: Supervision is a core professional support structure, not a judgement on whether a coach is capable. Strong reactions, recurring thoughts and feelings of being stuck can be useful signals that deserve reflective attention. Normative supervision helps coaches navigate ethical complexity, safeguarding, confidentiality and conflicts of interest without expecting a supervisor to provide a simple answer. Formative supervision supports continuing professional development, helping coaches move from reliance on models towards a more fluent and flexible coaching approach. Reflective practice strengthens every other coaching skill by helping us notice what is happening within the coach, the client, the relationship and the wider system. Restorative supervision helps prevent helping fatigue by giving coaches somewhere to process the emotional weight of client work. The desire to help can become an urge to fix, rescue or take responsibility for a client's outcomes. Supervision helps us recognise and release that pattern. Well-supported coaches are often less reactive, more patient, more courageous and more comfortable with uncertainty. Looking after ourselves as coaches directly supports client safety, the quality of the coaching relationship and the sustainability of our practice. Keywords: coaching supervision; why coaches need supervision; coach supervisor; reflective practice for coaches; ethical coaching practice; coach wellbeing; coaching CPD; normative formative restorative supervision; professional coaching development; coaching ethics; accredited coach supervision; helping fatigue in coaching; supervision training for coaches, Links and Resources International Group for Coaching, Supervision Training: https://igcompany.com/supervisiontraining EMCC Global: https://emccglobal.org/ Association for Coaching: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/ International Coaching Federation: https://coachingfederation.org/ Global Code of Ethics: https://www.globalcodeofethics.org/

What changes when the person sitting in front of you is not a coachee, but another coach? In this episode, we explore the difference between coaching and coaching supervision. Although the two practices share many skills, the purpose, focus and dynamics of each relationship are distinct. Coaching usually supports a client to move towards a goal or desired outcome, while coaching supervision turns the attention towards the coach and the quality of their practice. As supervisors, we create a reflective space in which coaches can examine how they are working, what may be influencing them and what could help them practise more effectively, ethically and sustainably. Supervision can therefore feel more exploratory than coaching, allowing us to remain curious about what is emerging rather than moving immediately towards a solution. We discuss how supervision can help coaches look beneath the questions they initially bring. A request for reassurance about whether a session was handled correctly might become an exploration of why that reassurance is needed. Through reflection, the coach can develop greater self-awareness, strengthen their professional judgement and find confidence from within. We also explore the expanded field of coaching supervision. Coaches bring their own identity, history and professional context, alongside the influence of their clients and the wider systems surrounding them. The supervisor's observations and responses also become part of the work. Holding this complexity requires an awareness of relationships, professional ethics, safeguarding, competence and the sustainability of coaching practice. Although coaching and supervision remain distinct, learning to become a coaching supervisor can deepen how we coach. It develops our ability to notice patterns, relational dynamics and what may be communicated beyond words. For experienced coaches, supervision offers an opportunity to develop their practice, support other coaches and contribute to the future of the coaching profession. Timestamps: 00:00 The difference between coaching and supervision 00:29 Why coaching supervision matters 00:56 Becoming a coaching supervisor 01:25 The ethical commitment of a coach 01:55 Client goals and coach development 03:18 Why supervision is more exploratory 04:11 Looking beneath a request for reassurance 05:04 The distinctive focus of supervision 06:01 Understanding the expanded field 07:26 Ethics and professional responsibility 08:20 The systems surrounding coaches and clients 09:38 The supervisor as an instrument 11:30 Supporting reflective practitioners 12:52 Experience and the pedestal dynamic 14:12 Relationships and group supervision 15:57 How supervision develops your coaching 16:55 Visibility and professional identity 17:54 Power dynamics for internal coaches 19:49 Competence, ethics and sustainability 20:19 Discovery rather than destination 21:43 Developing as a coaching supervisor 22:11 Diploma in Coaching Supervision Key Lessons Learned: Coaching usually supports a client to move towards a goal, outcome or desired change. Coaching supervision focuses on how the coach is practising and what will help them work ethically, effectively and sustainably. Supervision creates space to explore uncertainty without immediately searching for a solution. A request for reassurance may reveal a deeper opportunity for reflection and professional development. The supervisory field includes the coach, their clients, the systems surrounding those clients and the supervisor's own observations. Coaching supervisors help coaches reflect on safeguarding, professional ethics, competence and their responsibility to clients. A supervisor can bring significant coaching experience without becoming the person expected to provide every answer. Group coaching supervision requires awareness of several relationships, client systems and interpersonal dynamics at the same time. Training as a coaching supervisor can deepen a coach's ability to recognise patterns and relational dynamics. Coaching and supervision may explore similar topics, but supervision views them through the lenses of professional identity, ethics, competence and sustainability. Keywords: difference between coaching and coaching supervision, coaching supervision, what is coaching supervision, coaching versus supervision, coaching supervisor, coaching supervision training, reflective coaching practice, ethical coaching practice, professional development for coaches, coach supervision, group coaching supervision, coaching ethics, Diploma in Coaching Supervision, becoming a coaching supervisor, sustainable coaching practice, Links and Resources: Diploma in Coaching Supervision: https://www.igcompany.com/supervisiontraining In Good Company: https://www.igcompany.com

Who supports the coach when they are holding complexity, navigating ethical questions and helping other people create meaningful change? In this episode, we explore a significant development for the coaching profession: the introduction of the International Coaching Federation's Coaching Supervisor Specialization, known as the CSS. Coaching can ask a great deal of us. We hold complex client experiences, make ethical decisions and remain present through uncertainty. Coaching supervision creates a confidential and reflective space where coaches can examine their work, protect their wellbeing and continue developing their professional practice. Until now, the ICF has placed greater emphasis on mentor coaching, which focuses primarily on coaching skills and the ICF Core Competencies. Coaching supervision has been more firmly established within organisations such as the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and the Association for Coaching. The new ICF Coaching Supervisor Specialization signals a major shift, bringing supervision closer to the centre of ethical coaching practice and establishing clearer global standards. We discuss how supervision differs from mentor coaching and why both can play an important role in coach development. Supervision reaches beyond technical competence. It provides space to explore ethical challenges, client relationships, emotional responses, professional boundaries and the coach's own wellbeing. For us, this is one of the most important aspects of the announcement. Coaches continually give their attention and energy to others, and supervision can help make that work sustainable. The CSS also creates a valuable opportunity for experienced coaches who are considering becoming coaching supervisors. ICF requirements include holding a PCC or MCC credential, completing at least 41 hours of coaching supervision training, with at least 50% delivered synchronously, and undertaking education aligned with the ICF Coaching Supervision Competencies. The forthcoming ICF Coaching Supervisor Registry is also expected to give qualified supervisors greater visibility while helping coaches identify people who meet recognised professional standards. We reflect on what this development means for the wider coaching industry. When professional bodies move towards a shared understanding of supervision, they send a clearer message about ethical practice, reflective learning and professional accountability. The CSS is not simply another badge. It represents a growing recognition that good coaches need structured support too. Finally, we share the story behind our Diploma in Coaching Supervision. The programme grew from our own desire to deepen our practice, challenge ourselves and explore the next expression of who we wanted to become as coaches. It is designed for experienced practitioners who want to develop the skills, maturity and confidence required to supervise other coaches while continuing their own personal and professional evolution. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the ICF supervision development 00:28 Why coaches need professional support 00:58 Introducing the Coaching Supervisor Specialization 01:55 The opportunity for experienced coaches 02:25 Why this matters to the coaching profession 04:15 Supervision and ICF credential renewal 05:34 The supervisor registry and ACTC requirements 06:31 Coaching supervision competency frameworks 07:20 Supervision, ethics and coach wellbeing 08:40 Choosing a qualified coaching supervisor 09:39 CSS eligibility and training requirements 10:28 What supervision training needs to cover 11:42 Introducing our Coaching Supervision Diploma 12:36 How the programme began 13:26 Professional evolution and the future of coaching 14:23 How to find out more Key Lessons Learned: Coaching supervision supports ethical decision making, reflective practice, professional development and coach wellbeing. Mentor coaching and coaching supervision have different purposes, although both can contribute to a coach's development. The ICF Coaching Supervisor Specialization creates a clearer global benchmark for coaching supervision. Qualified coaching supervisors are likely to become more visible through the forthcoming ICF Coaching Supervisor Registry. Experienced coaches can use supervision training to deepen their practice and develop an additional professional service. Professional credentials help coaches make more informed decisions when choosing a supervisor. Supervision can reduce professional isolation and help coaches manage the emotional and relational complexity of client work. The increasing alignment between the ICF, EMCC and Association for Coaching strengthens the profession's focus on quality and ethics. Coaching supervision training is not solely about acquiring techniques. It can reshape how a coach understands themselves, their clients and their practice. Keywords: Coaching supervision, coaching supervisor training, ICF Coaching Supervisor Specialization, ICF CSS, coaching supervision course, Coaching Supervision Diploma, become a coaching supervisor, professional coach development, reflective coaching practice, ethical coaching practice, coaching supervisor accreditation, ICF coaching supervision competencies, mentor coaching versus supervision, coaching supervision for coaches, coach wellbeing, advanced coaching skills. Links and Resources Diploma in Coaching Supervision In Good Company ICF Coaching Supervisor Specialization ICF Coaching Supervision

What does becoming a master-level coach actually involve, and is the gap between where you are today and coaching mastery as large as it can sometimes feel? In this episode, we explore the journey towards master-level coaching and why accreditation is about far more than accumulating coaching hours. Whether you are an experienced coach considering your next accreditation or at the beginning of your coaching journey, understanding the pathway early can help you make intentional decisions about your professional development. We explore three important areas that contribute to coaching mastery: professional maturity, reflective practice and contribution to the profession. Contribution can take many forms, including volunteering with professional bodies, sharing learning, publishing, research, supervision, participating in professional groups or creating resources that help other coaches. The important distinction is that genuine contribution extends beyond promoting our individual coaching businesses and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to strengthening the wider profession. Professional maturity is also about far more than time served. Different accrediting bodies have different requirements around experience, coaching hours and training, but mastery also involves developing a distinctive professional identity, learning to work with complexity, navigating ethical dilemmas and integrating our learning so that we are no longer dependent on individual coaching models. Our CPD choices gradually tell the story of who we are becoming as coaches and the areas in which we are choosing to deepen our practice. Finally, we look at reflective practice and the value of building strong habits long before an accreditation application is due. Coaching logs, reflective diaries, supervision and peer reflection all help us understand how our practice is evolving. We also encourage coaches who aspire to mastery to spend time with master-level practitioners. The differences between coaching levels can be subtle yet significant, and the journey becomes far less intimidating when we see mastery not as an unreachable destination, but as the cumulative result of thoughtful development, reflection, experience and contribution over time. Timestamps 00:09 What does master-level coaching mean? 00:48 Three elements of the pathway to mastery 02:46 Why contribution to the profession should start early 03:56 Different ways coaches can contribute 05:35 Contribution versus promotion 07:23 Coaching supervision as professional contribution 09:00 How supervision can open new opportunities 09:58 Publishing, volunteering and professional bodies 12:00 Planning for mastery before you need accreditation 13:15 Different accreditation requirements 13:42 Developing a distinctive professional identity 15:01 Ethical maturity and experience 16:31 CPD and the story of your coaching development 18:26 Consistency and reflective practice 19:32 Keeping coaching logs and recorded reflections 21:33 Supervision and advanced coach development 22:11 Final reflections and resources Key Lessons Learned Master-level coaching is not purely about accumulating coaching hours. Professional maturity, reflective practice and contribution to the profession are all important parts of the journey. Coaches benefit from understanding the requirements of their chosen accrediting body well before they are ready to apply. Contribution to the profession should be genuine, sustained and broader than marketing an individual coaching business. Volunteering, publishing, research, professional groups and supervision can all provide ways to contribute. Coaching supervision can deepen reflective practice while also creating opportunities to support the development of other coaches. Professional maturity includes developing a distinctive coaching identity and becoming increasingly comfortable working with complexity. Ethical maturity develops through experience, reflection and navigating challenging situations. CPD is more powerful when it shows consistent curiosity and development over time rather than becoming a last-minute accreditation exercise. Regular coaching logs and reflective records make future accreditation considerably easier. Spending time with master-level coaches can make the pathway feel more tangible and achievable. Accreditation Note The episode discusses examples of requirements from professional coaching bodies, including the EMCC and ICF, as they were understood at the time of recording. Accreditation pathways and requirements can change, so coaches should check the current criteria directly with their chosen professional body before planning or submitting an application. SEO Keywords master-level coach, coaching mastery, master coach accreditation, coaching accreditation, professional coach development, reflective practice, coaching supervision, coach CPD, EMCC accreditation, ICF accreditation, coaching professional development, advanced coach training Links & Resources In Good Company: igcompany.com Coaching Supervision Training: www.igcompany.com/supervisiontraining  Professional organisations discussed: EMCC: European Mentoring and Coaching Council ICF: International Coaching Federation Association for Coaching CIPD: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development ILM: Institute of Leadership and Management