Mentor Coach: Wendy Koh
22nd Mar 2023
Module 5 covers Embodies a Coaching Mindset, the second of ICF’s eight core competencies required of a coach.
I’m a huge proponent of mindset-focused training because I believe we can have a fantastic skillset, but as long as our mindset is limited, we can’t go far. (Psst: This is why I decided to be a coach.)
Hence I took last night’s session like a duck to water. No, it’s not that I already knew what Coach Wendy taught. I still had questions about the terms used.
E.g., I thought the word “Open” was superfluous since one must be open to be “Curious”.
Oh, well.
Anyway, here’s the gist of the second Core Competency:
Embodies a Coaching Mindset
Definition: Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client-centred
- Acknowledges that clients are responsible for their own choices
- Engages in ongoing learning and development as a coach
- Develops an ongoing reflective practice to enhance one’s coaching
- Remains aware of and open to the influence of context and culture on self and others
- Uses awareness of self and one’s intuition to benefit clients
- Develops and maintains the ability to regulate one’s emotions
- Mentally and emotionally prepares for sessions
- Seeks help from outside sources when necessary
Coach Wendy expounded on the above 8 points by using Coach Mel’s 7 building blocks.
The challenge for me is Block 6 – A Coach’s Vulnerability.
Because of the OCD in me, I always get anxious when I don’t know what comes next. Coach Wendy gave me some tips to overcome it. I shall be more conscious when my OCD starts rearing its ugly head.
It’s not something that will go away auto-magically, though.
As for a takeaway (can I upsize my fries?), it’s point no. 4 above.
I must learn to be empathetic towards others whose opinions differ from mine. I shall strive to appreciate the cultural influence that causes someone to say or do things in a way that I cannot fathom.
Looks like 2023 will be a challenging (albeit a healthy one) year for me.
Fighting! (Pardon the broken English here. It’s the Korean dramas’ fault lah).
