Coaching – the stretchy space to learn and flourish

As our Learning Faciliator Cath comes to the end of completing her CMI Level 7 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring, she reflects on this learning journey.

Coaching is an amazing opportunity for individuals to learn and grow through supportive and developmental challenge

Learning is one of my core values, that deep need to engage in ongoing learning, searching for new insights and a space of stretchy growth. At Team Boo our values run deep and show up every day in our behaviours. As an organisation we care deeply about our colleagues and spend time getting to know and understand our own individual values, identify our strengths and creating opportunities for these to show up in our roles.

Knowing, understanding and living our values is hugely supportive of our wellbeing and when our individual values and organisational values align, that’s the sweet spot of flourishing at work.

I was delighted that my need for ongoing learning was recognised and have really enjoyed all elements of the Level 7, even the assignments!

With a background in social care, my roles have been in the space of community and relational practice. I’ve been proud to be an enabler and sidekick, working alongside people supporting them to have the life of their choosing. Coaching feels like a natural progression: a space to continue to be curious about people, to listen deeply and be an enabler to help people find their own path towards the difference they want to see.

Coaching recognises the potential in all of us.

It makes me think about Thempra’s Diamond Model. The Diamond Model is a social pedagogical concept, a values-led approach to relational practice that aims to support people to flourish. The metaphor of the diamond recognises that “as humans we possess a wealth of skills, abilities, talents, knowledge, and other resources that make us rich in very unique ways. There is a diamond within everyone of us. Not all diamonds are polished and sparkly, but all have the potential to be” Eichsteller & Holthoff, 2012.

Coaching can be a space where we can think about the diamond within us all and help unlock that potential to create the difference we want to see in our lives.

My coaching journey has taken me through the deep learning of ethics, models, tools and reflection and also those lightbulb moments of growth which has had an impact both professionally and personally;

I feel more present. I recognise when I’m at my best and pay attention to listening deeply
My inner critic is kinder and I’m more likely to lean into the space of reflection of learning
I have a greater knowledge and understanding of my emotional intelligence, confident to be my authentic self and perceptive to know what unhelpful behaviours might leak out when I’m not at my best
I appreciate the space of stretchy learning that each coaching opportunity provides
Silence is golden, the space to feel comfortable and not leap to ‘fix’ people

Being part of someone’s coaching journey is a real privilege, a space of deep listening and curiosity, gentle challenge and lightbulb moments, a space where we can support someone to find their own path and discover their sparkly diamond.

Huge thanks to Team Boo and my coaching clients for supporting me on this journey.

At Team Boo, we talk of coaching as the superpower to support you to flourish, find your superpower here.

Coaching – the stretchy space to learn and flourish