The Coaching Inn

S4 Episode 2: Business Builder for Coaches - Do I need a Virtual Assistant? with Kathy Soulsby

Today’s guest is Virtual Assistant and author Kathy Soulsby.  Kathy has just published How to Work with a Virtual Assistant: Outsource Everything but Your Brilliance. If you are wondering about getting support and don’t know how, listen in! This episode is full of insights about what to outsource and how to do it. Kathy started as a VA in 2014 and now leads a team of 30.

 

Contact Kathy Soulsby through Linked In or www.personallyvirtual.co.uk 

 

Remember to subscribe or follow The Coaching Inn  wherever you access your podcasts to get every new episode as they drop.

Keywords

virtual assistant, VA, outsourcing, business support, hiring a VA, finding the right fit

S4 Episode 1: Courage in Coaching with Melissa Hague

Today, Claire Pedrick MCC is in conversation with Melissa Hague who brings extensive experience in organisational life and a desire to support people to engage in their wor places with courage and vulnerability. 

 

Melissa is a certified Dare to Lead facilitator, and has ‘Melissa-d’ her work by doing the inner work that enables her to facilitate other people to do theirs. If you’re interested in the dance of coaching, and how to not be in control with courage, this is definitely one to listen to.

 

Courage is a critical quality of coaches - now more than ever. If our choice as coaches is to run for the hills when the conversation gets tough, we will definitely be replaced by AI.

 

Contact Melissa Hague through Linked In or http://www.melissahague.com/

 

If you like this episode, subscribe or follow The Coaching Inn on your podcast platform to hear new episodes as they drop.  

 

Coming Up: 

Next:  Business Builder for Coaches: Do I need a Virtual Assistant?

Soon: Endings in Coaching with Derek Hill

Key Words

coaching, courage, vulnerability, Brené Brown, everyday moments, choice, values, grounded confidence

S3 Episode 52: The Human Behind The Leader with Samreen McGregor

In the final episode of 2023, Claire Pedrick MCC is in conversation with Samreen McGregor about her experiences growing up in Venezuela and the UK, the challenges of being a global citizen, a third culture child and mother and her work as a consultant and executive coach. This has given her a unique perspective to working on the margins of organisations.

Samreen started in private banking and then transitioned into consulting and leadership coaching. Her son’s treatment for a brain tumour shifted her perspective and priorities. We explore the benefit of providing a safe space in the workplace to acknowledge wounds and scars. She has written Leader Awakened to help others navigate life more consciously and connect with their own humanity. Lots of connections to the work Claire has been doing in the last few years.

 

Takeaways

• Belonging and inclusion are important for individuals who have an international upbringing and may struggle with feeling rooted.
• Trauma in the workplace can impact how leaders interact with others, and it is important to acknowledge and address these experiences.
• Speaking from scars, rather than wounds, allows for authentic and meaningful connections in the workplace.
• Being present and embodying one's experiences can lead to personal growth and a more conscious approach to leadership.
• The book 'Leader Awakened' encourages readers to reflect on their journey, connect with their humanity, and navigate life with a conscious compass.

Contact Samreen through

• Linked In
• www.turmericgroup.com
• www.leaderawakened.co.uk

Keywords

Samreen McGregor, Leader Awakened, international upbringing, belonging, inclusion, trauma in the workplace, speaking from scars, being present, conscious compass

S3 Episode 51: Open Table - Psychometrics and Ethics in Coaching

In June 2023, William McKee came to The Coaching Inn to talk about psychometrics in coaching.  Here is is. It’s our second most popular episode this year and has received lots of feedback and evoked conversation. So we invited William back with some people who expressed interest in going deeper.  And that's exactly what we did!

We explore the connection between the ethics of coaching and the ethics of using a psychometric tool; the useful and the sacred; psychometrics as power tools and more.  Well worth a listen, and we’d love to hear what you think. Please comment in the chat.

Today’s guests were:

• William McKee
• Jamie Adam
• Jon Barton
• Liz Price
• Richard Bennett
• Richard Procter

Continue the conversation in Claire’s supervision community

Takeaways

• The use of psychometrics in coaching should be based on evidence and reliability.
• Practitioners should be cautious of using tools that may lead to self-delusion rather than self-awareness.
• Ethical practice is crucial in the coaching industry, especially when working with vulnerable clients.
• Psychometric tools should be used as a means to ask questions rather than provide prescriptive answers.
• The power dynamics between coaches and clients should be carefully considered when introducing psychometrics.
• Psychometric vendors should be scrutinized for their claims and the validity of their tools. Psychometric tools often lack validity and reliability, and coaches should be cautious about using them.
• Coaches should be transparent with clients about the limitations of psychometric tools and the fluidity of personality.
• Ethical use of psychometric tools requires critical thinking and careful consideration of their validity and the potential harm they can cause.
• Training for coaches in using psychometric tools should include a thorough understanding of statistical reasoning and clear communication of the limitations of the tools.
• Personality is not fixed, and coaches should emphasize the potential for growth and change.
• The use of psychometric tools should be approached with an open mind and a focus on the individual's unique needs and goals.

Keywords

psychometrics, coaching, evidence-based, self-delusion, ethical practice, reliability, validity, vulnerability, power dynamics, psychometric tools, ethics, limitations, validity, reliability, training, harm, transparency, fluidity of personality, ethical use, caution, critical thinking

 

S3 Episode 50: Deep Talk in Coaching with Tuula Valkonen

Today Claire is in conversation with Tuula Valkonen, the founder of Deep Talk. They met when Claire delivered the keynote address at the Deep Talk/Out of The Box conference in September and they made lots of connections between Tuula’s work and ours.  Today’s podcast is on our YouTube channel as well as our audio channels because there is much to watch as Tuula facilitates Claire to explore using the Deep Talk method.

 

We explore the origins of Tuula’s work as a working counsellor, linguist and play specialist.  She brings the richest and simplest of all these things to her work. A question integrated into Tuula’s work is: I wonder, is it good enough? A liberating question for every coach - our work only needs to be good enough for today!

Find more about Tuula’s work from https://outoftheboxstories.org/

 

Takeaways

• Deep Talk is a simple and powerful method that uses ancient stories to help individuals and communities connect with their inner language and find their best language.
• Deep Talk creates a safe and playful space for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
• Deep Talk can have a profound impact in organizations and communities by enabling people to be themselves and fostering authentic connections.
• Working counseling is about helping people be themselves and learn dialogical language.
• Inner child work is an important aspect of Deep Talk, allowing individuals to connect with their playful and curious nature.

Keywords

Deep Talk, coaching, inner language, community, storytelling, inner child work, working counseling, Out of The Box

S3 Episode 49: The Power of Coaching Skills in an Interim Role with Andy Riggs and Fi Stevenson

Andy and Fi are both experienced interims working in many different roles across different organisations.  They are also both trained coaches.

 

They had each noticed how they used their coaching skills in different ways in their interim roles.  So Claire said ‘Come to The Coaching Inn and let’s talk more…’

 

We talk about knowing, about not knowing the back story and about not needing to find the whole solution in your role: Which bit do we need to do here?

 

Contact 

Fi Stevenson

Andy Riggs

 

Takeaways

• Coaching skills can enhance the role of an interim by improving listening, building trust, and empowering others.
• Interim work offers variety and the opportunity to work with different organizations and sectors.
• Coaching as an interim allows for a fresh start and the belief in the potential of individuals.
• A coaching style as an interim involves staying curious, holding back on telling, and drawing out options and solutions.
• Coaching skills are valuable soft skills that can benefit professionals in any career.

Keywords

coaching, interim, journey, listening, trust, coaching skills, variety, engagement, empowerment

S3 Episode 48: Coaching When You Don’t Know What To Say with Matt Abrahams

Matt Abrahams contacted Claire via Linked In to say ‘Can we talk about my new book: Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot‘. It was a no brainer to say yes as we have been doing so much work on not knowing and how to speak when you don’t know what to say!

 

There are some great insights in today’s episodes including the value of what we do outside work that builds our courage and presence inside.  For Matt, it’s martial arts.  Matt shares his journey to coaching and the motivation behind writing the book. He discusses the six-step methodology for saying something when you don't know what to say, which includes managing anxiety, reframing speaking as an opportunity, and listening deeply. The conversation also explores the connection between coaching and other disciplines such as martial arts and improv.

 

Contact Matt:

linkedin.com/in/maabrahams

And find his podcast here

 

Takeaways

• Effective communication is essential in coaching and can be learned and improved upon.
• Managing anxiety and reframing speaking as an opportunity are important mindset steps in effective communication.
• Listening deeply and responding appropriately are crucial in spontaneous speaking situations.
• Structure and focus are key messaging steps in effective communication.
• Coaching can be connected to other disciplines such as martial arts and improv, which can enhance communication skills.

Keywords

coaching, communication, effective communication, book, Think Fast Talk Smart, journey, methodology, anxiety management, reframing, listening, connection, martial arts, improv

 

 

S3 Episode 47: The Human Behind The Coach Book Launch

If you missed the live launch of The Human Behind The Coach at The Coaching Inn last week, here’s your chance to catch up. This week’s host is Alan Gyle - the voice of The Coaching Inn credits! Karen Foy interviews Claire and Lucia about the book.

 

This episode is also available in full on our YouTube channel

 

Check out www.thehumanbehindthecoach.com

 

And you can buy a signed copy - with a personalised dedication from https://www.3dcoaching.com/shop/hbtc-signed-copies/

 

Contact 

• Claire Pedrick
• Lucia Baldelli
• Karen Foy

 

Keywords

coaching, book launch, human behind the coach, vulnerability, humility, silence, distance, neurodivergence, AI

S3 Episode 46: Honouring your values with Jamie Fiore Higgins

Today, Jamie Fiore Higgins joins Claire at The Coaching Inn.  Jamie worked as a Managing Partner in Wall Street for 20 years. After she left, she wrote: Bully Market - My story of money and misogyny at Goldman Sachs.

 

Jamie is now establishing herself as a coach. We talk about working with integrity and being human. We also notice a connection with William Bridges book Creating You and Company.

 

You can contact Jamie at www.jamiefiorehiggins.com

 

Takeaways

• Finding one's own recipe for success and living with integrity is crucial in creating a fulfilling career.
• Coaching can help individuals discover their desires and create meaningful lives by providing space for reflection and exploration.
• Having agency and autonomy in one's career is empowering and allows for personal growth and fulfillment.
• Authenticity and truth-telling are highly valued in a world of social media filters and superficiality.

 

Keywords
coaching, career, success, integrity, agency, autonomy, mindset, values, identity, authenticity, transformation

 

 

S3 Episode 45: Business Builder for Coaches: Branding your Business with Keeley Vuong White

"Give the world your message, and the right people come back to you. You'll be a magnet for the right person, the right clients."

 

This week, Claire talks with new coach and long time marketer Keeley Vuong White. Claire and Keeley first met on a coaches walk in the Malvern Hills**. Keeley talks about her year of experimenting and how you’re the brand and it doesn’t have to be corporate because brand is only a tool.

 

Takeaways

• The power of purpose-driven branding and its impact on coaching
• The importance of health and self-care for coaches
• The value of simplifying communication and externalizing ideas
• Tips for new coaches and the significance of having a niche
• The mutual generosity and importance of purpose-driven coaching

 

We also share our love of breakfast - and what Keeley is learning from her latest (when we recorded)  read - Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO.

 

Contact Keeley 

• Linked In
• Insta Keeley_VWhite
• www.Kiauracoaching.co.uk

** Check out Coaches Walking on Linked In if you want to join us on the next walk - or join in other walks with coaches on other areas. And if there isn’t one in your country or area, start one!

 

Key Words

coaching journey, marketing, branding, purpose-driven branding, health, simplifying communication, externalizing ideas, purpose-driven coaching, coaching tips