What does mastery look like in coaching today — and how are the ICF Core Competencies evolving in 2025?

In this episode of The Coach Within, Coach Jedi unpacks the latest updates to the 8 ICF Core Competencies, based on years of global research, feedback, and practice since the 2019 refresh. Whether you’re an aspiring ACC, an experienced PCC, or a mentor MCC, this episode will help you understand what’s changed, why it matters, and how to apply it in your own coaching practice.

 Here’s what you’ll discover:

• Ethical Practice – Navigate integrity, confidentiality, and AI challenges in coaching.

• Coaching Mindset – Embrace ongoing learning, manage biases, and sustain well-being as a coach.

• Agreements – Move beyond checklists into living, revisitable commitments with clients and stakeholders.

• Trust & Safety – The timeless foundation of human connection across cultures and generations.

• Presence – Harness silence, uncertainty, and grounded awareness in coaching conversations.

• Active Listening – Hear beyond words into patterns, emotions, and the unspoken.

• Evoking Awareness – Use questions, metaphors, and observations (without attachment) to spark insight.

• Facilitating Growth – Support autonomy, acknowledge progress, and close with impact.

  
  

Plus: Explore the new ICF Glossary of Terms (2025) and why clarity around concepts like bias, worldview, well-being, technology, and without attachment matters for every coach.

This is more than an update — it’s an invitation to deepen your coaching mastery, align with the latest global standards, and bring fresh clarity to every client conversation.

🎧 Tune in to expand your skills, connect closer to your purpose, and elevate your coaching journey.

👉 For more, visit jedi.coach.

What does it really mean to reach mastery in coaching? In this episode of The Coach Within, MCC coaches Sophia and Jedi unpack the paradox of “Messy Mastery.”

Together, they explore how coaching mastery is less about perfection and more about play, curiosity, rediscovery, and love for the human being. From embracing uncertainty and frustration to drawing inspiration from the “messy” workspaces of Leonardo da Vinci and Picasso, this conversation challenges traditional notions of what mastery should look like.

Discover how presence and surrender create space for organic co-creation, where insights and programs emerge naturally — like a curriculum writing itself. Learn why mastery isn’t a level to attain but an ever-evolving journey, filled with rediscovery of the old, openness to the new, and unconditional love for those we serve.

Whether you’re a coach, leader, or on a personal growth path, this episode invites you to embrace the messiness, unlock fresh clarity, and step bravely into your own evolving mastery.

For more conversations, visit jedi.coach.

Are you preparing for your ACC or PCC exam, or simply seeking to elevate your ethical coaching practice? This session is essential for coaches navigating complex ethical scenarios and striving for excellence.We begin by exploring how to engage in ethical conversations without fear, guilt, or avoidance – a common challenge often presented in certification exams. This episode critically differentiates between proactive care and reactive empathy, highlighting that care, in the ICF context, is an active and deliberate measure a coach takes to support the client, fostering a space of trust and safety.This session meticulously breaks down the eight key sections of Part 3, which fundamentally centers on commitment for all within the ICF ecosystem – encompassing clients, stakeholders, the coaching profession, and its processes.Here’s what we delve into:• Mindful Performance with Integrity and Accountability: Understand your duties to perform mindfully, considering the global impact of your actions on the coaching profession. A critical focus is placed on client confidentiality: learn why sharing client stories or successes, even anonymously, is an ethical breach unless you have explicit, articulated, and recorded permission from the client. We also discuss strategies like fictionalizing content to ethically share lessons learned without compromising privacy. Key factors to consider are the scope of impact/reach and the nature of the permission given.• Commitment to Excellence through Ethical Development: Discover why ethical development is just as vital as skill and personal development. This involves continuous reflection, engaging with dilemmas, and learning from ethical missteps. We explore challenging scenarios, such as the internal struggle of a coach feeling ineffective and the urge to 'solve' for a client, and the importance of regularly resetting your ethical parameters.• Cultural Competence and Curiosity: Navigate the complexities of cultural filters – our invisible assumptions – and how culture profoundly influences ethics. This section advocates for moving beyond mere cultural tolerance to cultural curiosity and responsiveness, rather than neutrality. Learn to respect and adapt to differences in communication styles, hierarchy, generational nuances, and traditions. We provide insights on the importance of pre-session cultural 'homework' and how to frame initial conversations when cultural context is unfamiliar. The distinction between cross-cultural and multicultural differences is also explored.• Awareness of Relationships and Influencing Factors: Gain insight into how biases, power dynamics, and systemic oppressions can affect coaching relationships. Understand that unexamined power can distort the coaching relationship and that the client remains the expert in their own domain knowledge, while the coach provides expertise in the coaching process. We also discuss avoiding overly 'politically correct' but robotic conversations in favor of genuine ethical alignment for client safety.• Respectfully Addressing Unethical Conduct: Develop the courage to confront concerns regarding unethical behavior by peers, clients, or stakeholders. This includes navigating sensitive situations such as HR requests for confidential client insights, or addressing misleading marketing claims and over-promising breakthroughs by other coaches online. Private communication is often the preferred first step.----For more real stories, practical tools, and thought-provoking reflections, or to explore upcoming programs, visit jedi.coach or check out our show notes. If this podcast helped you grow, please follow, share, and leave a review – it helps more people find us. Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within.https://jedi.coachJedi@Jedi.Coach

Welcome to "The coach within," where transformation begins from the inside out. In this crucial episode, your host Coach Jedi dives deep into the ethical frontier of coaching, focusing on navigating the gray zones and ethical ambiguity with wisdom, courage, and fortitude.

This discussion is essential for all coaches – whether you're an organizational, leadership, life, relationship, or even children's coach – as well as leaders and anyone on a journey of personal growth. We aim to equip you for scenarios where multiple options may seem correct or wrong, and where the ambiguity requires a clear logic to evaluate the best choice.

Beyond these practical scenarios, we delve into 5 key signals of ethical ambiguity that coaches must watch for in their practice:

• Over responsibility: When the coach feels an excessive need to "fix," "help," or "save" the client, often called the "superman effect". This involves the coach holding the weight of transformation instead of the client. We clarify that the coach is responsible to the client, while the client is responsible for their results and outcome. This highlights the importance of setting expectations at the beginning.
• Role Confusion: The blurring of lines between distinct roles such as coaching, mentoring, advising, or consulting. It's crucial to co-create clarity with the client about the coaching versus advising boundary before proceeding.
• Silent Dissonance: An intuitive sense that "something feels off," "scratchy," or "not quite right" in a session, even if everything appears fine on the surface. You might feel unusually fatigued or begin asking scripted questions. The best ethical move is to pause and name what you are sensing, inviting the client into reflection.
• Power Drift: A subtle shift where the client dominates the conversation, dismisses your questions, and sets the agenda, causing the coach to lose agency and the session to no longer be a co-created space. This erodes the co-created partnership and can compromise client autonomy .
• Emotional Stickiness: Carrying a client's emotional issues or story with you after the session, leading to lingering impact and potential transference or counter-transference. If you find yourself ruminating over a client's story and feeling emotionally heavy, reflecting in supervision is the best next step [5, Q5 C]. This signals a need to re-center yourself, perhaps by taking a jog, exercising, or reading.

We also discuss the distinct and vital role of supervision in coaching. Unlike mentor coaching, which focuses on feedback for ICF core competency development, coaching supervision is a space to voice any concerns, support the coach's overall development, address their state of being and mind, manage biases, discuss personal challenges, and navigate ethical issues. It serves as a reflective space for the coach, supporting them beyond competency development. The term "reflect in supervision" refers to checking in with a coach supervisor for help or support.

Finally, we introduce the 3x3 Ethical Compass – a powerful framework to help you navigate ambiguous or emotionally charged moments. This principle guides you by considering Intent, Impact, and Integrity across three levels: Self, Client, and System. By asking questions like "What am I hoping to achieve here?" (Intent/Self), "How could this influence their autonomy or safety?" (Impact/Client), or "Does my action reinforce ethical standards beyond this moment?"

For more real stories, practical tools, and thought-provoking reflections, or to explore upcoming programs, visit jedi.coach or check out our show notes.

If this podcast helped you grow, please follow, share, and leave a review – it helps more people find us. Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within.

Welcome to "The coach within," where transformation begins from the inside out. In this crucial episode, your host Coach Jedi dives deep into the ethical frontier of coaching, presenting 10 challenging questions focused on navigating the gray zones with wisdom, courage, and fortitude. This discussion is essential for all coaches – whether you're an organizational, leadership, life, relationship, or even children's coach – as well as leaders and anyone on a journey of personal growth.

We explore common ethical dilemmas through real-world scenarios, emphasizing the "first principles" of the ICF Code of Ethics:

• Client Safety & Mental Health: What's your best action when a client shares depressive thoughts and doesn't feel safe at home? Learn when to pause and explore options for professional support or reporting in line with your agreement, referencing ICF Code of Ethics Standard 2.3.
• Referral Bonuses & Conflicts of Interest: Navigate situations where a client offers you a referral bonus. The key is to disclose the referral offer and clarify compensation boundaries to avoid conflicts of interest, as per ICF Standard 3.8 (disclosing compensation for referrals) and 3.3 (resolving conflict of interest). It's about upfront clarity in your arrangements.
• Confidentiality with Sponsors: Discover the most ethical step when a manager asks for a summary of a coaching conversation with their employee. The best approach is to revisit the confidentiality agreement with both client and sponsor before sharing anything.
• Setting Boundaries with Clients: How do you handle a long-term client contacting you outside sessions for non-coaching advice? The ethical next step is to explore and reset the coaching agreement, clarifying boundaries.
• Cultural Dynamics in Coaching: When coaching someone from a culture that prioritizes hierarchy, and they often agree with your suggestions, the ethical response is to explore the relational dynamic and invite awareness of partnership.
• Ethical vs. Legal Boundaries: What should you do when a client confesses lying on a job application? It's crucial to explore the client's reasoning and clarify that reporting is not your role unless law requires it.
• Coach Self-Care & Presence: What's the most ethical step if you are emotionally affected and begin dreading sessions with a particular client? Seek supervision and evaluate whether your presence has been compromised.
• Consent for Public Sharing: Understand the ethical breach when a coach posts a social media quote from a client session (even anonymously). The breach is failing to obtain explicit informed consent from the client, as they can still feel exposed.
• Social Media Friend Requests: A past client asks to be friends on social media, and you feel uncomfortable. The most ethical action is to consider the nature of the request and initiate a conversation to clarify relational boundaries.
• Group Confidentiality Breaches: In a group coaching session, if one participant reveals confidential information about another, the best response is to pause the session and address the breach in a respectful and confidential manner. This might involve a co-coach or temporarily pausing the group to address individuals privately.

This episode delves into the practical application of the ICF Code of Ethics, helping you make courageous decisions in complex scenarios. Whether you are preparing for your ICF credentials or simply aiming to deepen your understanding of ethical coaching practices, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical tools.

For more real stories, practical tools, and thought-provoking reflections, or to explore upcoming programs, visit jedi.coach or check out our show notes.

If this podcast helped you grow, please follow, share, and leave a review – it helps more people find us. Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within.

Welcome to "The coach within," where transformation begins from the inside out. In this crucial Part 2 episode, your host Coach Jedi dives deep into the ethical frontier of coaching, focusing on navigating the gray zones with wisdom, courage, and fortitude. This discussion is essential for all coaches – whether you're an organizational, leadership, life, relationship, or even children's coach – as well as leaders and anyone on a journey of personal growth.

We explore seven common ethical gray zones – subtle, complex situations where there may be no clear violation of the Code of Ethics, but the coach experiences discomfort, a conflict with personal values, or uncertainty:

• Blending Roles Without Clarity: Discover the challenges of being an internal coach, advisor, or mentor where lines blur, and how to maintain clarity in your coaching agreements, even when organizations use terms like "talent" or "employee" instead of "client". Learn how to set boundaries and distinguish your coaching role from HR or managerial functions.

• Emotional Dependency to the Coach / Over-attachment: Understand when a client's emotional needs extend beyond the scope of coaching and risk becoming therapeutic. We discuss how to establish clear boundaries and the importance of knowing and referring clients to appropriate mental health resources and helplines in your country.

• Confidentiality in Team or Organizational Coaching: Navigate scenarios where sponsors (HR, team leaders) request session notes or insider information. Learn how to protect client trust and safety, and when confidentiality can and must be breached, such as for violations of company policy, employee contracts, or criminal laws.

• Cultural Biases or Communication: Explore how your own cultural values, generational attitudes, traditions, hierarchies, and customs can influence your perception and create blind spots in listening. Understand the nuances of multi-generational workplaces and the importance of avoiding projections of your own beliefs onto the client.

• Unacknowledged Power Dynamics: Recognize situations where clients may feel unsafe to fully express themselves due to perceived seniority (age, title, position, gender) of the coach. Learn how to create psychological safety and address unspoken hierarchies to foster open communication.

• Coaching Friends, Relatives, or Past Clients: Unpack why pre-existing relationships can lead to complacency, cognitive biases, and make it difficult to maintain neutrality. We discuss the inherent challenges and offer guidance on when it might be best to avoid coaching those very close to you.

• Unconscious Influence on Client's Direction: Become aware of how you might subtly lead clients through your tone, pacing, or framing, and the importance of trusting the client to find their own solutions rather than imposing your own frame of thinking or rigid models.

We also cover the critical decision-making process, including when it's appropriate to respectfully terminate a coaching agreement if a client's customs or values conflict irreconcilably with your own, emphasizing that not every client is a fit for every coach.

For more real stories, practical tools, and thought-provoking reflections, or to explore upcoming programs, visit jedi.coach or check out our show notes.

If this podcast helped you grow, please follow, share, and leave a review – it helps more people find us. Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within.

Welcome to "The coach within," where transformation begins from the inside out. In this crucial episode, your host Coach Jedi dives deep into the ICF Code of Ethics, focusing intensely on its four Core Values: Professionalism, Collaboration, Humanity, and Equity. This discussion is essential for coaches, leaders, and anyone on a journey of personal growth, offering clarity, sparking insight, and bringing you closer to your purpose.

And here's a bonus: This episode includes challenging sample questions to test your knowledge of these critical ethical concepts, perfect for self-assessment and refining your understanding of the ICF Core Values and ethical principles. This is especially valuable if you're preparing for ICF credentials like the ACC, PCC, or MCC exams, where ethics comprises a significant portion of the test!

Learn why ICF Core Values are the foundational framework for understanding the entire Code of Ethics, ethical principles, and standards of conduct. We emphasize their importance for guiding all ethical reasoning and decision-making, with all values and principles being equally important, supporting one another, and aspirational.

We break down each core value, providing definitions and practical insights:

• Professionalism: A commitment to a coaching mindset and professional quality that encompasses responsibility, respect, integrity, competence, and excellence. This includes being true and accurate in your statements (e.g., representing yourself as a "coach in training" if not credentialed). We discuss the importance of lifelong professional learning and making clear, accurate representations in all professional interactions, prohibiting misrepresentations like guaranteeing earnings or offering kickbacks for referrals.
• Collaboration: A commitment to developing social connection and community building. This involves working collaboratively, fostering joint creativity, partnering with diverse social identity groups, and cooperating with other ICF professionals, associations, and coaching organizations.
• Humanity: A commitment to being humane, kind, compassionate, and respectful to others. This value encourages accepting imperfections as an opportunity to spread a culture of openness and self-acceptance, continuously seeking self-awareness, owning mistakes, and avoiding any communication that suggests superiority (e.g., using grand titles like "Dr. Coach" to clients).
• Equity: A commitment to using a coaching mindset to explore and understand the needs of others, creating equality for all. This means recognizing and respecting all identity groups, treating everyone with dignity, bringing awareness to conscious and unconscious biases, and maintaining equality in all coaching relationships (coach-client, trainer-student, mentor-coach, supervisor-coach).

This episode also highlights the "do good principle" for navigating challenging situations and making courageous decisions. Whether you are preparing for your ICF credentials or simply aiming to deepen your understanding of ethical coaching practices, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical tools.

For more real stories, practical tools, and thought-provoking reflections, or to explore upcoming programs, visit jedi.coach.

If this podcast helped you grow, please follow, share, and leave a review – it helps more people find us. Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within.

Welcome to "The coach within," where transformation begins from the inside out. In this crucial episode, your host Coach Jedi dives deep into the ICF Code of Ethics, specifically exploring its purpose, core values, and the commitments required from all within the ICF ecosystem. This discussion is essential for coaches, leaders, and anyone on a journey of personal growth, offering clarity, sparking insight, and bringing you closer to your purpose.

And here's a bonus: This episode includes challenging sample questions to test your knowledge of these critical ethical concepts, perfect for self-assessment and refining your understanding of the ICF Code of Ethics Purpose section. This is especially valuable if you're preparing for ICF credentials like the ACC exam, where ethics comprises a significant of at least 60% of the test!

Discover how the ICF's revised Code of Ethics (2025 version) sets the ethical standards of professional conduct required to be adhered by all within the extensive ICF ecosystem, not just credentialed coaches. We break down the six family organizations that form this ecosystem – including ICF Professional Coaches, Credentials & Standards, Coaching & Education, Foundation, Coaching in Organizations, and the Thought Leadership Institute – and how they are strategically coordinated by the ICF Global Board.

Learn why ICF Core Values are the foundational framework for understanding the entire Code of Ethics, ethical principles, and standards of conduct. We emphasize their importance for guiding all ethical reasoning and decision-making.

This episode also sheds light on critical areas such as:

• The Ethical Conduct Review (ECR) process and how the ICF Independent Review Board upholds and preserves ICF ethical standards through it, applicable to all ICF professionals.
• The mandatory requirement for continuous ethical education training for all credentialed ICF professionals, highlighting its role as a foundational element in accredited programs and its significant presence (60%) in the ACC exam.
• Recognizing and addressing misrepresentation and unethical practices within the coaching profession, such as incorrect use of ICF credentials or logos, blurring of lines by those rebranding as "coaches" while performing other roles like financial advising or training, and unethical claims by coaching education companies. Understanding these common pitfalls helps uphold the integrity of the global coaching profession.
• The role of the "do good principle" in navigating difficult ethical dilemmas, encouraging courageous decision-making in the best interest of the client, even though the ICF Core Values are the primary foundation for ethical reasoning.

Whether you are preparing for your ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, MCC) or simply aiming to deepen your understanding of ethical coaching practices, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical tools.

For more real stories, practical tools, and thought-provoking reflections, or to explore upcoming programs, visit jedi.coach.

If this podcast helped you grow, please follow, share, and leave a review – it helps more people find us.

Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within.

The episode introduces the powerful framework developed by Coach Jedi called the 3A Ethical Presence Model: Aware, Assess, and Act.

Learn to be aware of your own beliefs, generational attitudes, and personal triggers that might influence your coaching. For instance, recognizing if a client's request, such as "teach me how to become a better person," falls beyond the scope of coaching, or if a sensitive topic like retrenchment or miscarriage triggers your own personal experiences. This self-awareness is vital to ensure your passion for a topic doesn't override the client's present needs.

A central focus is navigating the common ethical dilemma of a client asking for advice. While some coaches might take a "hard approach" and immediately refuse, this episode explores a more nuanced strategy. We learn the importance of clarifying what the client truly wants when they ask for advice, exploring their "ends" or desired outcomes rather than just getting stuck on the "means" they initially request. The goal is to help clients connect their own dots and gain genuine clarity, not to feed them immediate answers.

The discussion extends to how a coach can offer observations, thoughts, or perspectives to evoke awareness without giving direct advice, which carries the connotation that the client "have to listen to my advice". This is possible, especially after the midway point of a session, by inviting the client to consider new ideas or possibilities "very lightly".

It's crucial to avoid imposing your viewpoints or concluding for the client with phrases like "So..." or "Therefore...". The source also clarifies that offering additional resources or book recommendations towards the end of a session (aligned with Competency 8) is distinct from giving advice, as long as it's presented for consideration.

We also touch upon the significance of the coaching agreement. Even if explained at the start, clients may forget, making it essential for coaches to reconfirm roles and expectations if a mismatch arises. The ultimate aim is to honor the client's experience, help them define the problem, evoke awareness, and empower them to design their own actions.

This requires discipline from both coach and client to remain within the core intent of coaching. As the discussion emphasizes, helping a "fellow human being in whatever way you can" is important, but it must cycle back to the core intent of coaching.

Welcome to The Coach Within, your guide to mastering the art of coaching. In this crucial episode, part of our Coaching Mastery Series, we delve deep into the foundational element of professional coaching: ethics. Coach Jedi emphasizes that ethics is not an endpoint, but an ongoing journey for coaches, a core tenet for true mastery.

This isn't a generic discussion on right and wrong; we explore ethics specifically within the context of the coaching profession, highlighting its critical importance. Discover key principles like confidentiality and maintaining professional conduct, and learn why truly ethical coaching goes beyond simply "doing the right thing when nobody's looking" to genuinely serving the client's best interest.

We unpack the multiple layers of ethical consideration that every coach must navigate:

• Your individual ethics, values, and beliefs – the ultimate guiding principle that forms your core.

• The professional code of ethics, such as those from ICF, setting industry standards.

• Workplace or organizational ethics, unspoken rules, and policies.

• Societal and community ethics, reflecting shared norms and agreements.

• Cultural ethics, which transcend regions and peoples, influencing behavior and expectations.

• And finally, global humanistic ethics, evolving across time and new eras like technology and AI, challenging our understanding of what is acceptable.

Learn to identify and navigate ethical dilemmas, such as discerning the "degree of consequence of an action" in your coaching practice. We discuss the nuanced use of tools like personality assessments, ensuring they truly serve the client's needs rather than just convenience or categorization.

The conversation underscores the vital role of the coaching agreement in establishing ethical boundaries and ensuring that the client's perspective drives the process. Ultimately, the core guiding principle is the "do good principle," ensuring your actions genuinely help the other person.

This episode is essential for any coach looking to set clear boundaries, enhance their professional knowledge, and master the ethical considerations that form a significant part of coaching competency and exam readiness.

As Coach Jedi shares, ethics is not where coaching ends, but "it's where it begins," forming the unseen yet powerful foundation of your practice, much like the roots of a tree.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• The multifaceted nature of ethics in professional coaching.

• The importance of confidentiality and professional conduct.

• Understanding the seven layers of ethical influence.

• Navigating ethical dilemmas and the "degree of consequence".

• The role of individual ethics and the "do good principle".

• Why ethics forms the fundamental boundaries of coaching.

Ignite the coach within and brave your story!

If this episode resonates with you, please take a moment to reflect, journal, or share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Want to experience coaching or explore our upcoming programs?

Head to jedi.coach or check out our show notes to connect. Please follow, share, and leave a review – it helps more people find us and grow.

Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within!

Welcome to The Coach Within! In this episode, your host, Coach Jedi, brings you a powerful live coaching demonstration that exemplifies mastery in coaching through a truly co-creative approach. Whether you're an aspiring coach, a seasoned leader, or someone on a journey of personal growth, this session offers a unique window into how transformative conversations can unfold.

Join us as we witness Coach Jedi partner with Andy, a client navigating a complex personal dilemma: planning a crucial trip that holds conflicting desires – precious family bonding time with his daughter versus reconnecting with family friends. Andy, the "go-to" planner for his loved ones, finds himself at a 2-3 out of 10 in terms of clarity, grappling with the "influence of many voices" and his own deep-seated desire to "please everybody".

This episode showcases the LEAD™ Coaching Model in dynamic action, an integrative, agile, and eclectic framework rooted in Asian leadership philosophy and human-centered leadership [LEAD Model Background]. You'll see how this four-phase model transforms conversation into meaningful pathways for clarity and growth:

• Lead Outcomes: Discover how clear, co-created goals for the session (moving from 2-3 to 7-8 clarity) set the stage for profound exploration, even in the face of uncertainty.

• Examine: Observe the meticulous process of unpacking Andy's complex situation, his conflicting loyalties, and the core tensions he faces between personal family time and broader social connections.

• Explore & Evoke: Experience the power of the coach guiding Andy to step into different perspectives – particularly his daughter's unspoken desires. Witness the co-creation of innovative solution spaces, such as the "integrated trip" concept that offers the "best of both worlds," even if it means Andy takes on "a lot more stress".

• Aligned Insights: Hear Andy's candid self-discovery – his realization of a deep-seated desire to please others and his willingness to bear the burden of intricate planning to satisfy everyone. This is where the true "coach within" ignites, revealing core values and motivations.

• Decide & Act: Learn about the concrete next steps Andy commits to, including leveraging new resources like an AI buddy for planning, communicating with stakeholders, and establishing a clear timeline for execution.

This demonstration is a testament to the fact that coaching is not merely a "demo," but a real, transformative experience that empowers clients to gain clarity, unearth hidden insights, and brave their own stories. You'll gain practical tools and reflections to apply in your own life and leadership.

Ignite the coach within and brave your story!

If this episode resonates with you, please take a moment to reflect, journal, or share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Want to experience coaching or explore our upcoming programs?

Head to jedi.coach or check out our show notes to connect. Please follow, share, and leave a review – it helps more people find us and grow.

Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within!

Welcome to Brave Your Story - The Coach Within, the podcast where transformation begins from the inside out! Your host, Coach Jedi, explores coaching conversations that unlock clarity, spark insight, and bring you closer to your purpose.

In this special episode, we're joined by Dr. Nash Siamwalla, a remarkable individual and a former classmate of Coach Jedi, now a participant in Mr. Gay Universe Thailand 2025. This profound conversation delves into Dr. Nash's deeply personal journey, highlighting the power of owning one's story and the transformative impact of self-acceptance.

This episode is a profound exploration of identity, courage, and community, directly reflecting the ethos of Coach Jedi's "Brave Your Story" brand – helping individuals own their narrative and live life courageously.

In this captivating interview, you'll discover:

• Self-Acceptance: The First StepCoach Jedi emphasizes that true transformation begins with self-acceptance, particularly for LGBT individuals who often suppress their stories due to societal fears. Dr. Nash's journey exemplifies this, highlighting the importance of "coming out to oneself first" rather than focusing solely on external 'coming out'. This internal acceptance is a key measure of success, irrespective of external validation. The conversation reveals that courage isn't always a grand, bold act, but can be as simple as an intention to "thank them" for an opportunity, as Dr. Nash describes his entry into the Mr. Gay Universe competition.

• The Coach Within & MindfulnessThe podcast explores how everyone possesses an "inner coach" – a source of encouragement and self-guidance, especially when external support feels distant. Mindfulness practices are presented as practical tools to cultivate self-awareness, ground oneself in the present, and navigate the "many voices" of fear and confusion within.

• The Power of Communities & Reverse InclusionA central theme is the "Power of Communities," aligning with the Mr. Gay Universe competition's focus. Coach Jedi redefines "community" not just as people gathering, but as a deliberate "commune" – coming together with a shared purpose, often around acts of giving and co-creation. A powerful concept introduced is "reverse inclusion," exemplified by a Taiwan cafe helping LGBT individuals find love while also being open to straight people. This approach challenges traditional notions of inclusion by fostering a sense of belonging for everyone, removing the 'othering' that often comes with attempts to include marginalized groups. Dr. Nash shares his view that Asian culture often embodies this spirit, where "everybody come to give, not every come to demand something".

• Success Beyond DefinitionsCoach Jedi asserts that "every story is a success story". Success isn't measured by outward "outness" or conformity, but by whether an individual has accepted who they are. The episode offers practical insights into taking "baby steps" towards self-acceptance, such as writing down one's truth before voicing it, which can overcome fear and lead to powerful self-realization.

Whether you're a coach, a leader, or on a personal growth journey, this episode offers profound insights into self-discovery, courageous living, and the true meaning of community. Ignite the coach within and brave your story! If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to reflect, journal, or share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Connect with Coach Jedi:

• Visit: https://jedi.coach/
• Listen to The Coach Within on Spotify, Apple Podcasts

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Your support helps us reach more people eager to transform their lives and leadership.

Welcome back to The Coach Within! In this transformative episode, your host, Coach Jedi, is joined by Irene to bring you an exclusive masterclass on acing your ICF ACC Credentialing Exam.

This episode goes beyond simply passing; it's designed to equip you with the mindset, strategies, and preparation needed to truly excel. Whether you're a coach, a leader, or on a journey of personal growth, this is your definitive guide to navigating the ICF certification process effectively.

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• Understanding the Exam Structure: Learn about the ICF Credentialing Exam for ACC Level 1, a knowledge-based assessment comprising 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes at Pearson's VUE testing centers worldwide. We highly recommend taking the exam in person for a more conducive environment.

• Key Exam Content Areas: The exam validates your foundational understanding of the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics, and the definition of coaching. These are your crucial study sources.

• Scoring for Success: Aim for 80% and above, with a minimum passing score of 460 out of 600 points (approximately 76%).

• Deep Dive into Exam Categories:
• The "PASS" Exam Preparation Framework:
• Practical Study Habits: Implement a 30-minute daily "PASS" study habit to build familiarity and confidence before your exam.

• The Purpose of the Knowledge Test: It's not just about memorizing facts; it's about testing your coaching mindset and your ability to maintain presence under time pressure.

• Strategic Test-Taking Tips: Learn to "think like a coach, not a technician," eliminate "fix-it" options, stay neutral and empowering, and always choose the ethically sound response, even if inconvenient.

• Real-World Practice Questions: We'll walk through sample questions discussing common dilemmas related to confidentiality, conflict of interest, boundary violations, managing client records, and more, offering insights into how to discern the "best" answer according to ICF phrasing. Remember to focus on the phrasing and key terms in the questions.

Ignite the coach within and brave your story! This episode offers invaluable, free resources to support your credentialing journey. We believe coaching is about sharing knowledge, not hiding it.

If today's episode sparked something in you, take a moment to reflect, journal, or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Want to experience coaching or explore our upcoming programs?

Head to jedi.coach or check out our show notes to connect. Please follow, share, and leave a review to help more people find us. Until next time, keep listening, keep reflecting, and keep braving your story from within!

Want to experience personalized coaching?

Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jedi@jedi.coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—let’s get started to create a transformative experience today.

Let's Brave Your Story.

Welcome back to the Coach Within podcast! In this episode, host Coach Jedi kicks off a new series designed to help you develop your coaching competency skill sets for the ACC, PCC, and MCC credential levels.

While mastery is a continuous journey of learning and growth, not just about credentials, this episode focuses on the ACC (Associate Certified Coach) minimum skill requirement for ICF Core Competency 3: Establishes and Maintains Agreements.

Discover the importance of partnering with clients to create clear agreements for both the overall coaching engagement (formative) and each specific session (sessional). Learn why sessions must be client-led, not coach-led, and how this promotes client ownership and accountability. Coach Jedi breaks down the essential behaviors assessed at the ACC level for this competency, including inviting the client to define the desired outcome, reaching agreement, showing curiosity about the client's connection to the topic, and staying focused on the client's agenda. Avoid common pitfalls like choosing the topic for the client or shifting direction without their agreement.

To help you practice with accuracy and precision, you'll learn the "AIMS" principle: Ask, Illuminate, Map, Stay. This principle serves as a memory aid to guide you in partnering effectively with your clients on the coaching agreement. Remember, mastering coaching is about consistent skill demonstration and creating a deep, authentic space for the client.

Tune in to sharpen your skills and aim higher in your coaching practice!

Key Highlights:

• The podcast series focuses on developing coaching competencies for ACC, PCC, and MCC credential levels.

• Mastering coaching is viewed as a continuous mindset of learning and growth, not just achieving credentials.

• CC3 involves partnering with clients and stakeholders to create clear agreements.

• There are two levels of agreements: overarching/formative (for the whole relationship, including logistics, confidentiality, etc.) and sessional/specific (for each individual coaching session).

• Performance evaluation assesses the coach's ability to demonstrate competencies within a session, focusing on the coach's evidence of behavioural skills at the ACC level rather than the client's outcome.

• At the ACC level, minimum skills for Competency 3 include establishing clarity and depth in the session agreement, partnering/co-creating the agreement and success measures, and attending to the client's agenda throughout the session.

• A critical requirement is that the coach invites the client to identify their desired coaching outcome, and the session is client-led, not coach-led.

• Allowing the client to define and own the topic and outcome fosters accountability and sustainable change.

• Co-creating measures of success helps determine if the session was valuable for the client.

• The coach must stay focused on the client's stated agenda unless the client indicates otherwise, checking in periodically to ensure the conversation is on track or to pivot if the client desires.

• Failing to meet the ACC standard for this competency often involves coach-led behaviors, such as the coach choosing the topic or shifting the agenda without client agreement.

• Mastering coaching is about the consistent demonstration of skills with precision and accuracy.

• The "AIMS" principle is introduced as a memory aid for coaching agreements: Ask, Illuminate, Map, Stay.

• Consistent practice, seeking mentor coaching or supervision, and experiencing coaching are vital for skill development.

Don't forget to check out jedi.coach for more resources and information on upcoming programs. If you found this episode helpful, please follow, share, and leave a review to help others discover The Coach Within podcast.

Want to experience personalized coaching?

Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jedi@jedi.coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—let’s get started to create a transformative experience today.

Let's Brave Your Story.

This episode of "The Coach Within," hosted by Coach Jedi, delves into a key concept in coaching: the coaching mindset. It moves beyond the common confusion between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, explaining that while a growth mindset has merits, it doesn't fully encompass what a coaching mindset is about. The episode emphasizes the importance of embracing the idea that the world within has infinite possibilities and infinite perspectives, as coaches to hold the space for our clients with an agile mindset of learning and empathy.

A central theme is the exploration of the "world that is seen and the world that is unseen". The speaker explains that as we grow, we form internal "rules of life" – unspoken, unwritten rules on our hearts that guide our choices and decisions. These rules are formulated over years from our earliest experiences, influenced by surroundings, family, friends, and life events, serving as a consistent mechanism to protect us. These rules influence our choices daily and, when they become more fixed, contribute to what is sometimes mislabeled as a "fixed mindset". The episode argues that fixed mindsets are not inherently bad and are necessary for certain things, like daily routines, just as rules and doors in a house provide protection and security.

The episode uses the metaphor of an iceberg to illustrate the seen and unseen worlds. What we observe and experience physically is often an interpretation of reality, influenced by our senses and filters. The crucial, unseen part of the iceberg lies beneath the surface – the drivers, motivations, values, beliefs, rules, cultural norms, family culture, and personal viewpoints that influence our choices and how we see the world. This deeper, unseen part is what the coaching process often focuses on. Understanding the unseen world, including these underlying layers (drivers/what, motivations/why, and core rules/who/values/identity), is critical because it impacts and influences everything we can see.

The episode highlights that conflicts and clashes, whether with others or within ourselves, often stem from collisions of these deeper rules and values, like two icebergs meeting. Asking "why are they like that?" is less insightful than understanding the clash of underlying rules and values. Forcing one's rules onto others creates conflict and protest rather than true agreement.

Developing a coaching mindset involves being sensitive to the client's unique "map of the world," understanding that their experience, even of similar events, is filtered through their lens, not ours. Mastery in coaching is not just about certifications but about gaining clarity and mastery of who we are.

The journey of mastery is complex and involves embracing curiosity, learning, humility, and patience. Ultimately, a coaching mindset is about embracing the moment, being sensitive, and understanding one's own worldview and the world one lives in to become a better coach.

Don't forget to check out jedi.coach for more resources and information on upcoming programs. If you found this episode helpful, please follow, share, and leave a review to help others discover The Coach Within podcast.

Want to experience personalized coaching?

Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jedi@jedi.coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—let’s get started to create a transformative experience today.

Let's Brave Your Story.

Welcome back to Ep 9 of Brave Your Story

This episode explores the powerful conversation between regret (yi han 遺憾) and to cherish (zhen xi 珍惜), drawing deep insights from the pictographic nature of traditional Chinese characters. Discover how yi han is not just a mistake, but the lingering ache of something precious that was once near but has moved away. Learn how zhen xi is more than just treasuring; it's a state of being – the act of giving your heart fully to the present moment and holding dear what is precious.

The conversation delves into the heart of coaching presence, highlighting that being a coach is about being, not just doing. It challenges the notion of avoiding regrets, suggesting instead that it's okay to embrace them as part of the human experience. You'll gain insight into how coaches must go deeper within themselves to truly partner with clients through their own regrets and moments of cherishing.

Key takeaways include understanding coaching as a "soul setting" process focused on creating a gentle space for clients to simply be, rather than just solving problems or setting goals. The episode emphasizes that developing presence involves letting go of techniques and embracing authentic connection and the experience of the moment.

Ultimately, the most profound insight shared is that life doesn't require extraordinary moments to be beautiful; it simply requires presence in the ordinary ones. Learn how to cherish the moment now to deny regret its greatest chance to bloom.

Don't forget to check out jedi.coach for more resources and information on upcoming programs. If you found this episode helpful, please follow, share, and leave a review to help others discover The Coach Within podcast.

Want to experience personalized coaching?

Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jedi@jedi.coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—let’s get started to create a transformative experience today.

Let's Brave Your Story.

In this episode, "Mastery in Coaching - Going from Good to Great (Coach vs Client Mindset) Part 4," we delve into the critical interplay between the mindset of the coach and that of the client in the coaching process.

Building upon our previous discussions on the coaching mindset and its foundation of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-development, as well as the six key domains of Coaching Mindset, this episode specifically focuses on the perspectives each party brings to the coaching conversation.

Coach Jedi highlights that in every coaching engagement, two primary mindsets are at play: the coach's and the client's. While acknowledging the influence of sponsors and external stakeholders, this episode hones in on these two crucial roles.

It's important to recognize that clients may enter the coaching relationship with pre-existing worldviews and potentially misconstrued ideas about what coaching entails, possibly drawing parallels to roles like teachers, mentors, or authority figures. Therefore, exploring the client's worldview gently at the outset is critical to understanding their perceived strengths, weaknesses (or opportunities for growth), underlying beliefs, and core values. This initial exploration helps to lay the groundwork for a more effective and trusting partnership.

We also examine the coach's mindset, which Coach Jedi frames as the "coach's growth potential". This encompasses the fundamental belief that everyone, including the client, is capable of growth through effort and ongoing development. Key aspects of the coach's mindset explored in this episode include:

• Radical Curiosity: The authentic and genuine desire to learn more about the client, asking probing questions to evoke deeper awareness and insights, while distinguishing it from mere inquisitiveness.

• Empathic Resonant Listening: Viewing empathy as a two-way street, requiring a reciprocal response and the ability to adjust based on the client's inputs, while suspending judgment and observing both verbal and nonverbal cues.

• Humility and Respect: Emphasizing the importance of showing up authentically for the client with good intention, rather than being driven by ego or the need to impress with credentials or complex language. True humility involves being available for the client, trusting the process, and recognizing that the coaching is about the client's story, not the coach's.

Understanding these distinct yet interconnected mindsets is fundamental to mastering the art of coaching. True mastery is presented not as achieving a certain performance level, but as a deepening and sharpening of one's abilities and an appreciation for the journey.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into how to recognize and navigate both the client's and your own mindset to foster transformative coaching conversations. Discover how to cultivate the essential elements of the coach's mindset to best support your clients in braving their stories and unlocking their full potential.

Reflect on your own mindset and the mindsets of your clients as you listen to this essential episode.

Don't forget to check out jedi.coach for more resources and information on upcoming programs. If you found this episode helpful, please follow, share, and leave a review to help others discover The Coach Within podcast.

Want to experience personalized coaching?

Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jedi@jedi.coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—let’s get started to create a transformative experience today.

Let's Brave Your Story.

Welcome back to the Coach Within with your host, Coach Jedi. In this episode, 'Mastery in Coaching - Going from Good to Great (6 Domains of Coaching Mindset) Part 3',

We delve deeper into the practical application of developing a masterful coaching mindset. Coach Jedi explores the crucial concept that true coaching mastery isn't about accumulating more techniques, but about a profound deepening of self-awareness and a commitment to being truly client-centered.

Discover the foundational importance of self-awareness, self-development, and self-regulation in every coaching conversation.

This episode uncovers six key domains that embody the coaching mindset in practice:

1. Building trust and intimacy through strong client relationships,

2. cultivating deep curiosity and partnership in the conversational flow,

3. mastering the art of listening beyond the surface to the whole of the client,

4. empowering clients by giving them the autonomy to grow and maximize their potential,

5. embracing continuous learning and reflection alongside your clients, and

6. embodying wholeness, resourcefulness, creativity, and flexibility in your coaching presence.

Learn how this integrated coaching mindset is the core of all effective coaching competencies, moving beyond simply applying tools and techniques.

Tune in to gain practical insights on how to cultivate these domains and embark on your journey from good to great in your coaching practice. Reflect on your own development and identify areas for deeper growth in this transformative episode.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Coach Within for more episodes that help you brave your story and ignite the coach within!

Want to experience personalized coaching?

Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠jedi@jedi.coach⁠⁠⁠⁠—let’s get started to create a transformative experience today.

Let's Brave Your Story.

Welcome back to The Coach Within!

In Episode 6, we continue our deep dive into the crucial elements of coaching mastery and what it truly takes to move "From Good to Great." Following our previous discussion on the foundational nature of the coaching mindset, host Coach Jedi now unpacks the three key fundamentals that underpin this essential competency.

This episode reveals that a truly effective coach embodies a specific way of being that goes far beyond mere skills and techniques. Coach Jedi emphasizes that coaching is a mindset, a shift, and the very condition for learning.

Discover the importance of developing and sustaining an "embodied" coaching mindset characterized by openness, curiosity, flexibility, and a deep client-centered focus.

In this episode, you'll learn about the three critical elements that form the bedrock of this powerful mindset:

• Self-Awareness: Building upon previous discussions, Coach Jedi highlights the importance of understanding your role as a coach, how your worldview influences your interactions, and how to tap into your intuition to best support your clients' growth and autonomy.

• Self-Development: Explore the continuous journey of identifying opportunities for growth as both a coach and an individual. This segment delves into understanding your personal learning style beyond simplistic categorizations and emphasizes the value of ongoing learning and engaging in mentor coaching.

• Self-Regulation: Learn how to manage your emotional, mental, and physical state to show up authentically and effectively for your clients. Discover the significance of being present, sensitive to the client's needs, and creating the optimal conditions for their success.

Drawing a powerful analogy to navigating a ship, Coach Jedi illustrates how coaching requires understanding the "undercurrents" and making continuous adjustments rather than rigidly focusing on a predetermined outcome.

This episode underscores that the coaching process is not about providing answers but about co-creating the conditions for learning and enabling the client's curiosity.

Coaching mastery is about showing up authentically and fostering a client-centered environment where individuals can discover their potential, embrace change, and move towards their definition of success.

Tune in to this insightful episode to deepen your understanding of the coaching mindset and gain practical insights into cultivating self-awareness, self-development, and self-regulation in your coaching practice.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Coach Within for more episodes that help you brave your story and ignite the coach within!

Want to experience personalized coaching?

Email ⁠⁠⁠jedi@jedi.coach⁠⁠⁠—let’s get started to create a transformative experience today.

Let's Brave Your Story.

Welcome back to The Coach Within!

In Episode 5, the first installment of our new series on mastering coaching, host Coach Jedi dives into the crucial journey of "Going from Good to Great" by exploring the very foundation: the coaching mindset. Many wonder if coaching mastery lies in accumulating skills and techniques, but this episode reveals that true mastery begins with a fundamental shift in mindset, a concept Coach Jedi terms conversational mastery.

This episode, "Ep5 Mastery in Coaching - Going from Good to Great (The Coaching Mindset) Part 1," lays the groundwork by emphasizing that coaching is not just a role or a set of tools, but rather a skill set, a philosophy, an approach, and an entire mindset shift in the way we communicate. Coach Jedi draws a powerful parallel with martial arts like Aikido, highlighting that just as learning to greet, preparing the ground work and lay the mats builds a strong foundation of humility, persistence, and respect, so too does mastering coaching require a deep understanding of its essence, spirit, philosophy, and values, rather than solely focusing on advanced techniques.

Discover why self-awareness is presented as the cornerstone of the coaching mindset. Coach Jedi explores how understanding ourselves – our ego and how we impact others – is paramount to effective coaching. This episode distinguishes between forced awareness often gained from personality assessments and the evocation of genuine self-awareness through reflection and experience. You'll learn why true growth in coaching necessitates an ongoing journey of self-discovery rather than relying solely on tools to define who you are.

Tune in to Episode 5 to begin cultivating your foundational coaching mindset by prioritizing self-awareness. Understand that going from good to great isn't about steps or credentials, but a fundamental shift in who you are, your attitudes, and your approach to learning. Join Coach Jedi on this journey inward to ignite the coach within and brave your story.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Mastering coaching is about more than just skills and techniques; it's rooted in the coaching mindset.

• Conversational mastery is a key aspect of this mindset, focusing on deep listening, invitation, and collaboration.

• Self-awareness is the foundational element that underpins effective coaching.

• True self-awareness is a journey of self-discovery, not just a result of assessments.

• The principles of foundational learning in martial arts offer valuable insights into mastering coaching.

• Going from good to great is a mindset shift, not a linear process of acquiring more skills.

Don't miss the beginning of this insightful series that will help you unlock your potential to move from good to great in your coaching journey!

Subscribe to The Coach Within for more thought-provoking reflections and practical tools.

Want to experience personalized coaching?

Email ⁠⁠jedi@jedi.coach⁠⁠—let’s get started to create a transformative experience today.

Let's Brave Your Story.