The AC Podcast 257: Power Dynamics in Coaching Supervision: Naming, Navigating and Sharing It
How does power truly manifest in coaching supervision? In this episode, host Helen O’Grady sits down with executive coach and supervisor, Shruti Sonthalia to unpack the often overlooked but critical dimension of power in supervision. Together, they explore how power is an inherent element of all human relationships and why acknowledging its presence is essential for supervisors, coaches, and leaders. From "power over" and "power under" to cultivating shared power, this episode dives deep into the ways identity, privilege, and cultural context influence supervision relationships.
Listeners will hear what red flags indicate power imbalance, and practical strategies that foster shared power in supervision. The conversation also sheds light on systemic dynamics, the challenges supervisors face in balancing relational warmth with ethical responsibility, and the transformative potential of curiosity and humility. If you’re a coach, coaching supervisor, or leader coach seeking to navigate complex dynamics with greater self-awareness and impact, this episode offers a rich and thought-provoking guide to embodying shared power.
Key Learning Points:
· Why power is an unavoidable and essential element of all coaching supervision relationships
· How supervisors can consciously foster shared power dynamic within the coaching supervision relationship
· The impact of broader systemic and identity issues on a shared power relationship
“When you are able to name what needs to be named and really listen to the unspoken, you are in service to both the coach and the larger systems they serve and the power dynamics that might exist in the systems.”
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