253: Dancing with Uncertainty: Developmental Artistry in Coaching and Supervision

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Jul 28, 2025

Neel Arya, an executive coach and supervisor, discusses the transformative concept of developmental artistry, which he co-developed with Carissa Bub. They delve into embracing uncertainty and experimentation in coaching, advocating for a creative, embodied approach. Neel shares insights on the significance of cultural dimensions and personal growth, using artistic techniques to foster awareness. The importance of playfulness and presence shines through, encouraging coaches to explore beyond rigid structures. Listeners are invited to join his upcoming Dark Workshop series.

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INSIGHT

Essence of Developmental Artistry

Developmental artistry frees coaches from rigid models, focusing on embodied and experiential learning.
It encourages letting go of intellectual control to access deeper, felt intelligence during coaching.

INSIGHT

Embracing Uncertainty Requires Courage

Developmental artistry involves embracing uncertainty and experimentation with a playful spirit.
This approach requires courage to overcome education and career conditioning favoring control and certainty.

ADVICE

Facilitate Emergent Conversations

Invite clients to have emergent conversations without fixed structure to adapt to complexity.
Regularly check in to assess progress and collaboratively decide when coaching goals are met.

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In this fascinating episode, host Helen O’Grady is joined by executive coach and coach supervisor Neel Arya to talk about developmental artistry - a creative, embodied approach to coaching and supervision and its relevance in times of significant change. Neel explains how this philosophy, co-developed with Carissa Bub, encourages practitioners to embrace uncertainty, experimentation, and the exploration of liminal spaces – the ‘messy middle’ of growth - and their significance in the developmental process. Neel explains cultural dimensions and individual personality's influence on the openness to developmental artistry, and they discuss using creative techniques, such as works of art and poetry, to foster deeper awareness and learning.

The conversation highlights the importance of presence, playfulness, and courage, challenging traditional reliance on structured models and inviting coaches to explore emergent, experiential ways of knowing. Neel also shares his experience using the dark and invites listeners to join his Dark Workshop series this autumn, using the discount code found on the AC website below.

You will learn:

· The concept of ‘developmental artistry’ in coaching and supervision

· How to apply developmental artistry for both experienced and novice coaches

· How the dark can be used to explore liminal spaces

“What we're trying to do with development artistry is, is to say, well, actually, how might we go about the art of development by really focusing in on the embodied, the experiential, the emergent things which are entangled…to move out of, out of our heads into a deeper, more natural felt sense and embodied intelligence. And to learn and to develop through experience.”

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For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:

https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-coaching-supervision-uncovered-developmental-artistry-emergent