The AC Podcast 271: Why Naming Love in Coaching Can Transform Leadership with Clare Norman
In this thought-provoking episode, host, Helena Clayton sits down with coach, supervisor and author Clare Norman to explore the transformative power of love in coaching, leadership, and organizational life. Drawing on their 15-year professional connection, they unpack how love—specifically agape, unconditional love—differs from empathy, compassion, and care, and why naming love explicitly can shift the depth and quality of coaching relationships. Claire shares real-life examples about how coaching and supervision becomes a deeply human-centred practice when viewed through the 'lens of love.'
Together, they explore the practicalities of integrating love into coaching and the ethical boundaries needed when working with themes that can intersect with trauma, mental health, and personal history. The conversation highlights how love can become a bold revolutionary force in organizations and a catalyst for improved workplace culture and humancentric leadership —while also reinforcing professionalism, ethical rigour, and psychological safety. This episode offers both challenge and inspiration for coaches and supervisors seeking to work more bravely and compassionately.
You will learn:
· How to introduce love as a professional coaching lens
· The importance of inner work for this work - in breaking down a coach's barriers to being loving
· The importance of ethics and contracting when bringing love into coaching and supervision
'I notice an extra notch in myself as I'm listening with love or through a stance of love; there's just something additive in that listening.'
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