The AC Podcast

Have you ever considered how fear influences coaching dynamics – the fears of the client, but also the coach? In this enlightening conversation, Robin Shohet, a supervisor of nearly 50 years, joins our host, Dina Sabry Fivaz, to delve into topics such as the interplay between coaching and therapy, the barriers of self-deception and the blocks created by the idea of a separate identity. Robin talks profoundly about fear, how it shapes our conversations, judgements and perspectives, as well as how it blocks love in relationships. He shares how helping clients to overcome fears that block love, has become a focus of his work. Robin explains why interruptions can sometimes be a vital tool, and how shifting from finite goals to infinite possibilities can transform the coaching experience. Whether you're a coach, therapist or someone curious about personal development, this episode encourages a holistic and spiritually aware approach, aiming to foster deeper connections and personal growth. You will learn: · Exercises to help recognise and address fears and blocks to love within yourself and your clients · How moving beyond separate identities opens the door to deeper love and connection, and why addressing fear is essential to this process · Why breaking the cycle of repetitive thinking through intentional interruption can guide clients toward profound awareness and change. "Once you bring fear to consciousness, it doesn't have the same power. But it has a lot of power when it's not made conscious, and it comes out as all sorts of distorted behaviour." For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools-fear-love-connection

The transformative role of love in coaching and leadership is explored by leadership development and consultant coach, Helena Clayton and our host Dina Sabry Fivaz . Helena shares insights from her research on love in the workplace, highlighting its various definitions and application in coaching, leadership and organizational relationships. They discuss themes like radical acceptance, unconditional positive regard, fostering connection and belonging. Helena emphasizes the critical role of self-awareness, objectivity, and transparency in creating a coaching space rooted in love while maintaining professional boundaries. She highlights the growing interest in love as a leadership tool, exploring its potential to foster supportive, empathetic workplaces that drive personal and organizational growth. You will learn: · The significance of love in coaching and leadership · Different definitions of love and their implications for coaching relationships · Whether a coach can ever be truly neutral and what that means for the coaching dynamic ""When people showed up with pain, struggle, difficulty, whatever they were looking to work on, I noticed so clearly that when those things were met with love, then there was healing."" For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools-love-leadership

In this enlightening episode, Aboodi Shabi, seasoned coach and lecturer joins host, Dina Sabry Fivaz, to delve into the spiritual function of coaching and its transformative role in today's fast-paced world. Together, they trace the evolution of coaching from the optimistic lens of the 1990s to its current focus on addressing the deeper emotional and existential needs of clients in an unstable world. Aboodi shares insights on the harm caused by our hyper-productive, capitalist society, where pausing is often undervalued. He contrasts this with ancient spiritual practices that honour rest and stillness as essential for connection and growth. He connects this with how a fast-paced culture can affect coaching practices and how there is a need to prioritize meaning over mere productivity. Aboodi discusses how coaching provides a sanctuary for reflection, emotional presence and deeper self-connection and acceptance as well as the role of shared experiences and community in fostering a sense of belonging and emotional safety. This episode offers valuable perspectives for coaches, clients, and anyone seeking greater self-awareness, purpose, and fulfilment. You will learn: · The spiritual role of coaching · The distinction between surface-level goals and exploring deeper emotional and spiritual issues · The value of creating a coaching space that allows for pausing, rest and emotional expression "I think part of coaching is allowing people to talk about their strandedness that we're all doing our best to deny. And it is, again, it's creating the space for that stranded voice to be heard." For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools-spiritual-function-meaning

Maria Iliffe-Wood, a seasoned coach and author, joins our host Dina Sabry Fivaz to explore presence, intuition and inner wisdom in the coaching process. They discuss what is meant by intuition and inner wisdom, how to access it and how to harness it whilst working with clients. Maria shares the significance of being present with clients, trusting one's intuitions and the concept of the "invisible coach." She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in cultivating intuition and the value of reflective practices for deeper insights. Maria explains the difference between ego-driven thoughts and heart-centred intuition, sharing how silence allows her to access her heart, rather than her head. By fostering presence and trusting their instincts, coaches can access profound insights that guide transformative conversations, enriching their practice and helping clients achieve meaningful breakthroughs. You will learn: · What inner wisdom and intuition are · The link between presence and inner wisdom · How a coach can develop intuition "My passion is really helping people to remind them of their inner wisdom, their intuition, how to find it, how to trust in it more, and the gateway to that is presence." For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_coaching-beyond-tools_intuition-inner-wisdom-presence

John Leary-Joyce, a seasoned Gestalt coach and therapist with 45 years of experience, joins coach Dina Sabry Fivaz for a deep dive into the transformative power of 'self' in coaching. They discuss how a coach's internal reactions and personal experiences can significantly enhance client awareness. The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity and self-disclosure, advocating for a coaching relationship built on transparency and connection. Listeners will discover how awareness and relational dynamics foster deeper growth and healing.

In the first episode of our new podcast series, A Day in the Life Of, host Maxine Bell sits down with Anita Sauvage, an executive and post-cancer coach. This series will bring you warm, authentic conversations with real coaches about their real lives, diving deep into the realities of coaching that are often hidden behind social media's glossy facade. We will explore the real-life challenges, rewards, and insights of working as a coach. This series is perfect for anyone on their own coaching journey or curious about the world of professional coaching. Stay tuned for new episodes throughout the year! In this first inspiring conversation, Anita opens up about her journey into coaching, which began 17 years ago after a life-changing cancer diagnosis. She shares her gratitude for Maggie's, a charitable organization that supported her and now benefits from her expertise as a volunteer post-cancer coach. As the Chair of the Association for Coaching (AC) France and an active member of the AC Europe Hub, Anita also sheds light on the unique cultural challenges of being a coach in France. She speaks passionately about the sense of belonging and openness she finds within the AC community. Anita discusses the freedom and fulfilment she experiences as a coach, highlighting her three main challenges: supporting mental health and wellness, embracing cultural awareness, and remembering that each post-cancer client brings a unique story. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and how introducing pauses in a coaching session can create powerful moments of growth. Key takeaways: · Why post-cancer coaching is essential for long-term wellness and support. · The power of "pausing" in both coaching sessions and your daily life for self-care and effectiveness. · The benefits of joining the Association for Coaching, a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to learning and support. Be inspired by Anita's journey, her dedication to her clients, and her top coaching tips that every coach can benefit from. Whether you're a new coach or an experienced professional, this episode offers insights and encouragement to enrich your practice. "Post-cancer coaching is about giving people time and space to recover emotionally and physically, to build their self-confidence and discover their needs." For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_day-in-the-life-of-coaches-Anita-Sauvage-cancer-culture-coachingtips

Blaire Palmer, former BBC journalist turned leadership coach and author of 'Punks and Suits', joins executive coach and host, Simone Sweeney, to explore how coaches can best support the dynamic evolution of leadership in today's world. Blaire shares her journey from journalism to leadership coaching 25 years ago and the transformative insights she gained along the way. The discussion dives deep into the future of leadership, focusing on the importance of self-awareness, human-centred strategies, and adapting to rapidly evolving organizational challenges. Blair reveals key takeaways from her book, emphasizing the need for leaders to resolve organizational tensions, foster creativity, and uphold a clear mission. The conversation explores how modern leadership demands personal development, relationship-building and a willingness to be uncomfortable challenging long-held beliefs, as well as examining why out-dated education and business practices aren't working anymore. They also discuss the role of AI and technology in enabling human qualities to be fully engaged at work. Blair urges coaches to hold leaders accountable and take responsibility for pushing them to uphold higher standards in business. Tune in to this insightful, provocative episode to learn how leaders can adapt, connect, and inspire in the face of modern challenges! You will learn · Techniques and tips for coaches to support more accountable, self-aware leaders · Why exclusively 1 to 1 coaching is not enough to create a great leader · Blair's vision for the future of leadership and a more human workplace "If we could make work feel just much more human and acknowledge that when you wake up in the morning, you wake up in a different frame of mind each day, we would value their humanity so much more." For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_future-leadership-human_qualities-challenges-systemic

Yusuf Bayez, visionary leader and leader coach, joins executive coach Simone Sweeney to explore the core principles and qualities of effective leadership. Drawing from years of experience, they discuss the importance of human-centric leadership, emphasising self-awareness and effective communication as vital skills for successful leaders. Yusuf also highlights the need for genuine empathy, manners and respect in leadership. Having worked across the globe, they dive into the importance and impact of different workplace cultures, the role of personal values and the importance of fostering a supportive work environment. Discover how recognising individual contributions and encouraging personal growth can drive team engagement and high performance. Yusuf also shares his thoughts on the limitations of AI technology in leadership, the need for human connection and how to stay human when things get tough. He shares how coaching has assisted his growth as a leader and supported the development of emotional regulation and intelligence within teams. This is a thought-provoking conversation with insights from a leader who successfully walks his talk, inspiring us all to become human-centric leaders. You will learn: · What workplace culture is and why it matters · How to connect with and build a bond with your team · The importance of feedback and how to filter feedback to ensure it is from people who have a genuine interest in you as an individual "Because you have a title, it doesn't make you a leader. I don't think it is an entitlement or a title at all." For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_future-leadership-human_leadercoach-connection-culture-communication

Daniel Goleman, renowned psychologist and author known as the “father of emotional intelligence,” discusses why EI is crucial for today's leaders with host Simone Sweeney. They examine the four key components of emotional intelligence and how these traits can inspire and motivate teams, contrasting them with outdated perfectionist styles. Goleman shares tools for self-awareness, resilience, and stress management. They also explore how introverted leaders can effectively forge genuine connections, proving that human qualities remain indispensable, even in a tech-centric world.

Peter Greedy, coach and leadership consultant, joins host Simone Sweeney to delve into the complexities of leadership and what happens when it becomes toxic. Peter shares his insights about toxic leadership from his own experience in the workplace, and the fifteen years spent in a religious cult, that now drives his passion for good leadership. They discuss the impact of toxic leadership on individuals, teams and organizations and how to differentiate between effective leadership behaviours and toxic behaviours. They also examine the critical role of emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and the willingness to open dialogue when issues arise. Peter highlights the need for leaders to be self-aware, open to feedback, and intentional in their actions to foster healthier, more productive workplaces. This episode underscores the importance of not ignoring toxic leadership and to finding resolutions for the benefit of everyone. You will learn: · The importance of psychological safety and what happens when it is not available. · The significance of personal values and behaviours in defining leadership · The role of coaching in addressing toxic behaviours and fostering resilience "There is a consequence to bad behaviour, whatever you want to call it—toxicity and psychological safety and the lack of it at work can become truly traumatic." For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_future-leadership-human_toxicity-behaviours-values