In October, I achieved my PCC (Professional Certified Coach) credential with the ICF, a milestone that reflects not just hours of practice but deep learning, personal growth, and an ever-expanding appreciation for the art of coaching!
When I look back, it’s not just the technical skills or competency frameworks that stand out — it’s the subtle, human lessons that transformed how I coach. So today, I want to share five key lessons that shaped and supported me along the way.
1️⃣ Who Over What: The Real Work of Coaching
Early in my journey, I often got caught up in my clients’ stories — the details of what happened, their goals, their challenges. The dreaded question of ‘why’ I soon learned to let go of in place of ‘what’s important about…’ what they’re sharing. Coaching isn’t about solving what’s happening; it’s about who the coachee is within their story.
Behind every challenge is a deeper layer:
- A belief holding them back.
- A value being compromised.
- An emotional pattern shaping their choices.
The moment I started listening beyond the surface — tuning into the client’s identity, values, and inner narrative — my coaching shifted from transactional to transformational.
2️⃣ The Power of Subtle Shifts
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is that real breakthroughs often arrive in whispers, not shouts.
I used to listen for big ‘aha’ moments — bold insights, clear decisions. But true coaching mastery lies in noticing the tiny, almost invisible shifts:
- A pause before answering.
- A sudden contradiction in their words.
- A change in energy — lighter, heavier, hesitant.
Clients often don’t realize these shifts themselves, but when we reflect them back, it unlocks powerful self-awareness. Coaching isn’t just about listening; it’s about noticing.
3️⃣ Reflection, Not Rescue
As coaches, we most likely(!) care deeply about people. But that caring can sometimes slip into fixing — offering solutions, giving advice, or gently nudging them toward clarity.
Traditional coaching gave answers; think of the classic sports coach telling the team, positively, what do next to reach their goal or championship. Developmental (modern day) coaching, however, doesn’t give answers — it invites clients to discover their own; more like a personal trainer at the gym, we are not going to do the heavy lifting of the weights, but remain by the side of coachee as they do.
Instead of:
“Have you tried doing X?”
I learned to say:
“I notice you keep coming back to this challenge. What’s drawing you there?”
Instead of:
“It sounds like you need to set a boundary.”
I learned to say:
“What do you need from this situation?”
The most powerful tool we have isn’t expertise — it’s curious, non-judgmental reflection. Hold up a mirror, not a roadmap.
4️⃣ Silence Does the Heavy Lifting
I was always comfortable with silence even before arriving into the wonderful world of coaching. However, if a client paused, I would find myself wanting to fill the space — to reframe, to clarify, to help (maybe even my ego wanting to be heard??)
But I’ve since learned that silence isn’t empty — it’s full of possibility.
In the quiet, insights emerge.
- Silence gives coachees space to hear themselves think.
- Silence allows emotions to settle and surface.
- Silence signals that we trust the coachee to find their way.
Now, instead of rushing to fill a gap, I lean into it. Because more often than not, the most profound moments in coaching happen in stillness, not words.
5️⃣ You Are the Tool: Coaching from the Inside Out
As coaches, we spend a lot of time honing techniques, learning models, and refining our craft. But one of the biggest shifts I experienced was realizing that I am my own best coaching tool.
- My emotions signal what’s happening in the space.
- My body gives me clues — am I feeling tension? Excitement? Hesitation? How is that connected?
- My intuition offers insights that logic alone can’t always access.
Masterful coaching isn’t just about doing something — it’s about being fully present. When we tune into ourselves, we can tune into our clients in a whole new way.
The Mastery & Art of Coaching: A Never-Ending Journey
These lessons aren’t just things I’ve learned — they are who I am as I continue to practice, refine, and explore every day. Because coaching is never ‘done.’ It’s an art we continually develop, a craft that evolves with us. To discover more of this mindset, why not read my book which I wrote as a reflective practice through my journey to PCC : The Ultimate Coaching Handbook – 10 Ways to Support Your Practice.
Beyond self-promotion(!) it’s also why I will always invite ‘people who like people’, leaders and future coaches (who are committed to deepening their professional skills) to join Nova Terra – Coach Training and Consultancy Solutions, Brussels for their ‘Mastery & Art of Coaching’ program.
Beyond ticking competency boxes — it’s about:
Refining the subtleties of your coaching presence
Fine-tuning your ability to notice what’s beneath the words
Expanding your confidence to trust yourself as a coaching tool
If you’re interested to move beyond technique and into true mastery, this is the place for you. And full disclosure, I am biased, because after my training, they invited me to work with them. But, the beauty of being self-employed/independent is that I have a choice. I have agency. I don’t have to work with them. I choose to work with them because they are equally as passionate about coaching and transformational change, one conversation at a time.
Nova Terra is a distinguished coaching and consultancy organization based in Brussels, Belgium, dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential. They offer a range of services, including bespoke coaching, ICF-accredited training programs, and enterprise consulting solutions, all designed to foster personal and professional growth.
One of their flagship offerings is the Mastery & Art of Coaching program, which is divided into two levels:
- Level 1: This phase introduces participants to the eight core coaching competencies established by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). It’s an immersive journey where individuals discover the inner workings of one of the most powerful coaching tools available: themselves. Upon completion, participants are equipped to begin their practice as coaches, certified as ICF Level One trained Coaches by Nova Terra.
- Level 2: Designed for coaches aiming to elevate their practice to a professional level, this phase delves deeper into the ICF’s core competencies. Over fourteen days, participants engage in modules that enrich their practice, covering topics such as emotional intelligence, values and beliefs, and supervised practice sessions. Successful completion prepares the pathway for coaches to become credentialed the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) level.
For more information about Nova Terra and their Mastery & Art of Coaching program, visit their official website: www.novaterracoaching.com
