Coaching with Confidence and Care

Episode 12: Finding Your First Coaching Clients

If you're a coach-in-training, a freshly certified practitioner, or simply someone who feels stuck between wanting to help and fearing you’re not “ready” yet, this episode is for you. You probably have a lot of questions about how to find clients, how to talk about your coaching, and whether it’s okay to charge for your services yet.
As a coach educator, mentor and supervisor, I have worked with many coaches navigating these exact challenges. In this episode, I share honest, practical advice based on experience. Just the things that work.
It is ok to be new. Being clear and transparent builds trust more than pretending to be an expert ever will.
You’ll hear about:
Ways to collect evidence of your skills, even early in your training;
How to introduce yourself and your coaching authentically and ethically, with practical examples of phrases you can use;
How to deal with rejection and why that’s not about you personally;
Using CustDev interviews to connect and really understand what your future clients need;
Practical ways to set your fees and offer packages that make sense for you and your clients.
If this episode helped, share it with a fellow coach who's in the same boat.
Let’s connect!
Want to bring more presence, confidence, and clarity to your coaching? I am here for that.
DM me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/) or visit upthinkcoaching.com to explore supervision, mentoring, or our accredited coach training programs.
Our next PCC Path (Advanced Cohort) begins in September, and the ACC Path (Level 1) opens in November.
Download our FREE workbook "Reflective Practice For Coaches" at https://upthinkcoaching.com/for-coaches/
Looking forward to supporting you on your journey.

Episode 11: Coaching the Who

What does it really mean to coach the “Who” and why do we talk about that often in coaching?
In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I’m addressing one of the most frequently discussed ideas in coach training: coaching the whole person. You’ve probably heard the phrase in mentor feedback, ICF performance assessments, or coach training sessions. My goal for this episode is to explain it in a clear and practical way.
If you’re working toward your PCC credential, or simply want to have more meaningful conversations with clients, I hope you’ll find this episode useful.
We’ll explore:
What “coaching the Who” really means and how it differs from "coaching the What";
The psychological foundations of identity and their connection to the “Who”;
Reasons to do the Who work in coaching;
Common traps that keep coaches stuck at the “What” level;
Skills coaches need to develop to work at the level of identity
Tune in and let’s explore it together.
Get in touch:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
Email: Luba@upthinkcoaching.com
Website: www.upthinkcoaching.com\
Explore ICF-accredited coach training programs, mentor coaching and supervision: https://www.upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development

Finding Your Coaching Style

In this episode, we dive into one of the most personal and relatively common puzzles in coaching: “How do I find my own coaching style?”It’s the question that emerges during the certification, resurfaces during tricky sessions, and shows up again when we compare ourselves to other coaches. We explore what holds coaches back from showing up with authenticity, how our training might sometimes wire us to sound like someone else, and how to go about finding your voice (spoiler: this isn’t just about technique).
I will also unpack what “inner permission” means in this context. The kind that lets you bring more of yourself into the session: your intuition, your language, and your edge. We’ll talk about a possible tension between being present and being polished, between being yourself and being “professional.” And we explore how you can bring your full presence to coaching without losing sight of yourself or your client.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether it’s okay to sound less like a textbook and more like you, then this episode is for you. Your coaching voice might be closer than you think.
Get in touch:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
Email: Luba@upthinkcoaching.com
Website: www.upthinkcoaching.com
Explore ICF-accredited coach training programs, mentor coaching and supervision: https://www.upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/

Handling Disappointment in Coaching

Let’s face it — disappointment happens in coaching. Maybe your client expected more progress, or perhaps you feel coaching does not work for them. Something just does not feel right!In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I’ll talk about what might be causing that disappointment and how you can turn those tricky moments into opportunities for growth. We’ll explore how to address these feelings head-on, validate your client’s experience, and keep communication open to ensure that both you and your client are on the same page. I’ll also share some questions you can ask to keep your coaching relationship strong and aligned.
This episode is for:
Coaches who want to navigate those awkward moments with clients with empathy and confidence.
Mentors looking for fresh insights to share with their mentees.
Anyone curious about personal development and emotional dynamics in relationships.
And don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll dive into balancing your unique coaching style while keeping the spotlight on your clients.
Get in touch:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
Email: Luba@upthinkcoaching.com
Website: www.upthinkcoaching.com
Explore ICF-accredited coach training programs, mentor coaching and supervision: https://www.upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development
 
 

Reflective Advent Calendar | Coaching. Podcast for Coaches.

In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I invite you to slow down with me and reflect on the year — not just on your coaching practice, but on yourself as a person and a professional After all, our coaching style is about how we show up, bringing into each session exactly what we carry within us — no more and no less.
I’ll share my December tradition: a Reflective Advent Calendar. It is a playful yet meaningful way to connect with your experiences, both personal and professional. You’ll hear about five of my favorite reflection prompts, and these prompts will be my invitation to you to step back and appreciate the lessons this year has offered.
Grab your favorite pen, settle in, and let’s reflect together.By the way, we have a wonderful free Reflective Practice Workbook for coaches. You can get your copy here:
https://upthinkcoaching.com/for-coaches/
 
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
Explore Our Coach Training Programs, Mentoring and Supervision with Me:
https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/

Creating a Smooth Session Flow

In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I’m inviting you to explore a topic that comes up often in my work as a coach trainer, mentor, and supervisor: creating a smooth flow in coaching sessions.
As coaches, we’ve all experienced sessions that feel like a seamless dance, and others that seem scattered or disjointed. What makes the difference?
You will discover:
The deeper role of trust in the coaching process—trust in the client, the session, and yourself.
How to anchor insights within the client’s larger narrative for impactful outcomes.
Practical ways to weave a cohesive session through clear agreements, presence, partnership and working with emerging insights.
Whether you’re a newly trained coach or looking to refine your skills, this episode may offer some food for thought and actionable strategies to balance spontaneity with intentionality and help your clients achieve lasting results.
Tune in.
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
Explore Our Coach Training Programs, Mentoring and Supervision with Me:
https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/

Global Listening | Coaching Skills

Episode 6: Global Listening
Seeing the Forest, Not Just the Trees
In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I’m talking about a skill that can take your coaching to the next level: global listening.
As coaches, we’re all familiar with active listening — it’s a foundational skill. But have you ever felt overwhelmed by a client’s lengthy story, unsure of which thread to follow? That’s where global listening comes in. It’s about stepping back, shifting your perspective, and tuning into the bigger picture.
I’ll share my view on how global listening complements detailed listening, helping you avoid getting lost in the weeds and instead attune to the themes, patterns, and unspoken elements of a client’s narrative. You’ll also hear practical tips for cultivating this skill.
If you want to refine your active listening, this episode will provide insights to help you hold space for complexity and bring more depth to your coaching conversations.
Ready to expand your listening repertoire? Tune in!
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
Explore Our Coach Training Programs, Mentoring and Supervision with Me:
https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/
In the next episode, we’ll explore how to create a fluid and seamless session flow. See you then!

Episode 5: Cultural Sensitivity for Coaches. Intercultural Coaching

Hi! In this episode of Coaching with Confidence and Care, I’m talking about cultural sensitivity and cultural humility for coaches. Coaching across cultures is such an exciting opportunity, but let’s be real — it’s not always straightforward. How do we navigate differences in communication styles, build trust, and manage our own biases while doing our best work at that?
I’ll share stories from my years of intercultural coaching and coach training, with clients from over 45 countries, and break down what I’ve learned along the way. You’ll hear about handling cultural nuances, like how trust is built differently across cultures, or why “direct” feedback isn’t always a universal win. I’ll also offer practical tips — like using Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions to understand where clients are coming from and shaping a coaching approach that feels respectful and inclusive.
Whether you’re coaching globally, working with culturally diverse teams, or just curious about how cultural sensitivity and humility can enhance your practice, this episode brings you some insights and tools you can use right away.
Tune in!Useful Links:
https://geerthofstede.com/ - The 6-D model of national culture
https://upthinkcoaching.com/for-coaches/ - Our free workbook "Reflective Practice for Coaches".
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/
Explore Our Coach Training Programs, Mentoring and Supervision with Me:
https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/

Episode 4: Deeper Coaching vs Therapy

In today’s episode, we explore a common question among coaches: where does deep coaching end and therapy begin? Whether you're a new coach or preparing for your advanced PCC credential, we’ll dive into the overlaps and distinctions, and how to navigate emotional conversations while staying true to your coaching role.www.upthinkcoaching.comLuba@upthinkcoaching.comConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/

Episode 3: What to do when a coaching topic is too big.

Have you ever had a client bring a topic so big it feels like too much for one session? It can make you wonder where to start. In this episode, we'll explore what to do in such situations. Knowing how to handle these moments is what helps you stay grounded and deepen your client’s trust.www.upthinkcoaching.comConnect on LinkedIn