Coaching with Confidence and Care

In this episode, we explore what makes a coaching question truly powerful and why lists of powerful questions are useless.
I see powerful questions as an emergent outcome of a coach’s presence, listening, relational attunement, and capacity to stay with uncertainty. Powerful questions do not come from performance or preparation; they arise when the right internal and relational conditions are in place.
Much of the difficulty coaches experience with asking impactful questions has little to do with not knowing what to ask, and much more to do with how they listen, how attached they are to outcomes, and how comfortable they are with ambiguity, discomfort, and vulnerability, both their own and the client’s.
In this episode, I explore:
What defines a powerful question and how it differs from content-deepening or information-gathering questions
How trust, relational presence, and generative listening create the conditions for impactful questions to emerge
The role of timing, attunement, and emotional readiness in whether a question lands or falls flat
How noticing what is not being said (somatic cues, emotional shifts, gaps, or contradictions) can lead to deeper inquiry
Practical ways to work with frames of reference, assumptions, and systemic patterns in a client’s thinking
Why powerful questions are closely linked to the coach’s own tolerance for ambiguity, complexity, and not knowing.
If you find yourself searching for the “right” question, worrying about sounding “insightful enough”, or feeling pressure to perform as a coach, this episode offers a grounded, relational, and psychologically informed way to rethink what powerful questions really are and where they come from.
Coming up next:
In the next episode, we shift to a more practical focus on laser coaching: how to work effectively and with depth in short, focused conversations, particularly relevant for leaders and coaches working within tight time constraints.
Enjoy Other Free Materials:
Free Coaching Course for People Leaders: upthinkcoaching.podia.com/basic-coaching-skills-for-new-leaders
Mock ICF Credentialing Exam (PCC, MCC) from UpThink Coaching: podia.com/mock-icf-credentialing-exam-pcc-mcc
PCC Marker Demo: upthinkcoaching.podia.com/pcc-marker-demo-session
Next ICF-Accredited Coach Training Programs (designed for coaches who want to work at depth):
ACC Path: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/become-a-coach/
PCC Path: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/the-path-to-excellence-for-certified-coaches/

In this episode, let’s explore one of the most common questions that comes up in coach training and mentor coaching: how to establish clear and meaningful measures of success for a coaching session.
Rather than treating measures of success as a technical requirement or a box to tick during contracting, let’s look at them as a relational practice that serves the client first. Measures of success are not there to help the coach manage the session; they help the client clarify what would make the conversation truly useful, satisfying, or complete for them.
Much of the difficulty coaches experience with measures of success has little to do with not knowing how to ask the question, and much more to do with presence, listening, and the ability to stay with uncertainty. Working with measures of success often mirrors a coach’s own relationship with uncertainty, time, and results.
In this episode, I explore:
Common patterns that make measures of success feel elusive or “hard to get”
How presence, deep listening, and curiosity allow success criteria to emerge naturally
Different ways clients define success, including internal shifts, emotional resolution, learning, clarity, or a felt sense of completion
Practical ways to recognize and co-create measures of success using the client’s own language
If you find yourself unsure whether you are “doing contracting right,” or if measures of success sometimes feel awkward, forced, or overly formal, this episode offers a grounded and relational way to think about them.
Coming up next:
In the next episode, we shift to a very practical focus on the art of asking powerful questions by looking at what makes a question impactful, deep, and capable of opening something new in the client’s thinking.
 
Enjoy Other Free Materials:
Free Coaching Course for People Leaders: upthinkcoaching.podia.com/basic-coaching-skills-for-new-leaders
Mock ICF Credentialing Exam (PCC, MCC) from UpThink Coaching: podia.com/mock-icf-credentialing-exam-pcc-mcc
PCC Marker Demo: upthinkcoaching.podia.com/pcc-marker-demo-session
Next ICF-Accredited Coach Training Programs (designed for coaches who want to work at depth):
ACC Path: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/become-a-coach/
PCC Path: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/the-path-to-excellence-for-certified-coaches/
 

This final episode of the year is a reflective exploration of unlearning.
In this final episode of the year, I spend some time with the idea of unlearning as making space for something new to emerge in our coaching. I look at unlearning not as erasing old patterns, but as creating the conditions for new responses to emerge.
Much of what coaches struggle with in training, mentoring, and supervision is not a lack of knowledge, but difficulty letting go of control, performance, over-reliance on technique, or the need to be helpful in familiar ways. This episode looks closely at how those patterns form, what keeps them in place, and what helps loosen them safely.
In this episode, I explore:
Why unlearning is a necessary part of developing presence, listening, and relational responsiveness
The difference between knowing something cognitively and being able to embody it
What experienced coaches often need to unlearn as they move toward greater mastery
Qualities that support an unlearning mindset
The episode closes with a set of reflective questions you can use to look back on the past year not in terms of what you’ve learned, but what you’ve let go of, softened, or stopped doing in your coaching.
If you’re ending the year in a reflective mood and thinking about how you want to grow next  not just in skills, but in how you are as a coach, this episode offers a gentle place to pause before the new year begins.
Coming up next:We start the new year with a practical focus on how to define clear and meaningful measures of success for a coaching session, especially when clients bring topics that feel big, vague, or abstract.
Enjoy Other Free Materials:
Free Coaching Course for People Leaders: upthinkcoaching.podia.com/basic-coaching-skills-for-new-leaders
Mock ICF Credentialing Exam (PCC, MCC) from UpThink Coaching: podia.com/mock-icf-credentialing-exam-pcc-mcc
PCC Marker Demo: upthinkcoaching.podia.com/pcc-marker-demo-session
Next ICF-Accredited Coach Training Programs (designed for coaches who want to work at depth): Spring of 2026, exact dates TBCCheck out our website

This episode takes a careful look at the Revised ICF Core Coaching Competencies released in 2025 as a professional reflection on what these changes signal about the maturity of our field and the evolving role of the coach.
I walk through each competency and highlight where language has shifted, where expectations have deepened, and where the emphasis has moved.
We explore why some competencies remained unchanged, why others expanded, and what this tells us about how ICF now understands coaching practice in a global, complex, and increasingly relational context.
In this episode, we cover:
What remained stable and why that stability matters for the profession
What’s really new in Competency 2 (Coaching Mindset), and why supervision and reflective practice are no longer optional
What it means to have bias, culture, technology, and well-being explicitly named as professional responsibilities
What the addition of “knowledge” in Competency 7 means and what it does not mean.
Throughout the episode, I share reflections from my work as a coach, coach educator, mentor coach, and supervisor, including how these changes intersect with relational dynamics and the often-unseen impact a coach has on the learning space.
If you’re preparing for an ICF credential, mentoring other coaches, supervising practitioners, or simply trying to stay up-to-date about how coaching is evolving, this episode may provide some food for thought about what is being asked of us now professionally.
If the conversation resonates, feel free to share it with a colleague you’re already discussing these changes with.
Coming up next:I’ll choose a final topic to close out the year. The theme is still taking shape. Join me for one more episode before the end of 2025.
Would you like to support the podcast?
 Here’s a donation link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/LiubovDiasamidzeExplore My Other Resources to Deepen Your Coaching Skills:
Mock ICF Credentialing Exam (https://upthinkcoaching.podia.com/mock-icf-credentialing-exam-pcc-mcc )
PCC Marker Demo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr9Layk-py8)
Conversations with Credentialed Coaches about Various Coaching Niches and Approaches (https://www.youtube.com/@upthinkcoaching )
Let’s Connect.
DM me on LinkedIn or visit upthinkcoaching.com to explore supervision, mentor coaching, or our accredited coach training programs.
If you’re deepening your coaching practice and want accredited training that integrates emotional intelligence, relational depth, and intercultural awareness, visit https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/ Our next PCC Path (Level 2) and ACC Path (Level 1) cohorts begin in spring of They are designed for coaches who care about coaching beyond the tools and techniques. If that’s you, reach out to schedule a call and explore.

Every coach bumps into these questions: “How do I structure my practice? Which business model actually works for me and for my clients?”This episode takes a practical look at the most common B2C coaching business models and what it takes to make them sustainable.
We walk through one-off sessions, fixed-term packages, retainers, tiered offers, and group programs. You’ll hear the pros and limitations of each model, along with the ethical nuances not to be overlooked.
In this episode, we cover:
The difference between one-off sessions and long-term work;
What makes fixed-term packages predictable and effective and where they can get messy;
Common ways to make retainers work;
How group programs can help you scale your impact;
Practical questions to help you choose a model aligned with your energy, values, financial goals and long-term vision.
You’ll also hear about the emotional and operational load that affects your sustainability as a coach.
If you’re a newer coach designing your practice, or an established coach rethinking how you want your business to run, this episode will help you make a grounded, informed decision rather than guessing or copying what others do.
And if this conversation sparks ideas for you, feel free to pass it along to another coach who might be reimagining their business model too.
Coming up next:We’ll look at the Revised ICF Core Coaching Competencies introduced in 2025: what’s changed, why the updates matter, and how to integrate the new logic into your coaching and mentor coaching practice. This one’s going to be important.Would you like to support the podcast?
 Here’s a donation link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/LiubovDiasamidzeExplore My Other Resources to Deepen Your Coaching Skills:
Mock ICF Credentialing Exam (https://upthinkcoaching.podia.com/mock-icf-credentialing-exam-pcc-mcc )
PCC Marker Demo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr9Layk-py8)
Conversations with Credentialed Coaches about Various Coaching Niches and Approaches (https://www.youtube.com/@upthinkcoaching )
 Let’s Connect.
DM me on LinkedIn or visit upthinkcoaching.com to explore supervision, mentor coaching, or our accredited coach training programs.
If you’re deepening your coaching practice and want accredited training that integrates emotional intelligence, relational depth, and intercultural awareness, visit https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/ Our next PCC Path (Level 2) and ACC Path (Level 1) cohorts begin in spring of They are designed for coaches who care about coaching beyond the tools and techniques. If that’s you, reach out to schedule a call and explore.

Working with Emotions in Coaching
If you’ve ever found yourself unsure about what to do when a client gets emotional (whether to explore it, hold space, or turn the client’s attention back to the content) this episode is for you. Many coaches hesitate around emotions, afraid of crossing into therapy or “doing it wrong.” Yet emotions are not off-limits. They’re essential to understanding who the client is and what truly matters to them.
In this episode, we explore the real role of emotions in coaching and how to approach them confidently and ethically. You’ll hear about:
Why emotions matter in coaching conversations;
How to distinguish between coaching and therapeutic territories when emotions arise;
What the ICF Core Competencies and MCC standards say about working with emotion;
Non-directive ways to acknowledge and explore emotions without overstepping;
How to stay grounded and present when clients express strong emotions;
Why cultural awareness is key to understanding emotional expression in global coaching.
We also touch on supervision and reflective practice as essential tools for developing your emotional presence as a coach.
If this episode resonated, share it with another coach who’s learning to navigate emotion work with more ease and confidence.
Explore My Other Resources to Deepen Your Coaching Skills:
Mock ICF Credentialing Exam
PCC Marker Demo
Conversations with Credentialed Coaches about Various Coaching Niches and Approaches
 Let’s Connect.
DM me on LinkedIn or visit upthinkcoaching.com to explore supervision, mentor coaching, or our accredited coach training programs.
If you’re deepening your coaching practice and want accredited training that integrates emotional intelligence, relational depth, and intercultural awareness, visit upthinkcoaching.com.Our next PCC Path (Level 2) and ACC Path (Level 1) cohorts begin this November. They are designed for coaches who care about coaching beyond the tools and techniques.

Three-Party Agreements: Coaching in OrganizationsIf you’re stepping into organizational coaching (or thinking about it) one of the first big questions is: how do you navigate a coaching engagement when there’s more than just you and the client at the table? That’s where three-party agreements come in.
In this episode, I break down the essentials of three-party (or sponsored) engagements: what they are, why they matter, and how to set them up in a way that protects trust while also aligning with organizational goals. Whether you’re new to corporate coaching or looking to strengthen your contracting skills, this conversation will give you practical tools for building clarity, safety, and alignment from the start.
You’ll hear about:
Why a three-party agreement is best approached as a conversation first, document second;
The must-have elements to include, from goals and confidentiality to feedback protocols and exit clauses;
How to balance organizational expectations with the coachee’s autonomy and professional growth;
What to watch out for when hidden agendas or performance management creep into the process;
The role of culture and diversity in shaping agreements that actually work across contexts.
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow coach who’s navigating organizational coaching or preparing for it. And if you haven’t yet, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, especially the next one, where we’ll dive into one of the most powerful aspects of coaching: working with emotions.
Want to deepen your coaching practice with more confidence and clarity? I’d love to connect.
DM me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-diasamidze/) or visit www.upthinkcoaching.com

When a Client Does Not Make Progress in a Coaching Session
If you’ve ever left a coaching session wondering, “Was that enough?” or “Did my client actually make progress?”  this episode is for you. Whether you’re a new coach or an experienced practitioner, the pressure to “deliver results” can lead to performance mode, second-guessing, and even subtle missteps in the coaching relationship.
As a mentor coach and supervisor, I see this all the time. Coaches confusing visible “aha” moments with meaningful progress, or missing deeper signs of transformation that don’t look dramatic on the surface.
In this episode, we unpack what progress actually means in a coaching session, how to sense it, and what to do when you’re not seeing it.
You’ll hear about:
The myth of the “big aha” and how it trips coaches into performance mode;
How to notice when the client is circling around a surface topic to avoid something deeper;
The coach’s role in creating psychological safety for emotional honesty and real insight;
What to do when you feel you’re working harder than your client — and how to hand the process back;
The link between progress and trust, and why emotional transparency matters more than perfectly framed questions.
If this episode helped, please share it with a fellow coach who might need to hear it.And if you haven’t yet, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, especially if you’re curious about the deeper, relational side of coaching.
Let’s connect!
Want to bring more presence, confidence, and clarity to your coaching? I am here for that.
DM me on LinkedIn or visit upthinkcoaching.com to explore supervision, mentor coaching, or our accredited coach training programs.
Our next PCC Path (Level 2) - "Beyond the Tools: Advanced Coaching in Emotional, Intercultural & Relational Spaces"- begins in September: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/the-path-to-excellence-for-certified-coaches/
ACC Path (Level 1) opens in November: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-training-development/become-a-coach/
Looking forward to supporting you on your journey.
 
 

Many coaches associate a “coaching mindset” with being positive, open, or reflective. But in practice, it’s something deeper and more disciplined. In this episode, we unpack what it truly means to embody a coaching mindset, beyond ICF definitions and into the psychological habits that shape how we show up.
For coaches who and coaching leaders who have ever felt:
Uncertain whether you're being present or subtly performing
Caught between curiosity and the urge to fix
Drained from maintaining “the right attitude” session after session
This episode offers clarity, evidence, and honest reflection.
You’ll learn:
What lies beneath ICF’s “Embodies a Coaching Mindset” competency
How curiosity, emotional regulation, and non-directiveness influence client outcomes
Why a mindset shift often matters more than a new tool or question
Common traps and how to work through them
Simple practices to reset and return to presence
Let’s stay in touch:Follow the show, connect with me on LinkedIn, or reach out if something in this episode sparked a reflection. And join us next time as we explore what to do when a client doesn’t make progress.
If this episode helped, share it with a fellow coach who's in the same boat.
Here's More:
Do you 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 (Level 2) program begins in September, and the ACC Path (Level 1) program 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.

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!
Do you 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.