Developing the ability to self-manage in coaching supervision

Abstract

This paper explores how coaching supervision develops the coach’s ability to use themself effectively and successfully in coaching work. The aim is to contribute to the important conversations already occurring in coaching psychology regarding supervision by linking them to the well-developed dialogue of ‘use of self’ existent in counselling related disciplines. The following is a thought piece meant to begin to fill the gap between theory and practice in coaching psychology supervision. Specifically, drawing from more established helping disciplines, it is clear that the helper’s ability to use themself effectively is an integral part of client outcomes and change. Supervision has emerged as a fruitful way to develop the particular skill of ‘use of self’. In coaching psychology, the idea of ‘self-management’ captures the essence of ‘use of self’. The following discussion extrapolates from more established helping disciplines to make the case that coaching psychology supervision is integral to the development of the coach’s ability to self-manage, and as such, to the professional and ethical standards of training and practicing coaches.