ICF Definition: Coaching Supervision is the interaction that occurs when a coach periodically brings his or her coaching work experiences to a coaching supervisor in order to engage in reflective dialogue and collaborative learning for the development and benefit of the coach and his or her clients.       

Supervision is a co-created partnership, which promotes excellence in the industry and mastery in the coach. It encourages the growth, skills, expertise and development of the coach as an individual, as well as in the coaching profession.

In contrast to direct client coaching, Supervision offers the coach a global perspective to rise above detail and assess impact on key players; facilitates making sense of events; increases a coach’s confidence; supports their professional and personal development. The coach is invited to consider their own coaching process (versus the client’s issues) as well as the broader impact of behaviours and actions for the wider community of the team, managers, clients, customers, suppliers etc.

Coaching Supervision is a safe, adult-to-adult conversation, where coaches can bring their concerns and anxieties eg boundaries, ethical issues, conflict of interest. Coaches can regularly reflect on, and develop their own practice, expertise and strategies, while they are appropriately supported and validated as professionals. They are encouraged to stretch beyond their competencies and comfort zones, in order to develop their skills and make them even more effective and resourceful. Self-reflection is encouraged as a developmental tool, in order to increase Emotional Intelligence and self-knowledge. Utilising the learnings from each session allows coaches to develop their skill, confidence and unique styles.
Coaches are supported so that they do not carry loads alone, whilst the client, organisation and coaching profession are all taken into consideration.

Supervision has an important role to play when it promotes the impact of the coaching beyond the immediate engagement, for the benefit of the wider stakeholders, as well as the coach. They are also encouraged to take into consideration their own and client’s ethics, cultural, political, geographical and religious backgrounds, within the boundaries of the law, physical safety and confidentiality.

Supervision empowers coaches – to find clarity, solutions, to move forward, improve effectiveness and performance and reach more resourceful states. It allows us to constantly renew methodologies, update thinking, promote and expand the industry, thus allowing us to be guardians of the coaching process, the ethics, morals, and standards, to the benefit of coaches and organisations alike.

''Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.'

- Viktor E. Frankl