Courage in Supervision: Facing the Conversations We Avoid
Why bravery belongs not only in coaching sessions but in supervision too.
Courage in Coaching — and Beyond
As coaches, we often invite clients to step into discomfort: to face challenges, test assumptions, and explore the unknown. Yet how often do we allow the same for ourselves?
Supervision offers a rare space where coaches can practice courage — not on behalf of clients, but for their own growth and integrity.
The Conversations We Avoid
Every coach has topics that feel uneasy to bring into the open:
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Self-Doubt – Am I really helping this client?
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Mistakes – Times we feel we “got it wrong.”
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Boundaries – Wondering if we’ve overstepped or under-held.
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Ethical Dilemmas – When values clash or rules feel unclear.
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Personal Triggers – Recognising when our own stories show up in the room.
Supervision is designed to hold these conversations — gently, respectfully, without judgment.
Why Courage Matters
Avoiding these topics doesn’t make them disappear; it simply buries them. Left unspoken, they can quietly undermine confidence, presence, and even effectiveness.
Courage in supervision allows coaches to:
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Name what feels risky.
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Explore uncomfortable truths in a safe environment.
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Transform anxiety into insight.
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Strengthen resilience and professional integrity.
Bravery as a Practice
Courage in supervision is not about dramatic confessions or harsh critique. It’s about practising honesty, vulnerability, and openness — qualities that mirror the very essence of coaching.
And just like with clients, courage breeds trust. The more openly we bring our full selves to supervision, the stronger our coaching becomes.
A Safe Place to Be Brave
The paradox is that supervision creates safety so that bravery can flourish. In that space, the conversations we avoid often become the ones that matter most — leading to fresh clarity, renewed confidence, and a deeper sense of integrity.
What conversations are you avoiding in your coaching practice? Coaching supervision offers a safe, supportive space to face them with courage. Let’s connect and explore how supervision can support you.