6,000 Trained Coaches Globally
30 Years’ Coaching Expertise
“It is the relationship which heals, the relationship which heals, the relationship which heals.” – (Rogers, 1957) Foundations: Building the Coaching Relationship When we talk about building the coaching relationship, it can sound deceptively simple: Demonstrate warmth and interest. Listen. Don’t talk too much but do ask thoughtful open questions. Be supportive but not directive. […]
Grief Awareness Week (2–8 December 2025) invites us to recognise something profoundly simple yet often overlooked: grief comes to work with us. Loss, whether personal or professional, affects how we think, feel, connect and perform. Yet many workplaces still lack the language, confidence or structures to acknowledge it. We believe that creating space for honest […]
Power, Presence, and Self-Awareness in Coaching How often do you stop to reflect on the impact you have as a coach? Not just the outcomes or insights your clients gain, but the felt experience of being coached by you. Even with the best of intentions, it’s possible that the way we show up, our tone, […]
(A nod to Monty Python – and a considered look at the role of tools in coaching) When we train coaches, we are often asked what coaching tools bring to coaching and whether they exist for the benefit of the coach or the client. There isn’t an easy answer to this but here are some […]
This month the ICF published its updated Core Competencies for the first time since 2019, and we wanted to share what these developments might mean for you. Importantly, the update involves incremental developments; it is not an overhaul. Here are some answers to questions you might be asking yourself: What are the ICF core competencies […]
Validation is a practical and fun guide to one of the most overlooked interpersonal skills: making others feel seen and understood. Drawing from her skills as a clinical psychologist, and with a focus on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Caroline Fleck dismantles the misconception that validation is simply agreeing or comforting. Instead, validation is shown to strengthen […]
All of us at Barefoot keep learning. We regularly put ourselves in new learning situations – being coached, supervised, and attending courses as delegates. We do it because we believe you can’t facilitate someone else’s learning if you’ve stopped learning yourself. We are grateful to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), whose high standards require us […]
Public speaking is a frequent yet challenging task for most. A 2023 poll found that nearly half of the British public (49%) fear speaking in front of people, and the public speaking training industry is booming in response. Yet, in today’s era of uncertainty and change, perhaps we should shift our focus away from speaking […]
Some years ago, I experienced a significant loss. Since then, I’ve spent my time learning about grief and loss so that I can provide grief coaching for individuals, and grief education for coaches and other professionals. Some call this ‘making your mess your mission’ or ‘turning your pain into purpose.’ If I am honest, I […]
Last week, we celebrated International Coaching Week 2025 – we took some time at Barefoot to pause, reflect and reconnect – with the roots of coaching, our own journey, and where we’re heading next. We started the week by exploring the history of coaching. From Socratic dialogue to the rise of coaching psychology, from early […]
