How do you implement coaching supervision best practices?

1 Choose a suitable supervisor

A supervisor is someone who has relevant training, experience, and credentials in coaching and supervision, and who can offer you constructive feedback, support, and challenge. You should look for a supervisor who matches your coaching style, niche, and goals, and who can help you grow as a coach. You can find a supervisor through professional associations, referrals, or online platforms.

2 Set clear expectations and boundaries

Before you start working with a supervisor, you should clarify the purpose, scope, and frequency of your supervision sessions, as well as the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of both parties. You should also agree on the confidentiality, fees, and feedback mechanisms of your supervision relationship. A written supervision agreement can help you formalize these aspects and avoid misunderstandings.

3 Prepare for your supervision sessions

To make the most of your supervision sessions, you should prepare in advance by reviewing your coaching cases, identifying your learning needs, and selecting the topics or issues you want to discuss with your supervisor. You should also gather any relevant materials, such as coaching notes, recordings, or feedback forms, that can help you illustrate your practice and receive feedback.

4 Engage in reflective practice

Reflective practice is a key skill for coaches, as it helps them examine their assumptions, beliefs, values, and actions, and learn from their experiences. During your supervision sessions, you should be open to exploring your coaching practice from different angles, such as the coaching model, the coaching relationship, the coaching context, and your own emotions and reactions. You should also be willing to receive and give honest and respectful feedback, and to apply your learning to your future practice.

5 Join a peer supervision group

A peer supervision group is a group of coaches who meet regularly to share their coaching experiences, challenges, and insights, and to provide mutual support and learning. Peer supervision can complement individual supervision, as it allows you to benefit from the diversity, wisdom, and feedback of your peers. You can join an existing peer supervision group, or create your own with other coaches who share your interests and values.

6 Evaluate your supervision outcomes

To ensure that your supervision is effective and valuable, you should regularly evaluate your supervision outcomes and satisfaction. You can use various tools and methods, such as surveys, self-assessments, goal setting, or action plans, to measure your progress and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You should also communicate with your supervisor and peers about your feedback and suggestions for improvement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?