Ep 47: Coaching Tools for Conflict: Insights from Mediator Polly Walker

How does weaving together mediation and coaching unlock deeper transformation for clients? In this episode of the Coaching Catalysts Podcast, co-hosts Sarah Bramall and Rebecca Daniel welcome Polly Walker, coach, mediator, and member of the Supervision Collective, for a rich exploration of conflict resolution, leadership challenges, and the power of curiosity.Polly shares her unique journey from mainstream teaching to working with excluded youth, her transition into mediation and restorative practices, and how coaching skills have been core throughout. Together, they discuss bringing joy and fun into coaching work, the challenges and rewards of group supervision, and practical strategies for supporting clients through conflict.Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Meet Polly Walker, coach and mediator01:30 Polly’s background, mainstream teaching, special educational needs, and conflict resolution04:00 Mediation in community, workplace, and special education; conflict coaching06:25 Leadership coaching and what lights Polly up07:11 Mediation training and what coaches gain from conflict skillsets10:15 The coaching/mediation overlap, big questions and powerful tools13:32 Supervision for coaches and mediators, reflecting on practice18:38 Imposter syndrome, how supervision supports coaches (and leaders) in overcoming doubt20:13 Polly’s upcoming work, mediation + community, training at Coaching Academy21:39 Why supervision is fun and why every coach should “go for it”22:24 The power of coaching community and genuine support.Connect with us here:​Website:https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.com​Work with us:​FREE Supervision Experience for Coaches: Listening Partnerships, register here: https://bit.ly/supervisionexperienceOur roundtable discussions for internal coaches here:https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.com/organisationalcoaches​Find out more about our supervision service here: http://bit.ly/coaching-collective​To book a call: https://tidycal.com/coachingcatalysts/explorationcall​​To become a professional coach supervisor with The Coaching Catalysts, head here: https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.com/supervisiondiplomaFor ICF mentoring see here: https://bit.ly/catalystsmentorcoachingSocial Media:https://www.facebook.com/thecoachingcatalysts​https://www.instagram.com/thecoachingcatalysts_ ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecoachingcatalysts​Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbramallcoaching/​Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrebecca/​And our Whatsapp here:https://wa.me/15557022689​About Polly Walker:Poly Walker is a mediator - working to resolve disputes within the community, the workplace and within special education. She is also a coach, specialising in conflict coaching and is the founder of Polly Walker Mediation and Coaching.Connect with Polly:Website: www.pollywalker.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollywalker_mediation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pollymwalker/ Produced by winteraudio.co.uk