The Courage to Be Honest in Supervision: What Every Coach Needs to Know — with Donna Ward-Higgs

Finding Your Brave in Supervision with Donna Ward-HiggsAbout the Guest:Donna Ward-Higgs, a coach, mentor, facilitator, and trainer with a career in people development spanning more than 25 years. Drawing from her own experiences with "the good, the bad and the ugly of workplace leadership," Donna is passionate about fostering emotionally intelligent leaders, teams, and workplaces. She believes that learning is a human "superpower" and focuses on designing impactful learning experiences that help people build self-awareness about who they are and the impact they have on others. Ultimately, her work is about helping people unlock their ability to grow, develop, and succeed, even in the most challenging of situations.About the Episode:Welcome back to the second season of The Courageous Coach podcast! In this compelling episode, your host Melissa is joined by the fabulous Donna Ward-Higgs for a candid and insightful conversation about a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of coaching: courage in supervision. Have you ever hesitated to share a client challenge in supervision for fear of judgment? Or wondered about the unspoken power dynamics between you and your supervisor? Melissa and Donna, both experienced coaches and supervisors, dive deep into the complexities and vulnerabilities of the supervisory relationship. They explore what it truly means to be courageous in supervision, how it enhances your practice, and what happens when fear holds you back. This episode is a must-listen for coaches at all stages of their journey, offering reassurance that you are not alone in your fears and providing practical wisdom on how to "honour the investment" in your professional and personal growth. In this episode, you’ll learn:The Power of Vulnerability: Why feeling fear and being vulnerable in supervision is not only normal but a fertile ground for learning. Group vs. One-on-One Supervision: A look at the unique dynamics of each format, from the "wisdom of the group" to the challenges of comparison. Navigating Power Dynamics: How the language of "supervision" can create a sense of hierarchy and how to co-create a more empowering relationship with your supervisor. "Honouring Your Investment": A powerful reframing of supervision that goes beyond the financial cost to encompass your time, energy, and vulnerability. What We Avoid: An honest discussion about the topics coaches often shy away from in supervision, including shame and the fear of not being "advanced enough." Choosing and Leaving a Supervisor: Insights on how to deliberately select a supervisor who meets your current needs and the courage it takes to walk away when a supervisory relationship is no longer serving you. Supervision as a Mirror: Discover how the challenges and patterns that show up in supervision are often a direct reflection of what's happening in your coaching practice. Go Deeper with The Courageous Coach ProgramIf these conversations are resonating, you might be ready to go deeper. The Courageous Coach program is designed for qualified coaches in the early years of building their independent practice. If you want to coach with more courage, clarity, and humanity and grow a business that truly reflects who you are, this is for you.You can find all the details here: https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches Connect with MelissaCome and find Melissa on LinkedIn. Whether you have questions about the program, want to share what resonated from this episode, or just fancy a chat, she'd love to connect.Support the Podcast:Follow & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.Share with a fellow coach: Know someone who could use a little courage boost? Pass this episode on—courage is contagious, after all.Thanks again for listening. Until next time, stay curious, stay human and keep choosing courage.