Coaching Supervision & Mentoring Flashcards

A coach-mentee's client repeatedly reschedules sessions. The mentor explores this pattern and finds the coach is inadvertently signaling flexibility that undermines structure. This is an example of supervision addressing:

Answer: The coach's impact on the client system through their own behavior

Effective supervision helps coaches see how their own behaviors and communication styles shape client patterns, reinforcing systemic self-awareness.

According to IAC standards, how often should an active credentialed coach engage in supervision to maintain professional health?

Answer: Regularly as part of ongoing professional development, not just in crisis

IAC promotes supervision as a continuous professional practice, not a reactive tool used only when problems arise.

What makes peer supervision different from supervisor-led supervision?

Answer: Peers share power equally and collaboratively reflect without a designated expert authority

Peer supervision is characterized by mutual, non-hierarchical inquiry where coaches collectively explore practice without one person holding designated authority.

A coach is working with a client through a painful divorce. The coach, who is also recently divorced, notices strong emotions arising during sessions. The supervision priority should be:

Answer: Exploring the coach's countertransference to ensure their personal experience doesn't compromise objectivity

Supervision provides the space for coaches to examine countertransference — emotional responses triggered by clients — so it can be managed rather than acted upon.

In mentoring, the IAC emphasizes that the mentor's role is PRIMARILY to:

Answer: Support the mentee in developing their own authentic coaching style and identity

IAC mentoring supports coaches in finding their unique voice and style rather than replicating the mentor's approach.

Which of the following BEST describes a 'blind spot' as addressed in coaching supervision?

Answer: An unconscious pattern or assumption in the coach that affects their practice without their awareness

Blind spots are unconscious patterns, biases, or assumptions that influence how the coach shows up without their awareness — a primary target of reflective supervision.

A mentoring coach notices that her mentee consistently paraphrases clients rather than asking deepening questions. The MOST developmentally appropriate response is to:

Answer: Help the mentee explore what stops them from going deeper and experiment with alternatives

Developmental mentoring invites the mentee to self-discover the source of their pattern and experiment, rather than imposing prescribed techniques.