Dang… caught me off guard, again!

Throughout my time in the program—and even before—I saw coaching sessions as a conversation between equals: one eager to grow through self-discovery, the other guiding the journey. Neither held more power. They were partners. But as we dove deeper into the nuances of power dynamics and their influence on the coach-client relationship, my perspective shifted.

Imagine a young professional, brimming with fresh ideas and a unique approach—something they believe is their secret weapon, unlike anything others use. Now, place that same individual in a one-on-one session with a seasoned leader, someone poised for promotion, fully prepared to step into greater responsibilities and drive their team toward success.

In this session, the accomplished leader sits across from the young professional and humbly declares, “I’m next in line for a promotion. I’m ready to take on the challenge and lead my team to the next great success. I need your help to guide me on this journey… Tell me my next move.”

The young professional, unfamiliar with the pathways of top executives, pauses—working not just to grasp the leader’s ambitions but to understand what’s truly unfolding in this very conversation. Who holds the power?

Instinct might suggest the seasoned leader has the upper hand. Their experience, tenure, and authority command respect. And yet, as coaches, we wield a different kind of power—the power of process. We are experts in evoking awareness, guiding clients along their journey, and helping them unlock insights they may not reach alone.

For a coach to be effective in this dynamic, trust and psychological safety must be paramount. Learning from Georgetown faculty and alumni illuminated just how crucial this is, confirming insights I’ve gathered throughout my career while adding new layers to my understanding.

For me, establishing a connection - connecting the dots through personal or professional journeys - is one of the most successful moves one can make to lay the foundation for that trusting space.  How do you know if you are successful in creating a trusting space?  People feel comfortable approaching you, sharing with you, engaging with you.  How does establishing connections help to foster this?  Sharing insights into “like experiences” is a great first step… taking the initiative to share, showing some initial vulnerability, lifting the hood (even if slightly) on your background - sharing something that isn’t easily pulled from a LinkedIn profile or public bio. A leadership insight I learned 15 years ago still resonates deeply:

Be approachable by approaching.

Take the first step.

Stay true.