This is a guest post, written by Katja von Glinowiecki, ICF PCC, EMCC Senior Practitioner and certified ESIA, Co-Founder supervision.partners
Table of contents
Summary Introduction When coaching feels meaningful – and lonely That missing piece had a name: Supervision. Supervision increases quality – and we have the data to prove it Then why is it still optional? Why supervision matters – in coaches’ own words Conclusion: Let’s make supervision part of how we grow References
Summary
In this article, you’ll learn:
Why coaching can feel isolating – even when it’s fulfilling
What supervision really is (and what it’s not)
How supervision increases quality, integrity, and client outcomes
Why it’s still not the norm – and why that should change
How supervision.partners contributes to raising professional standards
Introduction
What separates a coach with tools from a professional coach with impact? It’s not just training, experience or style – it’s reflection.
And reflection needs structure. It needs time. And most of all: it needs supervision.
When coaching feels meaningful – and lonely
When I started out as a coach, I was full of energy. Freshly certified, working with NGOs and corporate clients, I jumped right in.
I had the tools. I had the mindset. I had the clients.
And yet: something was missing.
Despite the constant human interaction, coaching felt oddly solitary.
No one to debrief tough sessions.
No clear feedback on my blind spots.
No space to reflect without the pressure to deliver.
I had peer groups and learning networks.
But what I needed was something deeper – structured, regular, and truly professional.
That missing piece had a name: Supervision.
At the time, I didn’t know what it was called.
Today I do: Supervision.
Supervision isn’t about critique or correction.
It’s a guided space to look at your coaching practice – not the tools, but at you in your role.
It helps you:
– navigate uncertainty and emotional complexity
– reflect on ethical and systemic dynamics
– stay grounded, effective and well
This experience became the foundation of supervision.partners , which I co-founded with Dr. Nannette Reuther in 2024.
Together, we work with coaches, leaders, facilitators and teams – helping them grow by looking inward.
Because we believe: supervision is not a nice-to-have.
It’s the core of what makes coaching trustworthy and sustainable.
Supervision increases quality – and we have the data to prove it
Research shows significant benefits for coaches who regularly attend supervision:
+80 % increase in job satisfaction*
+70 % more clarity in their professional role*
+65 % better conflict resolution skills**
-60 % less work-related stress***
+75 % improved ability to deal with challenges****
And yes – these benefits reflect back on clients.
Clarity. Emotional presence. Ethical awareness. Resilience.
Supervision is not self-care.
It’s professional care.
Then why is it still optional?
The two major international coaching bodies – ICF (International Coaching Federation) and EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) – both have clear ethical frameworks and strongly advocate for reflective practice. They recommend supervision as a vital element of professional development.
But:
– Membership in these associations generally doesn’t require proof of supervision
– Only some certification tracks make supervision a formal requirement
The result?
Many coaches still work without any structured reflection.
And the title “Coach” continues to mean very different things – depending on background, ethics, and practice.
Why supervision matters – in coaches’ own words
Coaches who attend supervision with us describe it as a space to pause, gain perspective, and reconnect with their professional core.
It supports clearer decision-making, strengthens boundaries, and brings more presence into the coaching room.
Over time, supervision creates rhythm, resilience, and deeper quality – not just for the coach, but for every client interaction.
“Supervision is my regular energy refill station – it helps me refocus and stay connected to what really matters in my work.”
“It feels like crowd-sourcing for the head and heart – I don’t have to figure it all out alone, and that makes me a better coach.”
Conclusion: Let’s make supervision part of how we grow
Supervision isn’t about fixing something that’s broken.
It’s about keeping ourselves clear, connected, and professional in the face of complexity.
It’s where we reflect on the impact we have – and the kind of coach we want to be.
If we want coaching to be seen – and lived – as a real profession, supervision needs to be part of that identity.
Not occasionally, but regularly. Not because someone demands it, but because we care.
So here’s our invitation to you:
– What would shift in your practice if you had a regular space to reflect – without needing to perform?
– Who supports you in staying grounded, ethical, and resilient?
– What might become possible if you didn’t have to figure it all out alone?
If these questions spark something in you – start exploring.
You’ll find useful entry points here:
– EMCC Global Supervision Guidelines
– ICF Code of Ethics – Reflective Practice Section
Let’s build the future of coaching –
one supervised conversation at a time.
References
*Freiburg University (2011)
**Kübler-Ross Academy (2014)
***Angerer & Gündel, Springer (2022)
****Zwack & Schweitzer, OSC Springer (2010)
https://www.emccglobal.org/leadership-development/supervision/
https://coachingfederation.org/education-professional-development/find-professional-development/coaching-supervision/
