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Shaunda Thompson opens a powerful window into the unique strengths BIPOC coaches bring to leadership development through their lived experiences and embodied wisdom. As an executive life coach, career strategist, and pre-licensed therapist whose leadership journey began as a US Army non-commissioned officer, Thompson speaks with authenticity about creating coaching relationships that honor clients' full identities.

"There are times where words don't have to be spoken, or there's this invisible pain that the client sitting across from you experiences that you as a BIPOC coach already know because you've gone through it," Thompson explains, highlighting the immediate connection and psychological safety this creates. This shared understanding accelerates the coaching relationship in ways that transcend traditional approaches.

The conversation dives deep into essential concepts for all coaches – cultural fluency, code-switching, and the mental tax of navigating predominantly white professional spaces. Thompson offers practical guidance: recognize your own history and privilege, examine your biases, unlearn dominant narratives, and get comfortable sitting in discomfort without centering guilt. Her coaching philosophy centers on what she calls "radical self-honesty" and bringing the fullness of her multiple identities into each session.

Perhaps most compelling is Thompson's vision for reshaping the coaching profession by challenging dominant norms and embracing culturally responsive frameworks. "Let's start rejecting these one-size-fits-all models and be more open to honoring identity, community, and intergenerational wisdom," she urges. This approach doesn't just benefit BIPOC coaches and clients – it enriches the entire field with diverse perspectives and approaches that support lasting transformation.

Ready to expand your coaching practice with greater cultural fluency? Connect with Shaunda at www.shaundathompson.com and discover how authentic leadership and intersectional empathy can transform your coaching relationships.

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What does true fairness look like in professional certification? Carrie Abner, Vice President of ICF Credentialing, pulls back the curtain on a groundbreaking initiative that's transforming how coaches around the world become certified.

Four years ago, amid growing social conversations about equity, ICF leadership asked themselves a challenging question: were they truly living their values when it came to fairness in their credentialing process? This moment of reflection sparked a comprehensive equity assessment that would examine every aspect of how coaches earn their ICF credentials. The project, completed in October 2024, reveals both courage and commitment from an organization willing to look critically at its own practices.

Working collaboratively with ICF's DEIB team and an academic researcher specializing in diversity, Abner's team developed sophisticated methods to collect data, listen to stakeholders, and identify potential barriers in their processes. What they discovered led to meaningful changes: expanded assessor diversity to match growth in global markets, enhanced exam accommodations that benefit all candidates, and free exam tutorials that demystify the testing experience. Perhaps most importantly, they established ongoing feedback mechanisms that ensure continuous improvement.

"Most things that matter take courage," Abner notes, reflecting on the vulnerability required to examine established systems for hidden biases. The assessment represents more than just procedural tweaks—it's a fundamental shift in how ICF approaches credentialing, balancing rigorous standards with accessibility and cultural awareness.

For coaches preparing for ICF credentials, these changes mean a more equitable path to certification. For the coaching profession as a whole, ICF's work demonstrates how organizations can move beyond good intentions to create measurable improvements in fairness and inclusion.

Share your experience with ICF's credentialing process—they're listening and using your feedback to drive positive change. Connect with Carrie Abner at carrieabner@coachingfederation.org or explore ICF's resources at coachingfederation.org.

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What does it truly mean to lead with social impact? Dr. Daphne Watkins, researcher, professor, and executive coach, takes us on a profound journey exploring leadership that prioritizes uplifting marginalized voices over personal advancement.

Drawing from her remarkable career transition—from two decades researching Black men's health to coaching leaders across racial and cultural differences—Dr. Watkins illuminates how coaching can transform leaders into powerful agents of social change. She defines social impact leadership not as holding power or titles, but as "giving voice to the voiceless" and creating meaningful legacies that extend beyond individual achievement.

The conversation tackles head-on the challenges facing diversity and inclusion work today. Rather than abandoning critical progress during DEI backlash, Dr. Watkins describes how leaders are "pivoting"—maintaining their commitment to equity while adapting their approaches. Her practical insights include creating psychological safety in coaching relationships and using identity mapping exercises to help leaders understand how their backgrounds shape their leadership styles.

Most compelling is Dr. Watkins' nuanced exploration of privilege—how we all carry it in different contexts, often without recognition. As a self-described "data nerd" measuring coaching effectiveness through "ripple effects," she demonstrates how seemingly individual leadership transformations can cascade through organizations and communities. Her current research with leaders of color heading research institutes further reveals untold pathways to influence and impact.

Ready to examine your own leadership through a social impact lens? This conversation offers both the challenge and the roadmap. Connect with Dr. Watkins at daphnewatkins.com and discover how your leadership can create meaningful change in a world desperately needing voices for the voiceless.

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