How do we create truly inclusive coaching spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging?

In this episode we reflect on the role of coaches in fostering environments rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). As we prepared for our upcoming Coaching Summit, it felt important to open this conversation up to share our own insights and challenges around this essential topic.

When we think about DEIB in coaching, we are reminded that this is not about achieving perfection or ticking boxes. Instead, it’s about holding curiosity and awareness for the lived experiences and identities our clients bring into the coaching space. We discuss how our own identities, privileges, and unconscious biases influence not only who we are as coaches but also how we create the coaching environment.

Throughout the episode, we I reflect on why this work matters so deeply to us personally. Our own motivation comes from recognising the privilege we have experienced throughout our lives. We are driven by a desire to create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and able to be their whole selves.

We break down what diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging mean within a coaching context:

• Diversity: Acknowledging the broad range of identities and lived experiences.
• Equity: Recognising not everyone starts from the same place and ensuring fair access.
• Inclusion: Intentionally creating spaces where people feel respected and heard.
• Belonging: Moving beyond inclusion to that felt sense of connection and acceptance.

These are not abstract concepts for us, they sit at the heart of how we approach coaching, particularly in group or team settings where systemic influences are more pronounced. We also explore the discomfort coaches may feel: the fear of ‘getting it wrong’ or unintentionally causing harm. But avoiding these conversations entirely is not the answer. We encourage leaning into bravery, curiosity, and reflective practice.

We discuss:

• How to navigate conversations about identity, privilege, and systems with sensitivity and openness.
• The role of supervision in supporting us to notice when our biases show up.
• The importance of language and accessibility in creating inclusive spaces.
• The ethical tensions that can arise when coaching within organisations still rooted in inequality.

Ultimately, this episode is about growth over perfection. DEIB is a lifelong commitment, one where our openness to learning will shape the impact we have as coaches. We hope this conversation invites you to reflect on your own practice and inspires you to take small, meaningful steps towards deeper inclusion.

If this resonates with you, you are warmly invited to join us for our upcoming Coaching Summit on 29th July, where we will be exploring DEIB in coaching even further. You can register here: igcompany.co.uk/summit25

 

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to DEIB in coaching 01:00 Why this topic matters to us 03:20 Defining diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging 05:00 How our identities shape the coaching space 06:40 Systemic influences in coaching conversations 09:00 Asking powerful, inclusive questions 12:00 Navigating judgement and bias as a coach 14:30 The role of supervision in DEIB practice 16:00 Permission, language, and accessibility 18:00 Moving from performative allyship to authentic action 20:30 Ethical tensions in organisational coaching 22:00 Why coaching is not always neutral 23:00 Invitation to continue the conversation at the Summit

 

Key Lessons Learned:

• DEIB is not about perfection but about intentional, ongoing learning.
• Our identities and biases influence the coaching space, whether we are conscious of it or not.
• Inclusive coaching requires bravery, curiosity, and reflective practice.
• Asking thoughtful, open questions can invite deeper reflection on identity and systemic influences.
• Supervision is a vital tool for exploring blind spots and deepening our DEIB practice.

 

Keywords:

Diversity in coaching, Equity in coaching, Inclusion coaching conversations, Belonging in coaching, Inclusive coaching spaces, Coaching and unconscious bias, Coaching and privilege, Brave spaces in coaching, Systemic influences in coaching, Coaching summit on DEIB,

 

Links & Resources

Coaching Summit 2025: https://igcompany.co.uk/summit25