Welcome to this edition of Mentoring Moments. Over the years the mentoring discussions with my mentees have revealed such brilliant insights and methods which continue to hone our coaching skills to deliver a higher quality of coaching excellence for our clients. Mentoring emerging or experienced coaches towards their credential or for ongoing development is my absolute favourite component of my coaching practice. So, I’d love to share with you some of those little gems of gold in upcoming editions. 

ACC Minimum Skills:

Deepening Presence, Listening and Awareness

The ICF ACC Minimum Skills Requirements make it clear that effective coaching is demonstrated through what can be seen and heard in the session. In Competencies 5–8, this becomes very evident. Your presence, your listening, and the way you support awareness and action determine whether the conversation deepens or stays at the surface. This edition focuses on how these skills show up in practice and how small adjustments can significantly strengthen your impact.

Competency 5: Maintains Presence

Presence is something the client experiences through your attention and restraint.

Key Skills in Practice

“The coach remains engaged and responsive to the client throughout the session.”
You are actively following the client rather than thinking ahead.

“The coach remains curious and observant of the client.”

You notice shifts in tone, pace, and energy and allow these to guide you.

“The coach intentionally provides space for reflection.”
You allow silence so the client can think more deeply.

“The coach remains present through both conversation and silence.”
Your attention stays consistent whether the client is speaking or pausing.

“The coach partners with the client throughout the session.”
You are working alongside the client, not leading them.

Behaviours Consistent with ACC Standard

You allow space and follow the client’s thinking. For example, you ask a question and the client pauses. You wait rather than stepping in, and the client then arrives at a deeper insight. You also notice shifts and explore them, which keeps the conversation relevant and responsive.

Behaviours Inconsistent with ACC Standard

Presence drops when you interrupt, fill silence, or redirect too quickly. A common example is rephrasing a question before the client has had time to respond, which disrupts their thinking.

Competency 6: Listens Actively

Listening is where connection is either built or lost.

Key Skills in Practice

“The coach hears what the client is and is not communicating in relation to their agenda.”
You listen for both the content and what may be underneath it.

“The coach integrates the client’s unique use of words into their questions and observations.”
You stay close to the client’s language, which strengthens understanding.

“The coach notices and inquires about the client’s non-verbal cues and body language.”
You are aware of tone, pauses, and shifts, and bring gentle attention to them.

“The coach offers what they see, hear, feel, or sense, and accepts the client’s response.”
You share observations lightly, allowing the client to confirm or adjust.

Behaviours Consistent with ACC Standard

You reflect clearly and check understanding. For example, when a client says: “I keep putting it off,” you respond with: “There’s a pattern there. What’s happening in those moments?” This shows you are listening for the deeper meaning behind the words.

Behaviours Inconsistent with ACC Standard

Listening weakens when your responses don’t connect, when summaries are overly long, or when you are listening for a chance to advise. A useful reflection is whether your response stayed with the client’s meaning or shifted to your own thinking.

Competency 7: Evokes Awareness

This is where insight is created.

Key Skills in Practice

“The coach uses questions, observations, silence, and other techniques to support the client in gaining insight.”
You create the conditions for the client to find their own insight, rather than providing it.

“The coach shares personal responses… without attachment or direction.”
You offer observations lightly, without needing them to be right.

“The coach explores the client’s emotions, needs, underlying beliefs, and ways of thinking.”
You move beyond surface-level discussion into deeper understanding.

“The coach invites the client to identify influences on their thinking, behaviour, or emotions.”
You help the client recognise patterns and drivers.

“The coach adapts their approach to the client’s needs and style.”
You remain flexible in how you engage.

“The coach intentionally allows space for the client to respond fully.”
You give the client time to process each question.

Behaviours Consistent with ACC Standard

You ask open, clear questions that expand thinking. For example: “What else could be true here?” or “What are you assuming?” These questions help clients see their situation differently, particularly when they are caught in self-critical thinking.

Behaviours Inconsistent with ACC Standard

Awareness is limited when questions are leading, when they reflect your agenda, or when you ask too many in quick succession. For example: “Have you tried setting boundaries?” directs rather than explores.

Competency 8: Facilitates Client Growth

This competency ensures the session leads to something meaningful.

Key Skills in Practice

“The coach partners with the client to explore their session progress and learning.”
You help the client recognise what has shifted.

“The coach supports the client in considering how to integrate new awareness into their worldview and behaviours.”
You connect insight to real-life application.

“The coach partners with the client to design actions that reflect new learning.”
The client defines their next steps.

“The coach supports the client in identifying what they need to follow through.”
You help them consider what will support success.

“The coach partners with the client to close the session.”
The session ends with clarity and intention.

Behaviours Consistent with ACC Standard

You invite reflection and action. For example: “What are you taking from this?” and “What will you do differently?” The client leaves with their own clarity and direction.

Behaviours Inconsistent with ACC Standard

This competency weakens when the session ends without reflection, when you suggest actions, or when the close is rushed. A useful check is whether the client clearly owns both the insight and the next step.

The ACC Minimum Skills Requirements reinforce that effective coaching is built through consistent behaviours that support the client’s thinking. As you reflect on your sessions, notice where you created space, how closely you listened, the impact of your questions, and who owned the outcomes.

Over the next week, choose one competency (presence, listening, awareness, or growth) and intentionally practise it in every session. Afterwards, jot down one example of where you demonstrated it well and one moment you would approach differently. This simple habit will sharpen your awareness and strengthen your coaching quickly.

Sharing these mentoring moments with you,

Gaye