What if the coach sitting across from your client is holding back their growth?
In the coaching world, knowledge and technical skills often get top billing. But what happens when a coach has the right certifications, yet lacks the internal self-regulation to hold space under pressure? The coaching industry is finally catching up to what counseling learned decades ago, and it's changing everything.
In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert celebrate the return of Dr. Michelle Thompson, PCC, Program Director of Executive Coaching and Consulting at the Townsend Institute. Drawing from her doctoral research on professional dispositions, Dr. Thompson reveals why coaching competence begins with who you are, not just what you know, and how this shift transforms both coaches and their clients.
You'll discover:
- The 3-Part Triad: How internal identity directly determines whether your clients get real results—knowledge and skill alone fall short.
- The Counseling Precedent: What the coaching industry must learn from counseling's 40-year regulatory evolution to protect clients and raise standards.
- Self-Regulation vs. Self-Awareness: Why knowing your triggers isn't enough if you cannot regulate them in real time during a session.
- Can't vs. Won't: How to distinguish between a developing coach building a skill and a fixed mindset that resists ethical coaching boundaries.
- The Concentric Model: How deep internal identity work directly dictates ethical decisions, conflict-of-interest management, and coaching presence.
If you've ever wondered why some coaches transform clients while others just check boxes—this episode has the answer. Whether you are a seasoned executive coach, a coach educator, or a leader seeking to deepen your character capacity, this conversation provides an essential blueprint for developing the whole practitioner from the inside out.
Perfect for: Executive coaches, coach educators, counselors, HR leaders, and anyone pursuing ICF certification or advanced character-based leadership.
Link to Dr. Michelle Thompson's dissertation
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Join us for our next Townsend Institute Live Virtual Information session on October 14, 2026 at 11AM Pacific time to hear from our faculty, academic advisors, current students, and alumni about their experience in the Townsend Institute!
During this live online information session, you will have the opportunity to:
- Ask faculty and fellows your questions about the Institute and our offerings.
- Learn how our counseling and leadership programs can advance your career.
- Connect with other prospective students exploring our programs.
- Become eligible for scholarships and other prizes by participating in our info session.
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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at www.cui.edu/townsend.
Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at tipodcast@cui.edu for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!
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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by The Songwriter Initiative of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.
