What made me stand out was my Black skin. This was the defining variable, and I was reminded of it regularly.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve always appreciated diversity in all its various forms, both tangible and intangible. My love and appreciation for what is different can be attributed to my birth city. I was born in Toronto, Canada, a vibrant and multicultural city. I was raised around a fusion of food, language, culture and philosophy. When I was 12, my family and I moved to the United States. What I found was a shift; rather than an appreciation for differences by those around me, being different made me odd.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, this would not be the last time I noticed that I stand out. Not necessarily because others called attention to my Black skin, but because I see that there are not many who look like me. I stand out in the coaching industry. Also problematic is that not much attention has been given to this issue by way of research.<\/p>\n
Yet, representation matters to professional coaches, coaches in training and prospective clients. An individual\u2019s ability to see themselves represented in the coaching industry sets the stage for inclusivity and one\u2019s ability to dream. Representation also matters when examining an essential skill in coaching: empathy. Empathetic listening goes beyond listening for the coach’s sake. Rather, it\u2019s about getting out of one\u2019s own way and deep listening to understand the viewpoint of the client. However, research demonstrates that many coaches struggle with this essential skill as a racial empathy gap<\/a> is present, whether or not the coach is aware.<\/p>\n The year 2020 has brought the globe to a halt with the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also has shed light on another life-threatening matter: racism. The coaching industry needs coaches who proactively choose to work against racism, including the idea of \u201cnot racist.\u201d In his book \u201cHow to Be an Antiracist,\u201d Ibram Kendi writes, \u201cIt is a claim that signifies neutrality: \u2018I am not a racist, but neither am I aggressively against racism.\u2019 But there is no neutrality in the racism struggle. The opposite of \u2018racist\u2019 isn\u2019t \u2018not racist.\u2019 It is \u2018antiracist.\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n The updated ICF Core Competencies highlight the importance for coaches to \u201cengage in ongoing learning and development.\u201d Here are two things you can do immediately to embody a coaching mindset.<\/p>\n1. Educate Yourself.<\/h3>\n