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ICF Core Competency 5: Maintains Presence

Updated: Sep 23

Saxophone placed on a piano keyboard, representing "maintains presence" as the jazz of coaching.
Presence is the soul of coaching.

Great coaching is like jazz—fluid, responsive, and deeply attuned to the rhythm of the client. Instead of rigidly following a script, the best coaches tune in to the client's music, listening for the subtle shifts in tone, energy, and emotion that reveal what’s really going on beneath the surface.

ICF Core Competency 5: Maintains Presence is all about that kind of real-time adaptability. It’s the ability to set aside assumptions, quiet your own mental chatter, and fully engage with the person in front of you.

When a coach is truly present, the client feels it. They feel heard, understood, and safe enough to explore what matters most. Presence is where trust deepens, insights unfold, and the coaching conversation takes on a life of its own.

Like the way a bassline thrums through your chest or a rhythm makes your foot tap without permission, presence isn’t just heard—it’s felt. It resonates in the body, grounding the client and giving them courage to follow the beat of their own discovery. 🎷🎶

The 7 Indicators of Maintaining Presence

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