Masterful Coaching: What Jesus Teaches Us About the ICF Core Competencies
“He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’” – Luke 24:17
During International Coaching Week and International Christian Coaching Day, we were reminded that coaching is a deep calling, where we mobilize our Strengths and lead wiser with training and growth to maximize our impact.
The ICF, a cornerstone and global gold standard for coaching, created its 8 Core Competencies framework for coaches that promotes ethical integrity, developmental excellence, and transformational impact.
But long before the ICF was founded, one of the greatest examples of transformational coaching lived and walked among us: Jesus of Nazareth. Whether you follow Him as Savior, revere Him as a historical teacher, or simply admire His wisdom, His conversations reflect the heart of what masterful coaching is all about.
Let’s explore how Jesus embodied these eight core competencies, and what we, as coaches, can learn from the Master Coach and a Christian perspective on ICF Coaching.
1. Demonstrates Ethical Practice
“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” – John 8:11
Application: Jesus created psychological safety, honoring human dignity without shame. He refrained from rescuing or preaching and offered compassion with clarity, never hijacking someone’s agency.
Reflection: How often do we try to “fix” our clients instead of trusting their capacity to grow?
Coaching Questions:
– Where might you be tempted to rescue instead of coach?
– How can you maintain integrity when values clash?
ICF Connection: Coaches are called to model honesty, confidentiality, and professionalism. It’s about holding space more than pushing people or exercising control.
2. Embodies a Coaching Mindset
“What are you discussing together as you walk along?” – Luke 24:17
“Do you want to get well?” – John 5:6
Application: Jesus didn’t default to giving answers. He led with questions, inviting ownership and opening hearts.
Reflection: Asking instead of assuming is spiritual humility in action. Presence beats performance.
Coaching Questions:
– What assumptions do I bring into my coaching sessions?
– How can I hold space without rushing to solutions?
ICF Connection: Coaches cultivate an open, flexible, and curious mindset rooted in presence and learning, not ego.
3. Establishes and Maintains Agreements
“What do you want me to do for you?” – Mark 10:51
Application: Jesus co-created with clarity. He never assumed anything. This reflects the ICF’s emphasis on defining focus and desired outcomes in every session.
Reflection: Purpose is never one-size-fits-all. Clarity is always co-created.
Coaching Questions:
– What would make this conversation meaningful for you today?
– What result would you like to take away from the conversation?
ICF Connection: Coaches are called to co-create clarity and alignment, honoring the client’s agenda with mutual trust and shared expectations.
4. Cultivates Trust and Safety
“Will you give me a drink?” – John 4:7
“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35
Application: Jesus built rapport with the marginalized, the grieving, and the doubting. He honored people’s full humanity and empathized with their mess, while remaining respectfully flexible.
Reflection: Coaching isn’t about fixing. It’s about being fully present with the whole person.
Coaching Questions:
– How can I give others more safety, not advice?
– How can I ask questions about the whole person, not just the problem?
ICF Connection: Coaches foster trust through empathy, acknowledgment, and respect for identity and experience.
5. Maintains Presence
“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground.” – John 8:6
Application: When confronted by a volatile situation, Jesus didn’t react—He responded with stillness. He slowed the moment. He created space.
Reflection: Presence doesn’t rush revelation. It invites it.
Coaching Questions:
– How can you use more concise direct statements?
– How can you share an intuition without holding attachment?
ICF Connection: Coaches demonstrate full presence, silence, and attunement, offering grounded support through uncertainty.
6. Listens Actively
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” — James 1:19 (NIV)
Application: Jesus modeled deep listening—not just to words, but to hearts. Whether with the woman at the well or the rich young ruler, He tuned into unspoken fears, hopes, and motives. He listened to understand, not to reply.
Reflection: Listening isn’t passive—it’s a sacred act of attunement that honors the image of God in another.
Coaching Questions:
– How could you show radical listening?
– How could you wisely use interjection versus interrupting?
ICF Connection: Coaches listen beneath the surface—beyond words and into emotions, values, and meaning—with full presence, trust, and curiosity.
7. Evokes Awareness
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor?” – Luke 10:36
“I am the vine; you are the branches.” – John 15:5
Application: Jesus invited self-awareness through metaphor, story, and reflection. He held up mirrors, and sometimes spotlights.
Reflection: Insight isn’t about delivering answers. It’s about uncovering the right questions.
Coaching Questions:
– How could you use more story and metaphor to coach others on their journey?
– How could you customize questions with the other person’s words?
ICF Connection: Coaches use powerful questions, reframing, and metaphors to spark meaningful insight and growth.
8. Facilitates Client Growth
“Go and make disciples…” – Matthew 28:19
“Follow me.” – John 21:19
Application: Jesus wasn’t content with “aha” moments. He called people to action, and He believed in their potential long before they did.
Reflection: Growth isn’t insight alone. It’s action inspired by belief.
Coaching Questions:
– How could you ask others to summarize their take aways?
– What support system does the other person want for accountability?
ICF Connection: Coaches partner with clients to transform insight into commitment and purpose-driven movement.
Enjoying a Christian perspective on ICF Coaching?
If you’re enjoying the crossover of a Christian perspective and ICF Coaching wisdom, then I invite you to join one of my specialized masterminding communities. Whether you’re a Strengths coach, or working directly with leadership, there’s a community for you, and we get serious about impact.
If you’re ready to start making your own waves as a Strengths Champion Certified Coach®, join me for this fast-tracked 2-day workshop June 20th and 21st.
This is your gateway to the core strategies of the Strengths Champion Mastermind. Whether it’s perfecting peer coaching, analyzing a coaching video, or untangling the ICF competencies, we’ve got you covered. And guess what? You’re also on track to earn 7 hours of ICF mentor coaching credit!
Jesus’ CliftonStrengths® Profile (Inferred)
What if we could infer Jesus’ top 5 StrengthsFinder themes based on His coaching and leadership? I believe that Jesus masterfully reveals all 34 Cliftonstrengths themes, however, I was curious and asked ChatGPT out of all 34 Cliftonstrength® talent themes what were the most dominant top 5 Strengths. Below are the results.
– Empathy® – He wept. He comforted. He noticed.
– Connectedness® – He saw divine purpose in all things.
– Belief® – He stayed rooted in values, even to the cross.
– Individualization® – Every interaction was customized.
– Activator® – His conversations always led to bold steps.
This speculative profile mirrors the essence of masterful coaching rooted in empathy, activated by vision, and always attuned to the individual journey.
The Invitation of a Christian Perspective on ICF Coaching
A Christian perspective on ICF Coaching gives us a professional foundation, and the life of Jesus gives us masterful demonstration:
– To coach with compassion.
– To lead with presence.
– To serve with strength.
– You don’t need to be perfect to be a powerful coach.
– You just need to be present.
– The Master Coach showed us how.
I’m curious, how has faith played a role in your coaching? Do you bring the power of strengths and a Christian perspective to your ICF Coaching? If you’re looking to empower your foundation with spiritual wisdom, let’s connect!
