The Listening World Summit 2024

Listening is a topic that coaches often talk a lot about and care deeply about, so I want to share this upcoming event with you. The first international summit dedicated to the power of listening.

This coming weekend (Friday 24th – Sunday 26th May 2024) the Listening World Summit 2024 is taking place in Prague.

Over 40 speakers from all over the world will be coming together to share insights into the art of listening. You’ll find, coaches, speakers, psychologists, mentors and company directors all on the list of speakers.

I believe that there is still availability to attend in person, and you can find full details at www.thelisteningworld.com

If logistics are going to prevent you from attending in person, then there is also a free live stream option for the Friday and Saturday. To get full details and to register to attend, click here.

Whilst the event is in the Czech Republic all talks will be in English with Czech simultaneous interpretations.

Michael Neill, one of the Speakers for the Listening World Summit 2024.

The feeling that goes with the thought … like a pat on the head

A couple of weeks ago I took part in a discussion with a group of fellow coaches where the topic was “Thoughts gone wild” Here is a short clip from that session.

You can watch the full conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/live/55WB2EYQPOE?si=GY7aNeswJBF6MdYb

If you want to watch the next conversation live, then join us this Wednesday, 22nd at 9:45 am (PST) / 12:45 pm (EST) / 5:45 pm (UK) / 6:45 pm (CET). The topic? See Beyond Illusions

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer, Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.


Unlocking Authentic Potential

Yesterday’s quote, was the proverb: “A golden key can open any door”

A wooden door is closed. Through the keyhole from the other side of the door, bright light shines through, illuminating a golden key that is hovering just in front of the keyhole. The text at the top reads: "A golden key can open any door" (Proverb) The text across the bottom right corner reads: "Your Coaching and a Golden Key."

One of the questions I posted in relation to that was, “How do you interpret the metaphor of a ‘golden key’ in relation to unlocking the potential of your clients?”

Which got me thinking, what do I currently think the key to my coaching is, what is it that consistently makes the biggest difference?

I’m fairly certain that my answer to this question today, is different to how I would have answered this 10 or 15 years ago. So If you’re pondering this for yourself and your coaching, I’m going to add at this stage – it’s OK for your answer to change over time. Personally, I think it’s natural for your style, understanding and approach to evolve over time and not stay static.

Today, my answer is for clients to find their authentic self, for them to connect to their own essence and their soul to awaken.

Unlocking Authentic Potential

In a world where external pressures and societal expectations often obscure our true nature, helping clients reconnect with their authentic selves can be transformative. It involves peeling back the layers of conditioning and societal expectations to reveal the core essence that lies beneath.

By encouraging clients to tap into their inner wisdom and intuition, you’re providing them with the key to unlocking their innate potential. This process of self-discovery and soul awakening is not about conforming to external standards or expectations, but about honouring and embracing the unique qualities that make each individual who they are.

One of the aspects I value about coaching is holding a safe and supportive space for clients to explore and express their authentic selves. Whilst not compulsory, it’s not unusual for clients to have some fear about who or what their authentic self really is – they often fear that there’s something wrong with them, and it can feel really vulnerable to look in that direction.

Through this process, clients can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their desires, paving the way for greater clarity, purpose, and fulfilment in their lives. They begin to see themselves not as they think they should be, but as they truly are – worthy, capable, and deserving of all the goodness life has to offer.

In essence, the “golden key” to unlocking the potential of your clients lies in helping them reconnect with their authentic selves and awaken to the fullness of who they are. It’s about guiding them towards a deeper understanding of their innate worth and potential, empowering them to step into their greatness with confidence and authenticity. Being ourselves simplifies life. When we embrace our true selves, complexities fade away. When you really get to know your true self, your essence, your soul, then I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised – even if you’re reading this thinking, but she doesn’t know me, I’m worthless/unloveable etc.

As you continue on your coaching journey, embracing the metaphor of the “golden key” can serve as a powerful reminder of the profound impact you have the potential to make in the lives of your clients. Your interpretation of what a golden key in your coaching may be entirely different from mine. And that’s okay; it doesn’t make either of us right or wrong. We simply have different approaches and likely work with different clients.

I think it’s interesting and probably useful as a coach to be able to start to describe what impact your coaching can have – what that golden key could do for your clients. For me, helping clients unlock the doors to their authentic selves, it’s not just facilitating personal growth – you’re igniting a transformational journey that has the power to change their lives forever.

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer, Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.


Questions for coaches about choice inspired by Thomas Fuller

Two apples rest on a wooden surface. The one to the left is fully withered and soft. The one to the right is half rotten.
The text reads: "There is but bad Choice, where the whole Stock is bad." (Thomas Fuller)

Today’s quote is:

“There is but bad Choice, where the whole Stock is bad.” (Thomas Fuller)

Questions For Coaches:

  • How do you assess the overall quality of your choices in the past year?
  • How do you handle situations where you feel uncertain about which choice to make?
  • How do you differentiate between good and bad choices in your decision-making process?
  • What would you do if a client said that all the options they have to choose from are bad?

Bonus Questions:

  • How do you navigate situations where all available options seem less than ideal?
  • What role does self-awareness play in helping you recognize and rectify bad choices before they escalate?
  • How do you seek support or guidance when faced with making what looks like difficult decisions?

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer, Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.


Questions for coaches about golden keys

A wooden door is closed. Through the keyhole from the other side of the door, bright light shines through, illuminating a golden key that is hovering just in front of the keyhole.
The text reads: "A golden key can open any door" (Proverb)

The quote today is a proverb:

“A golden key can open any door”

Questions For Coaches:

  • If you had a golden key, what would you use it for?
  • How do you interpret the metaphor of a “golden key” in relation to unlocking the potential of your clients?
  • How do your values and beliefs influence the doors you choose to open or keep closed?
  • What would your typical client say they want a golden key for?

Bonus Questions

  • As you reflect on your coaching journey so far, what doors have you already opened, and what doors do you still hope to unlock?
  • What do you do to help clients overcome resistance or fear when faced with the prospect of opening new doors?
  • How do you continue to hone your coaching skills and deepen your understanding of the keys that unlock transformative change for your clients?

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer, Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.


Truth’s beauty: Questions for coaches based upon a quote by John Arbuthnot

This is an image of a waterfall cascading and landing into a lagoon type pool at the bottom of the cliff. The sun is shinning down into the water, with shadows being reflected from the rich green foliage on the rocks. The text reads: "Truth is the same thing to the understanding, as Music to the ear, and Beauty to the eye." (John Arbuthnot)

The Quote Of The Day is:

“Truth is the same thing to the understanding, as Music to the ear, and Beauty to the eye.” (John Arbuthnot)

Questions For Coaches:

  • How does the concept of truth as captivating and beautiful resonate with your coaching journey and philosophy?
  • In what ways can the exploration of truth empower clients to align their actions with their values and aspirations?
  • How can acknowledging truth’s beauty inspire clients to pursue goals with conviction?

Bonus Questions

  • What does the word truth, in this context, mean to you?
  • Can you identify areas of your coaching practice where it feels that if you were really true to truth it would make the biggest difference?
  • For you, is there a difference between truth and Truth?

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer, Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.


On certain occasions, the eyes of the mind can supply the want of the most powerful telescopes

This is a photograph of a nights sky with stars in the background. In the foreground is a silhouetted individual with a telescope, pointing upwards at the nights sky. The text reads: "On certain occasions, the eyes of the mind can supply the want of the most powerful telescopes, and lead to astronomical discoveries of the highest importance." (François Arago)

The Quote Of The Day is:

“On certain occasions, the eyes of the mind can supply the want of the most powerful telescopes, and lead to astronomical discoveries of the highest importance.” (François Arago)

Questions For Coaches

  • How might recognizing the creative potential of the mind empower individuals to uncover solutions and breakthroughs in their personal and professional endeavours?
  • How does this resonate with your belief in the power of coaching?

Bonus Questions

  • When was the last time you used your “eyes of the mind” to look at your coaching practice? What does it look like now if you were to look again?
  • What areas of your life and business would you love to have the most power telescope to look at? What area would you not like to look that closely at?
  • What coaching related question, technique, conversation etc does this quote prompt for you?

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer, Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.


I do not know who sings my songs Before they are sung by me

A figure is stood holding a microphone dramatically up as if they are in the middle of a powerful moment singing. They are in silhouette as a bright spotlight is shining behind them with dry ice adding more to the dramatic atmosphere. The text reads: "I do not know who sings my songs Before they are sung by me." (Mary Hunter Austin)

The Quote of the Day is:

“I do not know who sings my songs Before they are sung by me.” (Mary Hunter Austin)

Questions For Coaches:

  • Can you identify moments in your life where insights or revelations seemed to come from a source beyond your conscious awareness?
  • How does this quote resonate with your approach to coaching?
  • How might coaching help clients cultivate a greater sense of trust in their own inner wisdom, intuition and creativity?

Bonus Questions

  • Can you recall a coaching session where a client’s journey of self-discovery seemed to be guided by an unseen source of wisdom or inspiration?
  • How do you navigate moments of unexpected insight or inspiration that arise during coaching sessions?
  • How do you support clients in trusting their instincts and following their inner guidance as they navigate challenges and opportunities?

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer, Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.