As UK and other communities navigate intense periods of societal, political and personal change, there’s a growing opportunity to rebuild connections and foster a renewed sense of belonging. Against this backdrop, belonging was the focus of the first post-Covid conference hosted by Barefoot Coaching, a UK-based coach training organisation.
The conference in London was opened by ‘coach’s coach’ and Barefoot founder Kim Morgan, alongside Emma Jones CBE, creator of Enterprise Nation, a support platform for UK small businesses. Jones is a leading voice in campaigning for entrepreneurs and spoke about the growing need for coaching expertise for SMEs.
The conference, sponsored by the International Coaching Federation, was attended by more than 250 Barefoot-trained coaches, including specialist corporate, executive, and small business coaches, and explored the theme of belonging, offering insights into how coaches can foster a sense of connection and inclusivity in their practice. Author and speaker Owen Eastwood, a performance coach known for his work with elite sports teams and high-performing organisations, explored the discovery of identity to develop a sense of belonging. His powerful presentation referred to his learnings working with the men’s England football team, The Royal Ballet and the South African Cricket team.
Corporate coach practitioner and Barefoot CEO Andy Chandler used the principles of systemic leadership coaching and constellations to help challenge delegates’ coaching perspectives and offer a lens to understand dynamics in teams and individuals. Coach and well-being consultant John Perry’s insights into Attachment Theory expanded on how belonging influences human behaviour.
Music and storytelling also played a key role in bringing the theme to life. Author, musician, and coach James Sills used song to inspire attendees, creating a moment of unity as the audience sang together. Racial equity specialist Bernice Hewson delivered a thought-provoking presentation using Beyoncé’s foray into country music as a lens to spotlight the need to challenge the narratives on race and belonging.
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- Barefoot Coaching has trained more than 6,000 coaches from 28 different countries, with this number growing every year.
VOLUME 19 ISSUE 6