As I continue my coaching certification journey with CTT, I’m realizing that this experience is unlike any course I’ve taken before. I initially expected it to be straightforward—study for a few weeks, practice the concepts, and emerge confident. What I’m learning now is that coaching is less about completing a curriculum and more about ongoing discovery, unlearning, and growth.
One of the biggest shifts has been becoming aware of my own biases. I notice how assumptions surface—not just during coaching sessions but in everyday interactions. This growing awareness is gently reshaping how I listen, respond, and connect with others.
A major eye-opener has been understanding active listening. I thought I listened well, but truly engaging in active listening has revealed the depth beneath every conversation. I now focus on what lies beneath a person’s words—their feelings, beliefs, perspectives, and thought patterns. This has transformed how I show up in conversations.
I’m also learning to move beyond simply receiving information to understanding the client’s perspective. Being fully present—listening without filtering through my own context or altering their meaning—has been both challenging and rewarding. Each time I manage to stay in the client’s world, it feels like a small personal victory.
The journey has been a roller coaster. There are moments of confidence and encouragement, and moments when I wonder, “Can I really do this?” Yet each practice session, competency exercise, and reflection helps me grow—slowly, steadily, and in unexpected ways.
What is becoming clear is that this journey isn’t about rushing to the finish line. It’s about allowing learning to unfold, taking small steps, and staying present with the process rather than treating it as a task to be completed. In this unfolding, I’m discovering new layers of myself—both as a future coach and as a person.
My journey is still in motion, and I look forward to continuing to explore, reflect, and grow with each step.
Author: Hemangi Satish Kadam
Blog Title: Unfolding, Not Finishing—Because Coaching Is a Journey, Not a Deadline
About the Author: The author is a seasoned Learning and Development professional with keen interest in understanding people and perspectives to impart development actions.
Program attended with CTT: ACC
Reason for taking this program: To support my professional development and also become a better version of myself
What worked for you: Practical demonstrations by others followed by feedback, practice by self, feedback by mentor coach and continuous reflection.
What benefits you got: I pay conscious attention to awareness of my biases, focus on active listening without judging.
