One of the most overlooked aspects of coaching is how we, as coaches, bring ourselves into the work. The stuck moments, the unexpected discomfort, the dynamics that subtly unsettle us—these aren’t just client issues. They are invitations to turn toward what’s happening in us. To ask, What is this moment asking of me?

Boundaries are an essential yet often unnoticed structure that enhances safety and effectiveness in coaching relationships. When clearly established, they create a secure environment for clients to explore and develop.

Attraction in a coaching relationship can be subtle and show up in different ways — not always obvious or easy to name. These moments can leave a coach questioning what’s going on, whether in one-to-one work, in groups, or in team coaching.

A coach said something recently that made the whole room pause. She looked at me and said, “Liz… you keep using the words team and group as if they’re different. I honestly don’t understand. They feel the same to me. Can you help me see it?”

Bringing a case isn’t about presenting a polished narrative. It’s about bringing the raw material of our coaching—our uncertainties, our emotional responses, the tensions in the work, and the places where we long for insight.