Master Coaching: Embody ICF Competency 2
What does ICF Core Competency #2 – Embodies a Coaching Mindset actually feel like when it's lived, not just memorized? That question became the heartbeat of our latest project — a musical journey through the ICF Core Competencies that we hope will help coaches move from head knowledge to soul-deep practice.
Listen: "Living from My Soul" – A Song for ICF Core Competency #2
Press play and let this music carry the meaning of embodying a coaching mindset from your mind into your heart.
"Living from My Soul" — Audio Player
Lyrics by Jamie Slingerland, MCC; Ruthie Slingerland, MCC; Fran Fisher, MCC | Music & arrangement by Hector Rios, 1998
From Textbooks to the Heartbeat of Coaching
Lately, Ruthie and I have been looking for ways to move the ICF Core Competencies out of the textbook and into real life. We wanted to go beyond checklists and definitions to find the heartbeat of professional coaching. For us, that bridge was music.
We started asking ourselves: What does a competency actually sound like when it's lived, not just explained?
"Living from My Soul" is a song born from that question. We're so grateful to Fran Fisher, MCC, who helped shape the lyrics and bring the message to life. The music itself comes from a CD Ruthie recorded back in 1998. Listening to it again reminded us that our journey to becoming MCCs wasn't just technical — it was deeply personal. It was about learning to lead with presence, curiosity, and authenticity — choosing to live from our soul rather than our ego.
Partnership with a Coaching Pioneer: Fran Fisher, MCC
Working with Fran Fisher, MCC, on this project was a true honor. Fran is recognized internationally as one of the first coaches to earn the MCC credential. She has spent over 30 years helping coaches embrace their essential nature, let go of ego attachments, and truly be the coach their clients need.
Her input on the lyrics helped us capture the spirit of ICF Core Competency #2: Embodies a Coaching Mindset — which goes far beyond technique to touch the very character and inner orientation of the coach.
What Is ICF Core Competency #2? Embodies a Coaching Mindset
According to the ICF (International Coaching Federation), Core Competency #2 — Embodies a Coaching Mindset — is defined as developing and maintaining a mindset that is open, curious, flexible, and client-centered. This means the coach:
Acknowledges that clients are responsible for their own choices
Engages in ongoing learning and reflective practice
Develops and maintains the ability to regulate their own emotions and energy
Seeks help from outside sources when necessary
Prepares mentally and emotionally for each session
Remains curious and open, staying in service of the client's agenda
In short: Competency #2 is about who the coach is being, not just what they're doing.
How the Song Reflects Core Competency #2
The lyrics of "Living from My Soul" beautifully mirror the heart of this competency. Lines like:
"I don't need to shine the brightest
Their light is the goal.
That's the shift I'm making…
From feeding my ego
To living from my soul."
…capture the essence of what it means to hold a client-centered perspective. Core Competency #2 isn't just about knowledge — it's about presence, integrity, and reflective practice. The song reminds us that effective coaching comes from letting go of the need to control or fix, and instead trusting the client's resourcefulness and showing up fully ourselves.
The second verse highlights active listening, patience, and allowing courage and growth to unfold naturally:
"Then one day someone opened up,
Said a truth that shook the room.
And I didn't rush to fix it
Just let their courage bloom."
This mirrors the competency's call to maintain awareness, remain curious, and adapt one's presence to support the client's process. It's a practical reminder that embodying a coaching mindset is lived through our choices, tone, and attention — not just our words.
Coaches Must Do Their Own Work
One of the biggest lessons Ruthie and I have learned is that coaches can't take clients to places they won't go themselves. Growth, presence, and resilience are cultivated through our own personal and spiritual work. That's why both of us continue to have our own coaches — we know firsthand how much deeper we can show up for clients when we're actively engaging in our own growth.
This personal work is central to mastering Core Competency #2. When we embody curiosity, openness, and reflective practice in our own lives, it naturally flows into our coaching sessions. The inner work IS the professional work.
Why Music Unlocks the Coaching Mindset
When we first start training, it's easy to get stuck in our heads — reading, memorizing, and checking boxes. That knowledge is important, but true mastery happens in the in-between: your tone, your ease, how fully you show up.
Music bypasses the analytical brain and invites you to embody a coaching mindset that is open, curious, and client-centered. It's not about replacing study — it's about letting the competencies settle into your bones, your breath, your presence.
This is why we created the 8-song ICF Core Competencies Series — one song for each competency, helping coaches internalize the professional standards of coaching at a deeper level.
Explore the Full Series
Want to experience all 8 songs in the ICF Core Competencies series? Each song is crafted to help you embody a different competency at a soul level. Click here to explore the full series →
The Shift: From Ego to Soul — Full Song Lyrics
"Living from My Soul"
(Verse 1)
I used to think the answers were the best thing I could bring.
Talked too much, tried too hard, like I had to prove something.
But somewhere in that noise, I learned to nurture curiosity.
Looking back now, I can see the gift is generosity.
(Chorus)
So I'm learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow.
Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows.
I don't need to shine the brightest — their light is the goal.
That's the shift I'm making…
From feeding my ego to living from my soul.
(Verse 2)
Then one day someone opened up, said a truth that shook the room.
And I didn't rush to fix it, just let their courage bloom.
Felt something gently loosen deep inside my chest…
Funny how letting go ends up feeling like doing my best.
(Chorus)
So I'm learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow.
Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows.
I don't need to shine the brightest — their light is the goal.
That's the shift I'm making…
From feeding my ego to living from my soul.
(Final Chorus)
So I'm learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow.
Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows.
I don't need to shine the brightest — their light is the goal.
That's the shift I'm making…
From feeding my ego to living from my soul.
To living from my soul.
Lyrics by: Jamie Slingerland, MCC; Ruthie Slingerland, MCC; Fran Fisher, MCC
Music & Arrangement: Hector Rios, 1998
Frequently Asked Questions About ICF Core Competency #2
What does "Embodies a Coaching Mindset" mean in ICF terms?
Embodying a coaching mindset means the coach develops and maintains an open, curious, flexible, and client-centered orientation. It includes ongoing self-reflection, emotional regulation, and a commitment to personal growth — not just professional skill development.
How does ICF Core Competency #2 differ from the other competencies?
While other ICF competencies focus on skills and behaviors (like active listening or asking powerful questions), Core Competency #2 is about the coach's inner state and identity. It's a foundational mindset that influences how all other competencies are practiced.
Why is it important for coaches to do their own inner work?
Coaches who engage in their own personal development — through coaching, therapy, meditation, or other reflective practices — are better able to maintain presence, manage their ego, and remain curious rather than advice-giving. You simply cannot take clients to places you haven't been willing to go yourself.
What is the difference between an MCC and ACC/PCC credential in ICF coaching?
The ICF credential levels — ACC, PCC & MCC (Associate Certified Coach, Professional Certified Coach, and Master Certified Coach) — represent increasing levels of coaching mastery, hours, and demonstrated competence. The MCC is the highest level and requires over 2,500 hours of coaching experience.
Ready to Go Deeper?
Whether you're working toward your first ICF credential or moving from PCC to MCC, embodying a coaching mindset is a lifelong practice. We hope "Living from My Soul" becomes part of your journey — a reminder to slow down, trust the moment, and let your clients' light shine.
Listen again. Let it in. Embody it.
About the Authors: Jamie Slingerland, MCC and Ruthie Slingerland, MCC are co-founders of Catalyst Coach Academy and seasoned ICF mentor coaches. With decades of combined coaching experience, they are passionate about helping coaches embody the ICF Core Competencies from the inside out through our Level 1 program.
Whether you're working toward your first ICF credential or deepening your MCC practice, embodying a coaching mindset is a lifelong journey. Explore our ICF-accredited programs at Catalyst Coach Academy.
If you’re ready to explore this depth of coach training and support, we’d love to connect. Book a free discovery call → to talk about your goals and the best next step for your coaching path.
