In this episode, host Elias Scultori sits down with leadership coach Joe Miller, ACC, to unpack a challenge many coaches regularly face — what to do when a client shows up in self-doubt.

Joe describes noticing two distinct “modes” in his clients:
✨ Mode One — confident, prepared, full of faith.
🌧️ Mode Two — insecure, resistant, and uncertain.

As the conversation unfolds, they realize that these “modes” may reveal just as much about the coach’s own mindset as they do about the client’s. Together, Elias and Joe explore how to stay genuinely curious, let go of personal definitions of success, and keep believing in the client’s wholeness — no matter what “mode” they’re in.

This is a vulnerable, reflective conversation about the inner work of coaching — and the growth that happens when we’re willing to look inward.

⏱️ Chapters
00:27 – The Coaching Challenge: Two Client Modes
02:58 – When Confidence Fades: Working with “Mode Two” Clients
05:38 – When Coaching Feels Stuck: Referral or Recommitment?
09:17 – Turning the Lens Inward: The Coach’s Growth Opportunity
13:06 – Simplicity, Curiosity, and the Power of Reflection
13:30 – Final Takeaway: Staying Curious with Every Client

💬 Notable Quotes

"...how real are these modes and do they really or as much at least reflect my own growth and learning opportunities and shifting opportunities, thinking opportunities as a coach." [09:17]

"...sometimes you have to start with something simple. Maybe spotting the simplicity of a couple of modes and then letting that drive the curiosity." [13:06]

🎧 Listen now to reflect on your own assumptions, reconnect with curiosity, and rediscover your belief in every client’s potential.

#CoachingPodcast #PrimeSpace #EliasScultori #CoachingMindset #LeadershipCoaching #ICFCoaches #ProfessionalCoaching #CoachDevelopment #SelfReflection #CuriosityInCoaching #JoeMillerACC #MCCCoach #CoachingGrowth #CoachLearning

Beyond Client Modes

Behind every powerful coaching question lies something quieter—but far more essential: trust.

In this episode of PRIME SPACE, Elias Scultori, MCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/], shines a light on an often underestimated ICF Core Competencies: Cultivating Trust and Safety. While many coaches focus on powerful questions, agreements, and action planning, the foundation of effective coaching rests on something more fundamental—trust.

Elias explores how trust shows up in everyday life, why it is indispensable in coaching, and how coaches can intentionally nurture it from the very first impression they make. He also introduces the powerful distinction between safe space and brave space, inviting coaches to reimagine trust-building as a shared responsibility between coach and client.

If you’ve ever wondered how to deepen your coaching relationships, this episode will remind you why trust isn’t just another competency—it’s the very ground on which coaching stands.

#Coaching #ICFCompetencies #ProfessionalCoaching #TrustAndSafety #Leadership #PRIMESPACE

The Overlooked Competency

Is a coach automatically “good” just because they follow the rules? In this episode of PRIME SPACE, Elias Scultori [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/] continues the Coaching Myths Uncovered series by challenging the belief that flawless technique alone defines coaching excellence.

Elias explores why rules and competencies, while essential, are only the framework—and not the essence—of coaching. He introduces the balance of Form and Flow, explains the Japanese concept of Shu-ha-ri as a path toward mastery, and highlights the risks of relying solely on technique without depth.

Listeners will gain insight into:

 * Why coaching is a balance between art and science
 * How to move beyond “checking boxes” to embody the essence of standards
 * The importance of reflective practice in balancing form and flow
 * Common habits and excuses that derail growth
 * The ongoing journey of mastery every coach must commit to

If you’ve ever wondered whether playing strictly “by the book” makes for a great coach—or if there’s something more—this conversation will challenge your thinking and deepen your practice.

Watch the "Coaching Myths Uncovered" [https://youtu.be/00Xp7ahgC0A?si=cHH8dDyh6QpyqSXI] event on YouTube.

The Myth of "By-the-Book" Coach

In this episode of PRIME SPACE, Elias Scultori, MCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/], explores one of the most common and delicate questions coaches face: “How personal can I be with my clients?”

Drawing from ICF Core Competency 4: Cultivates Trust and Safety—specifically sub-competency 4.6—Elias reflects on the role of transparency, vulnerability, and authenticity in coaching. He unpacks what it means to share appropriately, how to balance openness with professional boundaries, and why the guiding question should always be: What is the benefit for the client’s process?

Through this lens, Elias challenges the long-held image of the “flawless leader” and emphasizes the courage it takes for a coach to show up authentically. When coaches embrace vulnerability—not as oversharing, but as a way of being—they empower clients to drop the masks of perfection, embrace their own humanity, and tap into their resourcefulness.

Whether you are a new coach navigating boundaries or an experienced practitioner deepening your presence, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of what it truly means to be transparent, vulnerable, and authentic in service of your clients.

#Coaching #ICFCoreCompetencies #TrustAndSafety #Authenticity #Leadership #ProfessionalCoaching #PRIMESPACE

How personal can I be?

In this episode of PRIME SPACE, host Elias Scultori, MCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/], unpacks the brand-new 2025 update to the ICF Core Competencies—a milestone that affects every professional coach.

Elias explores the ICF’s rigorous review process, the global collaboration behind the revisions, and the nuances introduced in this new version. From refined language choices to important sub-competency additions, he highlights how these changes impact coaching practice.

But not everything is cause for celebration. Elias also raises concerns about the added complexity and the use of controversial word choices. Through his analysis, he invites listeners to reflect critically on what supports clarity, alignment, and integrity in our profession.

Whether you’re a seasoned coach or new to the field, this episode offers insight, perspective, and an invitation to engage with the future of coaching practice.

🎧 Tune in, review the updates for yourself, and join the conversation.

📥 Download the ICF Core Competencies - v.2025 [https://coachingfederation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icf-cs-core-competencies-2025.pdf]
📥 Download the Comparison Chart [https://coachingfederation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icf-cs-core-comptencies-comparison-2025.pdf]

#Coaching #ICF #CoreCompetencies #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #CoachEducation #CoachingMindset #PRIMESPACE #EliasScultori

ICF Core Competencies 2025 - What's Changed?

In this episode of PRIME SPACE, host Elias Scultori, MCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/], welcomes back his friend and colleague Amy Donovan, MCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-ruppert-donovan-mcc-6491a11/], for a powerful return to the fundamentals of coaching.

Together, they revisit the timeless question: What is coaching? While it may sound simple, the conversation reveals the depth, nuance, and evolving understanding behind the practice. Elias and Amy explore why coaching is about discovery rather than solutions, the importance of true partnership, and how professional coaching stands apart from mentoring, consulting, or therapy.

Whether you are brand new to coaching or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers clarity, reminders, and fresh insight into what makes coaching a unique and transformative process.

#Coaching #WhatIsCoaching? #ICFCoaches #ProfessionalCoaching #PrimeSpacePodcast

Back to Basics

For years, coaches have embraced the mantra "there is no coaching without action.” But what if the word *action* no longer captures the depth of what truly happens in a coaching conversation?

In this episode of PRIME SPACE, host Elias Scultori, MCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/], challenges the traditional view and introduces a more expansive concept—movement. From subtle shifts in mindset to intentional pauses, Elias explores how transformation can take many forms beyond tangible tasks.

Discover why reframing action as movement honors the richness of human development, keeps coaching aligned with its core purpose, and empowers clients to carry their insights forward in intentional, life-shaping ways.

Tune in and reimagine what it means to support your clients as they step into their next chapter.

#CoachingPresence #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingSkills #ICFCoaches #PersonalGrowth

Forget Action. Embrace Movement...

In this episode of PRIME SPACE, host Elias Scultori, MCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/], welcomes Rory Courlander, ACC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-courlander/]—an Irish-born coach and international educator now serving as Director of Instructional Coaching at GEMS Education in Dubai. Together, they explore the unique dynamics of coaching in Arabic and Muslim contexts, where culture, education, and coaching intersect in powerful ways.

Rory shares his journey from Ireland to Thailand and ultimately to Dubai, offering personal stories and professional insights that illuminate how culture shapes coaching conversations. From experiencing a full Ramadan fast alongside a colleague to discovering the Arabic word “Ershad” (meaning guidance), Rory shows how genuine cultural immersion, language adaptation, and trust-building are essential in creating meaningful coaching partnerships.

Listeners will also gain practical strategies for navigating hierarchical structures, fostering reflective practices, and flexing coaching approaches to align with cultural values while maintaining authenticity. At its core, this episode highlights how coaching, when rooted in respect and cultural sensitivity, transcends boundaries to create an authentic human-to-human connection.

Perfect for coaches working with diverse populations, international educators, and anyone interested in cross-cultural communication, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for building trust and impact across cultural lines.

#Coaching #CultureInCoaching #CoachingPodcast #PRIMESPACE

Coaching Leaders in the Middle East

Delivering the perfect coaching session—hitting all the markers, checking every box, and meeting every standard. Is that really what perfection looks like?

In this episode of PRIME SPACE, host Elias Scultori [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/]unpacks the myth of the technically flawless session and reframes what makes coaching truly powerful. From the unpredictability of human connection to the balance of form and flow, Elias explores why “perfect” isn’t about precision—it’s about presence, flexibility, and creating lasting value for the client.

Tune in to discover how to let go of rigid expectations and embrace the kind of session that transforms—messy, human, and perfectly imperfect.

#Coaching #ProfessionalCoaching #ICF #CoachingPresence #LeadershipDevelopment #PRIMESPACE #EliasScultori #PerfectSession #PRIMECoachingAcademy #standards

The Perfect Coaching Session

In this episode of PRIME SPACE, host Elias Scultori, MCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasscultori/], sits down with conflict resolution coach and author Dana Bernstein, PCC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabernstein/], to explore how our deepest values shape the way we experience—and resolve—conflict.

Dana’s new book, It’s the Thought That Counts: Mastering the Art of You vs. You [https://a.co/d/hZPZSda], reveals a powerful truth: most conflict begins inside ourselves. Together, Elias and Dana unpack how identifying your core values, emotional triggers, and “best self” can transform indecision, tension, and misunderstandings into clarity and purposeful action.

Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or simply navigating life’s daily challenges, this conversation offers practical tools to:

 * Recognize when your values are in conflict
 * De-escalate your own reactions before they escalate situations
 * Make decisions with more confidence and alignment
 * Help clients (and yourself) uncover the “why” behind emotions and choices

Listen in for an inspiring, actionable conversation that will help you master the art of you vs. you—and further support your clients in their decision-making process.

Connect with Dana at danalynnbernstein.com [https://danalynnbernstein.com/]

#Coaching #LeadershipDevelopment #SelfAwareness #ConflictResolution #CoreValues #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #CoachingTools #MindsetMatters #InnerCompass

You vs. You

Let's talk coaching... A spontaneous, thought-provoking, sincere, and relevant conversation on the state of the coaching profession and what it takes to be an effective, professionally trained coach. With host Elias Scultori, MCC.