This programme develops coaches’ capacity to recognise and work effectively with cultural values and perspectives within coaching conversations while maintaining alignment with ICF Core Competencies.

Dancing Between Cultures is a professional development course designed to help coaches integrate cultural intelligence into their coaching practice. The programme introduces cultural value continuums as a framework for recognising how cultural values influence communication, leadership, identity, and decision-making.
Participants develop awareness of their own cultural perspectives and potential biases while learning to approach cultural differences with curiosity and respect. Through experiential learning and coaching practice, participants learn to recognise cultural dynamics in coaching conversations and support clients in exploring how cultural values shape their perspectives, goals, and actions.
The course consists of eight 120-minute group sessions focused on cross-cultural, values-based coaching skills and strategies. Sessions include demonstration, discussion, coaching practice, reflection, and application. Participants also read Dancing Between Cultures: Culturally Intelligent Coaching for Missions and Ministry and apply course concepts through peer coaching practice.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:
- Recognise cultural values and potential bias within coaching conversations and reflect on how their own cultural perspectives may influence the coaching relationship.
- Apply cultural value continuums as a coaching framework to explore how cultural context influences clients’ perspectives, decisions, communication styles, and leadership approaches.
- Demonstrate culturally responsive coaching skills, including active listening, curiosity, and culturally sensitive questioning that supports client awareness.
- Facilitate client insight and growth by helping clients reflect on how cultural values shape their goals, relationships, and decision-making.
- Create coaching environments that cultivate trust and safety when discussing identity, culture, and diverse perspectives.
ICF Core Competencies Addressed
This course supports the development of the following competencies defined by the International Coaching Federation:
Demonstrates Ethical Practice. Embodies a Coaching Mindset. Cultivates Trust and Safety. Listens Actively. Evokes Awareness
Facilitates Client Growth.
Training Structure
Student Contact Learning with Trainer
Eight × 120-minute group sessions focused on cross-cultural, values-based coaching skills and strategies. Sessions include demonstration, discussion, practice, reflection, and application.
Total: 16 hours
Guided Independent Study
Reading and reflection activities related to course concepts and the assigned text.
Total: 8+ hours