Reflective Practice in Coaching: The Habit that Sustains Growth

In professional coaching, reflective practice is more than a skill — it’s a habit that sustains growth. Great coaches aren’t just good listeners; they are thoughtful learners who turn every conversation into insight. As John Whitmore reminds us in Coaching for Performance (2009), coaching is about “unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance.” Reflective practice helps coaches unlock their own potential — strengthening awareness, confidence, and impact in every coaching session.

What Is Reflective Practice in Coaching?

Reflective practice means consciously examining our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours as coaches to improve professional effectiveness. Donald Schön (1983) described two forms — reflection-in-action (thinking during coaching) and reflection-on-action (thinking after coaching). Both help coaches stay present, adaptive, and aware of how their mindset influences the client relationship.

At the British School of Coaching (BSC), we see reflection as a cornerstone of ethical and effective coaching. It encourages honesty, curiosity, and growth — qualities that define a trusted professional coach.

Experiential Learning and Growth

David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (1984) remains one of the most powerful models for coach development:
Experience → Reflection → Conceptualisation → Experimentation.
Every coaching session offers new experiences. Through reflection, we extract meaning, test new insights, and strengthen our coaching presence.

As Julie Starr notes in The Coaching Manual (2021), effective coaches are “learners of their own learning.” Reflection ensures that learning is continuous — turning knowledge into wisdom and performance into purpose.

How to Build a Reflective Coaching Habit

Myles Downey, in Effective Modern Coaching (2014), highlights that self-awareness is the foundation of professional mastery. Developing a reflective routine doesn’t require hours — it requires intention. Try:

• Keeping a reflective coaching journal — record themes, emotions, and patterns after each session.
• Engaging in coaching supervision — create a safe space to explore your practice and deepen insight.
• Joining peer learning groups — share reflections to gain perspective.
• Pausing with purpose — before each session, take a minute to centre your focus and energy.

Each of these practices supports continuous professional development (CPD) and helps coaches sustain long-term wellbeing.

Why Reflection Sustains Growth

Sustaining growth as a coach isn’t about collecting hours or techniques; it’s about maintaining curiosity and integrity. Reflection keeps our practice aligned with our values and helps prevent burnout. It brings perspective during challenge and renewal during change.

At BSC, we encourage every coach to see reflective practice not as an obligation but as a form of professional self-care — the oxygen that keeps coaching alive, relevant, and impactful.

Coaching excellence grows from reflection. By pausing, questioning, and learning from experience, we become not just better coaches — but wiser ones.