ICF Conference Dubai 2014

An Update Created by  Kyla Neil
(ICA Graduate, DUBAI)

Myself (Kyla Neill) and Samar Naim attended the very 1st International Coaching Federation (ICF) Middle East Conference here in Dubai over the weekend of the 21^st/22^nd of November 2014. We couldn’t contain our excitement about how inspiring, wonderful and insightful the whole event was. The conference showcased what coaching is and how it can impact everyone! In fact, the Conference was based around the theme “Coaching For Impact”.

There were fantastic speakers with the two keynotes Marshall Goldsmith and Janet Harvey. Marshall Goldsmith is listed as one of the Top 50 thinkers in the world and he gave an energetic presentation on behavior change and successful leadership. Janet Harvey the former Present of the ICF presented a truly inspirational speech and she is a woman who literally embodies coaching and “walks the talk” in everything she does. Janet was so kind as to coach Samar and me about how to use that “I don’t know” question our clients say to us and turn that around and rethink it as a time for celebration. A time to just “be” with the client, not analyze or force them into a decision, but allow for quiet time and space to be in the moment and be open to what is about to emerge.

They were joined by a variety of other speakers who traveled from various parts of the world. A couple to note and the highlight was firstly DeAnna Murphy who gave us an insight into the strengths finder and appreciative inquiry as a tool to help clients find their goal and to get them unstuck, she calls it, Discovery – Dream – Design – Destiny! One of our favorite speakers of the weekend!

Dr. Tobias Kiefer, Head of Coaching & Development for Ernst & Young spoke candidly about how learning and developing has now been reframed and put back to the employee by asking them to “play their part”. Habit formation and Neurology of Coaching was also a very interesting discussion during his presentation.

What a milestone this was within the Coaching Industry here in the Middle East. Samar and I are so honored and proud to be a part of the very first one! Dates have been confirmed already for 2015 and they are 20^th and 21^st of November so feel free to come and see us here in Dubai.