29 November 2023
Linbert Spencer OBE, EMCC Non-executive Director and the EMCC Global Lead on Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality, continues his series on affirmations for inclusive mentors, coaches, and supervisors.
Inclusive mentoring, coaching or supervising is an intentional relationship of influence, the purpose of which is to cause ‘the other’ to consistently experience a sense of inclusion during the process. This is effected when they feel respected, valued, safe, trusted, and have a sense of belonging.
I believe affirmations are a useful contribution to our professional activities. Here are the affirmations we have explored so far:
Affirmations 1 and 2
Affirmations 3 and 4
Affirmation 5
Here is a foundational affirmation for the inclusive mentor, coach or supervisor, and I recommend you use it as the start to all your affirmations:
Foundational affirmation
I am an inclusive mentor/coach/supervisor.
I actively manage inclusion.
I value diversity.
I promote equality and I combat discrimination.
And now, here is this month’s affirmation:
Affirmation 6
I know that a diverse team doesn’t mean an inclusive team.
I consistently seek to enable my clients to understand this.
Inclusive mentors, coaches or supervisors are aware that diversity and inclusion are different things, and they help their clients to avoid the mistake of seeing diversity and assuming it is inclusion.
Intentionality is key if we are to be more effective, inclusive mentors, coaches or supervisors. Taking control of our self-talk by practising affirmations daily is a great habit to cultivate. Don’t just use the ones I suggest. Build on them as your situation changes, but remember the basic rules.
Powerful affirmations are personal, present tense and positive, and focused on who you want to be, and what you want to do, not on what you don't want. Affirming first thing in the morning and last thing at night and speaking or writing the affirmation rather than just thinking it, is a powerful way to move more quickly towards being who you want to be, and consistently doing what you have committed to do.
I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts about the affirmations as we move through the series – whether you find them useful, or if they’ve simply used up 10 minutes of your life that you’ll never get back! Let me know by clicking the link below.
Linbert Spencer OBE is an EMCC UK Non-Executive Director. He is the EMCC Global Lead on Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality.
Image by Sammie Chaffin