** Coaches brought in “safe” or overused topics — like digital detox, prioritization, or building a coaching business.

** Many had already talked through the issue with 3 other coaches.
** A lot of self-coaching had already been done.

The result?
I wasn’t getting challenged. And I wasn’t able to challenge either.
So, I got intentional.
And here’s what I changed...

How I Made Peer Coaching Actually Work for Me:
1️. Treat each other as real clients
We set exclusive overarching goals for our sessions — no recycled topics. If they’d already brainstormed it elsewhere, we skipped it.
2️. Say no to generic “coach-the-coach” themes
We stayed away from coaching biz topics unless they revealed real beliefs or fears. 

3️. Contract like you mean it 

We agreed on a 6-month partnership — one session a month, with role reversal on different days.

No back-to-back coach–coachee switches. Why? Because presence matters. And mentally shifting roles within 10 minutes? Not ideal.

Contracting is your superpower. Be clear, be kind, and be curious.
Just because it’s “peer” coaching doesn’t mean it has to be casual or compromised. 

4️. Keep the feedback loop open

We asked each other:

Was I over-self-coaching? 

Did I show up as a genuine client?

Did I reflect meaningfully, or just “respond”?

Pros & Cons of Peer Coaching:

When done well:
** Direct and genuine feedback on ICF competencies & language
** Safe space to experiment with techniques and get feedback
** Regular practice = confidence booster
** A peer’s lens is sharper for feedback than a real client’s

If not designed well:
** Can become rehearsed or inauthentic
** Easy to slip into “coaching the topic” vs “coaching the person”
** Back-to-back roles dilute presence and impact

So, next time you consider peer coaching — ask yourself:
** Am I showing up like a real client?
** Am I inviting challenge and feedback?
Because when we take our peers seriously, they help us grow seriously too.
If this approach resonated with you, and you’d like to join my upcoming Mentor Coaching batch: Register for a free chemistry session here: https://lnkd.in/gvkN5tqp