"In today's world, new skills are essential. My job gives me numerous opportunities for constant (informal, on-the-job) learning. Yet one of my New Year’s resolutions for 2025 was to attend a training or a course to gain new knowledge.

The very day after I had been searching the internet for a public sector course that would catch my attention, as if someone had read my thoughts, I got an email inviting me to join a blended development program aimed at developing coaching and mentoring skills. The CEF recognized that in my work in different roles at the CEF, I have shown interest and commitment to applying a people-focused approach.<

Of course, I was interested, but was it going to work out with my crazy, unpredictable, and ever-changing schedule? This was my main concern – being able to attend the pre-planned sessions, as they would be interactive and interconnected (so I could not just “read” the missed chapters to catch up).
What were my expectations?

I wanted to explore the mysterious world of coaching. Up until 20 years ago, hardly anyone had heard of it, and nowadays everybody attends coaching sessions or has a coach to improve their potential. So I was hoping to understand the difference between a coach, a mentor, an advisor, and an expert. I wanted to get additional tools to empower myself in dealing with different audiences (my colleagues from line ministries, social partners, members of parliament, students, reporters, workshop attendees). Also, in solving problems, I always have an idea and want to share it, so perhaps I do not leave enough space for others – I was looking for ways to improve this. I was also looking forward to getting additional insights on how to improve the areas I hoped I was good at – putting myself in other people's shoes and trying to understand their perspective, as well as explaining complicated things in an easy-to-understand way.

In what ways have coaching and mentoring skills supported me? What have I gained, and has anything in my life or work shifted as a result?

I cannot say that there was an “Aha! moment” during the course, but I can definitely confirm that pieces of the interaction and communication puzzle started to come together. The building blocks were:

• Effective listening – or, said poetically, “listening is an art” (by the way, listening alone is not enough; one should both listen and hear!).
• Be open / be mindful / take things into account.
• The fantastic versions of verbal (head), non-verbal (heart), and paraverbal (gut) communication.
•  The importance of breathing and the power of pauses – how to appreciate silence.
• (Constant) re-contracting with the audience.
• Giving room to others in order to secure ownership.
• I have recognized the power of metaphors. Metaphors allow a single statement to contain multiple layers of meaning – literal, symbolic, spiritual, psychological. Metaphors don’t expire.

As a result, I am now more confident in using various techniques in daily interactions, both in my private and professional life.

What insights or capabilities have I gained through the CEF Expert Development Program that can support my work?

• More than ever, I am now confident enough to stand my ground when I know or think I am right – and I am able to support this.
• I still need to listen more, avoid prejudice, be patient, and refrain from judging – and to look for compromise to solve problems and challenges.
•  I know that the key word in coaching is awareness, as well as that coaching helps individuals develop self-awareness (unleash their potential), set goals, and proactively build skills. Coaching helps individuals to grow both professionally and personally.
• We do not learn from experience, but from reflection on experience.
• I am now equipped with theoretical and practical coaching knowledge, as well as a cheat sheet of questions that help me navigate various business and private discussions.

An idiom says, you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. At the age of 50+, I do not consider myself old, but I am pleased that I have attended the coaching and mentoring course, as the nine-month journey has widened my horizons, improved my communication skills, and enriched my experience. I am truly grateful to the CEF for making it possible and would definitely encourage anyone remotely interested to do the same."