Checking Myself First: Lessons from the ICF Philippines DEIB Event
- Crystal Chu
- Sep 25
- 1 min read
I recently joined the ICF Philippines Chapter DEIB event — thank you to the ICF DEIB team for creating such a meaningful space. 🙏
It stirred something I’d always carried with me from my days as an actor. Back then, we trained to shed what was ours — stepping aside so we could embody someone else. 🎭 Becoming a mirror.
In coaching, I’ve realized the same practice applies. Before every session, I pause. I check my own biases, emotions, and opinions. I notice what comes up, and I park it. Later, I come back to it — to trace the origins of those triggers. Where do they come from? What part of me still needs understanding?
The more I understand myself, the freer I am to hold space for someone else. 🌱
That’s what DEIB looks like in practice: not theory, but presence. Not just awareness of difference, but respect for uniqueness.
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