Deepening your ICF Core Competences

Facilitates Client Growth from a Cognitive Science Perspective "The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine." — Nikola Tesla Clients often walk away from a session with clear goals—yet nothing happens. Even experienced leaders get stuck, procrastinate, claim they "ran out of time," needed "a bit more research first," or got overwhelmed by competing operational demands. In this interactive session, we examine ICF Core Competency 8 (Facilitates Client Growth) through the lens of Cognitive Science, an interdisciplinary field connecting disciplines such as cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. We will move away from simplistic labels like "laziness" or "poor time management." Instead, we will explore the real cognitive mechanics behind client inaction: heavy cognitive load, working memory overload, step design friction, and the subtle secondary gains of the status quo. We will also look at how a breakdown in execution often points back to a session gap—when planned actions reflect perceived expectations rather than the client's true core needs. Through open discussion, live practice, and peer feedback, you will gain practical, science-backed tools to help clients design low-friction actions, safely reveal hidden resistance, and turn session discoveries into lasting behavior change. Speaker: Sabina Serikova Sabina Serikova is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Cognitive Science Expert specializing in decision architecture and burnout prevention. She holds an MSc in Cognitive Science from Osnabrück University (DAAD Scholar), combining cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind with leadership coaching. Based in Hamburg, Sabina runs an international coaching practice focused on preserving the human edge in the AI era. She helps leaders and coaching professionals reduce cognitive load, prevent burnout, and replace abstract motivation with science-backed thinking frameworks. Her work targets mental bandwidth, habit mechanics, and practical step design for sustainable results. What to expect - Value for you as a participant: 1. Rethink Client Inaction: Shift your perspective from "laziness" or "lack of discipline" to real cognitive factors, including working memory overload, step design friction, and the secondary gains of remaining in the status quo. 2. Uncover Hidden Misalignment: Learn how to identify when a non-executed action signals an undiscovered core need or an unaligned goal—and how to address it safely within coaching boundaries. 3. Refine Competency 8 Questions: Practice targeted questioning techniques during a live group exercise and receive real-time peer feedback on facilitating brain-friendly client growth. 4. Articulate Your Value with Science: Gain a clear, evidence-based vocabulary to explain why coaching works—grounding your practice in cognitive science and building greater confidence in communicating your professional value. 5. Exchange Field Experience: Discuss real client scenarios and share practical strategies with fellow ICF colleagues in an open, reflective space. More Information: CCEU: Information to follow shortly Location: Loft. Edgar-Roß-Straße 1, 20251 Hamburg Curious about "The Germany Chapter of ICF"? Your first event is free. Become a member and secure ongoing free access to our regular events – both online and in person. Please select the free introductory ticket for this. We’re looking forward to welcoming you! #coaching #ICFcoaching #icfHamburg #icfproud