Conversations with Coaches: Rafal Szaniawski on Grief Coaching

Welcome to another episode of *Conversations with Coaches*. In this episode, I sit down with Rafal Szaniawski, a Master Certified Coach (MCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation, Senior Practitioner and Accredited Supervisor with the EMCC, founder of *The Impermanent Human*, and co-author of *Solution Focused Team Coaching*. Rafal specializes in supporting individuals and organizations through change, loss, and transition. Drawing on his extensive experience in coaching, supervision, and specialist training in bereavement and palliative care, he offers a perspective on coaching that embraces one of the most universal yet often overlooked aspects of human life: impermanence. This conversation explores what grief-informed coaching really means—and why understanding loss is relevant far beyond bereavement. We discuss how coaches can work with clients experiencing endings, uncertainty, identity shifts, career transitions, and major life changes without trying to "fix" grief or rush people toward solutions. We also explore themes that frequently arise in this work: • The role of grief and loss in coaching conversations • Identity transitions and navigating uncertainty • Holding space without trying to remove discomfort • Supporting clients through endings, change, and new beginnings • The connection between impermanence, resilience, and personal growth • Coaching presence in emotionally complex conversations • The importance of supervision when working with difficult client experiences Rafal offers a thoughtful perspective on how coaches can remain fully present with clients during moments of vulnerability, while respecting the boundaries between coaching, therapy, and grief support. Rather than viewing grief as something to overcome, he invites us to see it as a natural part of being human - one that can deepen awareness, compassion, and meaningful change. This episode is especially relevant for: • Coaches supporting clients through change and transition • Coach supervisors and mentor coaches • Leadership and executive coaches working with uncertainty and organizational change • Coaches interested in grief-informed coaching and emotionally complex conversations • Anyone curious about the intersection of coaching, loss, resilience, and human development Rafal's details and relevant links: Website: www.theimpermanenthuman.com http://www.theimpermanenthuman.com LinkedIn:   / coachraf   We are a coaching and coach training company. At UpThink Coaching, we train coaches to see coaching as more than a skill - as a way of being. Through an intercultural, emotional, and relational lens, our coaches learn to hold space where real transformation begins: in human connection. We believe that effective coaching goes beyond achieving outcomes; it engages the whole human being who seeks them. If you're interested in becoming a certified coach (ICF Level 1, ACC path), or you're a coach looking for advanced training (ICF Level 2, PCC path) as well as meaningful, ongoing professional development, visit us at: https://upthinkcoaching.com/coach-tra... or email us at: info@upthinkcoaching.com mail to: info@upthinkcoaching.com