Soul Sessions: Why Ethical Coaching Matters More Than Ever – Big Five Personality Traits

Podcast: Soul Sessions | Jungian Coaching Podcast by CreativeMind
Hosts: Debra Berndt Maldonado & Robert Maldonado, PhD
Episode Date: January 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Soul Sessions episode, Debra Berndt Maldonado and Dr. Rob Maldonado delve into conscientiousness, the second of the Big Five personality traits, and its crucial role in ethical coaching. Drawing from their Jungian depth psychology background, they examine how structure, boundaries, and ethical practice create a reliable space for client transformation. The episode contrasts rigid and flexible approaches, the pitfalls of unstructured technique-based coaching, and the deep value of coaching as a guided, long-term journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Role of Conscientiousness in Coaching

• Conscientiousness is highlighted as essential for structure, accountability, and ethical boundaries in coaching.

• It is balanced against openness, the previous episode's topic, to showcase the spectrum between freedom and necessary structure.

  “Conscientiousness is the ability to be structured in our approach to coaching and ethical, of course.”
  — Dr. Rob Maldonado [01:05]

• Going too far into conscientiousness leads to perfectionism, rigidity, and loss of authenticity.

  “…so conscientious that we don't even ask questions, you know, like, almost like…I can't ask that question.”
  — Deborah Maldonado [01:53]

2. Masking with the Persona & Authenticity

• Discussion of the Jungian concept of the Persona as a mask; some coaches perform conscientiousness at the expense of authenticity.

• Over-polishing can make real connection difficult.

  “You're trying to be so perfect and so polished…It's hard to connect.”
  — Deborah Maldonado [03:01]

3. Ethics and Structure in an Unregulated Field

• The coaching field's lack of regulation compared to therapy is a concern.

• Many new coaches lack training in ethics and methodology, sometimes only deploying a single technique.

  “Coaching is an unregulated field. So many people call themselves coaches and don't have training as a coach. They're not trained in ethics…”
  — Deborah Maldonado [04:37]

• Structured frameworks (like Jungian individuation) offer a coherent journey rather than symptom-based, ad-hoc fixes.

4. Importance of Theory vs. Techniques

• Debra and Rob emphasize that theory gives context and a roadmap for transformation, while techniques are only tools.

  “We always emphasize theory because theory provides that structure…helps you guide your client through a difficult process.”
  — Dr. Rob Maldonado [06:40]

• Sole reliance on techniques keeps clients (and coaches) stuck in symptom treatment rather than deeper growth.

5. Coaching as a Journey, Not Quick Fix

• One-off sessions are discouraged for sustainable transformation—for both client and coach.

• Proper coaching involves a longer commitment, typically a minimum of three months.

  “Coaching is a process…It’s a journey you’re taking a client on…if you’re only trained in a technique, you’re not trained in a system.”
  — Deborah Maldonado [07:33]

6. Ethical Responsibilities: Accountability, Boundaries, and “The Container”

• Accountability: Coaches must be answerable for the client’s process, using structure and clear goals.

• Boundaries: Essential for professionalism and to model boundary-setting for clients. Includes not coaching friends/family (dual relationships), and setting office hours and communication limitations.

• The Container: Sessions are sacred spaces; both coach and client must honor presence and minimize distractions.

  “The session itself is basically a container from start to finish…It should have a certain start quality and a certain end quality.”
  — Deborah Maldonado [17:12]

  “If you don’t keep boundaries as a coach…your clients are not going to be able to keep boundaries with people in their life.”
  — Deborah Maldonado [16:46]

7. The Risks of Over-Rigidity – The Shadow of Conscientiousness

• Coaches may become too literal about techniques or scripts, losing flexibility and empathy.

• Authenticity and “being present” surpass rote application.

  “Jung’s approach was simply this, right, forget everything you learned about theory and technique and simply be present with this person. One soul talking to another soul.”
  — Dr. Rob Maldonado [22:11]

8. Practical Examples and Pet Peeves

• Debra’s pet peeves: one-off sessions and rigid consult scripts, both of which undermine true coaching impact.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On coaching as structure and journey:

  “If you don't have that structure, you don't have a journey you're taking a client on, you can quickly fall into…fixing and band-aiding symptoms.”
  — Deborah Maldonado [05:39]

• On boundaries and time management:

  “You have your own policy…you say, I’m not going to answer emails on the weekend…clients are not going to be able to keep boundaries with people in their life.”
  — Deborah Maldonado [15:52, 16:46]

• On the “container” of the session:

  “It is kind of a, like you say, a sacred activity, right. Or space that we're creating in this coaching experience.”
  — Dr. Rob Maldonado [18:09]

Important Timestamps

• 01:05 – Introduction to conscientiousness and structure in coaching
• 03:01 – Persona as a mask and losing authenticity
• 04:37 – Lack of regulation in coaching, ethics
• 06:40 – Importance of theory vs. technique
• 07:33 – Coaching as a long-term process; pitfalls of one-off sessions
• 11:23 – Role of accountability in transformation
• 14:52 – Boundaries, dual relationships, and ethical coaching
• 17:12 – “The container”: creating and maintaining sacred space for coaching
• 20:21 – The shadow of conscientiousness: over-rigidity and inflexibility
• 22:11 – Jung’s advice: presence over rigidity

Episode Flow & Tone

• The episode is a mix of practical advice, theoretical insight, and personal stories, all in a conversational, warm, and straightforward manner.
• Both hosts advocate for compassion, structure, and self-awareness in the coaching profession, aiming to elevate standards and inspire ethical, transformative practices.

Summary

This episode is essential listening for current and aspiring coaches seeking to understand why conscientiousness and ethics must be central to effective, transformative coaching. The hosts’ Jungian approach emphasizes that true change emerges from structured, long-term work within clear ethical boundaries—not through quick fixes or over-rigid methods. Presence, accountability, boundaries, and a coherent journey are the foundations for deep, lasting client transformation.