Exploring Intersectionality in Coaching: A Roundtable Discussion With Myira Khan and Lou Chiu

In this fascinating episode of Coaching Uncaged, Animas Centre Director Robert Stephenson is joined by Culture and Relationship Coach Lou Chiu, and counsellor, therapeutic coach and supervisor Myira Khan for a roundtable discussion exploring the concept of intersectionality and its relation to coaching and beyond. 

Myira and Lou share their backgrounds around this interesting framework, highlighting where their interest stems from, before sharing what we mean when we talk about intersectionality, how it shows up in the coaching space for those that aren’t familiar with it and why bringing this framework into your work can be greatly beneficial both in the coaching relationship, as well as in our relationship with our own sense of self. 

They also explore the different elements that create an individual’s identity, both internal and external, how the varying levels of power and powerlessness attached to these elements intersect, and how important this is for coachees when considering “who am I? And what’s my narrative or journey?”

Lou and Myira also touch on their work around allyship, organisational culture as well as bringing in some interesting concepts such as ‘code switching’, the notion of their being two truths in the coaching space, and the idea of ‘social location’ - how we are placed in the world and how we show up as a result. 

You can find out more about their work here 👇

Lou: https://louchiu.com/

Myira: https://www.myirakhancounselling.co.uk/

We hope that you enjoy this episode, what are your key takeaways?