In my coaching journey, I’ve come to notice how easy it is to celebrate diversity, who is present, who is represented, who has a seat at the table. And yet, I often find myself sitting with a quieter, more uncomfortable question: who is truly being heard?
As a Mozambican coach, and a native Portuguese speaker, I am often aware of how language and context shape participation. Working with professionals from South Africa and other African countries, I’ve seen meaningful progress in bringing more diverse voices into professional environments. But presence does not always translate into participation. Sometimes, the most important perspectives remain unspoken. Something that is held back by language, culture, confidence, or invisible power dynamics.
This awareness has shifted how I show up as a coach. I’ve learned that inclusion is not something I can assume, however, it is something I must practice. It lives in how I listen, the questions I choose, and the space I create for others to think and express themselves fully.
For me, inclusion has become a discipline. A conscious effort to notice who speaks easily and who hesitates. To gently invite, without forcing. To remain aware of my own biases and assumptions.
I continue to ask myself: am I only holding space, or am I shaping it in a way where every voice feels it belongs?
Sónia Joao
ICFSA Volunteer
