Celebrating Interdependence Day: A Foundational Coaching Concept for Aspiring Coaches
Table of Contents
What is Interdependence?
Why Interdependence Matters Now More Than Ever
Interdependence in Coaching
From Coaching to Culture: Interdependence as a Collective Strength
Navigating the “Both-And”: When to Lean In, When to Step Back
How to Celebrate Interdependence Day
Thank You for Being Part of Our Community
Celebrating Interdependence Day: A Foundational Coaching Concept for Aspiring Coaches
Each year on July 5th, right after Independence Day in the United States, Dr. Linda Bark, our Founder and CEO, invites us to pause and reflect on something equally powerful and essential: Interdependence.
Here at Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy, we mark Interdependence Day as a celebration of connection, collaboration, and wholeness. It’s a chance to honor the beautiful paradox we live with every day — the need to be both independent and interdependent at the same time.
If you're exploring a path to becoming a coach — especially a holistic coach — understanding interdependence is essential. At Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy, we believe that coaching is not about fixing, rescuing, or leading from the front, but about co-creating space for transformation. That’s why we teach interdependence not just as a concept, but as a coaching competency in our certification program.
What Is Interdependence?
Interdependence is the mutual reliance between people, systems, or parts of a whole. It means that we are both autonomous and connected — and that our actions affect those around us.
Let’s explore how this compares to other states of being:
Dependence: Relying on others without personal agency.
Independence: Standing alone, making decisions without relying on others.
Interdependence: Recognizing that strength comes from collaboration, not isolation.
From a coaching perspective, these are vital distinctions. Effective coaching relationships support clients in owning their journey (independence), while also creating a safe, connected, space (interdependence).
This integration of independence and interdependence is at the heart of our method of holistic coach training— the Wisdom of the Whole coaching model, which equips aspiring coaches with both practical coaching skills and deep awareness of human complexity.
The 5 Structures of Consciousness as part of the Wisdom of the Whole coaching model.
Why Interdependence Matters Now More Than Ever
We live in a world of increasing change, instability, complexity. polarization, and isolation, which can leave us feeling disconnected and depleted. And yet, our true nature is to be social beings — wired for belonging, empathy, consideration, compassion, and mutual support.
At the same time, we each have a deep human need to express ourselves, to make our own choices, and to walk our own unique paths. So how do we balance these drives?
We don’t have all the answers, but we do know that cultivating awareness of this balance — in ourselves, our relationships, our workplaces, and our communities — is one of the most important things we can do.
For those looking to become a life coach or holistic coach, understanding how to navigate this complexity with compassion and awareness is key. Great coaches help clients reconnect — not just with others, but with their own inner wisdom.
This is what Interdependence Day is all about.
Interdependence in Coaching
Coaching is inherently interdependent.
It’s a space where two people — coach and client — come together with a shared agreement, and at the same time, it’s a space that honors the individual path of the client.
Here’s how interdependence can show up in coaching:
The coach doesn’t “fix” anything for the client, but asks powerful questions
The client leads the coaching session, while the coach holds the space for the client to explore the focus for the session
The process is collaborative, ie. the coach can ask the client for permission to share their insights or reflections, however the coach does not offer directives for the client to follow
In addition to this, the Wisdom of the Whole coaching approach integrates multiple ways of knowing into coaching sessions as well as diverse coaching tools to support the wholeness of each client. We see this as interdependence in action: honoring both the individual voice and the larger system they’re part of.
In our coaching certification programs, we train students to:
Ask powerful, open-ended questions instead of offering solutions
Trust the client to lead the session, while providing structured support
Use permission-based coaching tools, such as offering reflections or somatic awareness prompts
These are core coaching competencies that embody interdependence: balancing client autonomy with collaborative support. That’s why we teach interdependence not just as a concept, but as a coaching competency in our certification program. It's so important to us that we utilize this in our daily operations here at Wisdom of the Whole.
From Coaching to Culture: Interdependence as a Collective Strength
Interdependence doesn’t just belong in the coaching space — it belongs in our workplaces, families, and communities.
In our coach training, we help students recognize how coaching principles like deep listening, co-creating awareness, and supporting self-generated insights extend beyond one-on-one sessions. They help build collaborative teams, healthy families, and just systems.
Consider:
Teams that value collaboration over competition
Leaders who listen and ask, “What do you need?” instead of, “Here’s what to do.”
Families who create traditions of belonging while honoring individual needs
Social movements where power is among the people, not top-down
Interdependence builds trust, resilience, strength, and shared wisdom. It is the foundation of collaborative leadership and perhaps even the antidote to burnout, separation, or fragmentation.
This mindset doesn’t ignore the value of individual autonomy. It simply reminds us that our individual flourishing is deeply tied to the well-being of the whole.
Navigating the “Both-And”: When to Lean In, When to Step Back
A recurring question we ask ourselves and invite you to reflect on, is:
When do I need to act independently, and when is it time to collaborate?
Or more deeply: Can both happen at once?
Our current systems often assume that it’s either/or, but what if life really calls for both-and? Can you think of a situation where you thought there were two options but in fact both could work together?
These same questions — “When should I lead? When should I step back?” — show up in coaching every day. Learning to hold space, ask rather than tell, and adjust your presence based on client needs are all core aspects of our holistic coach training approach.
This also shows up in decision-making styles. Consider some of these examples:
1. The leader decides alone.
2. The leader decides with input.
3. The group votes (majority, consensus, or consent-based).
4. Decisions are delegated to trusted individuals or experts.
Each of these models has different levels of inclusiveness, efficiency, and respect for autonomy. Some lean toward independence, others toward interdependence. The key is awareness — and alignment with the values of both the individual, the group and the situation.
As you move through your day, consider: What decision-making styles do I encounter most? What do they say about the balance of power, voice, and responsibility?
How to Celebrate Interdependence Day
Looking for meaningful ways to mark this day? Here are a few ideas:
Reach out to someone who has supported your growth and thank them.
Reflect on the communities you belong to — how do they shape you?
Journal about where you feel most independent, and where you long for more connection. Think about next steps based on your reflections.
Start a conversation: Ask colleagues or friends how they define interdependence.
Share this blog post with someone who values balance and collaboration.
And of course, celebrate your whole self — the one who stands on their own, receives support when needed, and is part of the lives of others.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Community
We want to take a moment to say thank you. Your presence in the Wisdom of the Whole community adds depth, energy, and heart to our collective journey.
This Interdependence Day, let’s continue honoring the balance between personal empowerment and shared humanity. Let’s listen deeply, collaborate intentionally, and keep growing together.
Wishing you a reflective and joyful Interdependence Day 2025.
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