And yet it’s a profession I’m proud to be part of. Most coaches share similar values of partnering with people to move forward and
achieve something. We’re generally helpful and encouraging to each other and we recognise each of us has our own talents and
specialities which will attract different clients.
I've met some wonderfully supportive coaches in my teleclasses with CoachU, one of the first American coaching organisations and
leaders in defining Personal and Business Coaching. CoachU has two levels of training. The Core Essentials programme is 77 hours
of learning and I did this mainly face to face in Melbourne in 2004. The Advanced Programme is a further 98 hours of teleclasses,
practical sessions and assessments, including a 3 module ‘Personal Foundation’ programme to ensure the coach is practising what
they preach. In addition to the clarity these classes have given me, the support of my virtual coaching colleagues has been
tremendous.
The international body working for high coaching standards is the International Coaching Federation (ICF). I’m now an Associate
Certified Coach. This accreditation required upholding the ICF’s ethics, 60 hours of approved training and 100 hours of coaching
together with 2 letters of recommendation from recognised mentor coaches. The mentor coaches needed to hear me coach (in line
with ICF standards) so the logistics were quite a challenge! On top of this I had a test with the ICF involving 'real life' coaching of a
senior coach for 30 minutes by phone. Apart from the rigour of process, the ICF is different because it is independent of any training
organisation. There are plenty of official sounding coaching organisations but most are agencies offering training for coaches in
specific methodology and then selling them marketing and referral services.
In my experience, people don’t choose a coach primarily by their qualifications, but I think it’s important for our development as a
profession and the trust of our clients that we have overt standards and a code of ethics. It’s the same with any profession, I went
through similar processes with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. It
gives focus to my continuous professional development and in turn ensures I'm giving my best to my clients.
achieve something. We’re generally helpful and encouraging to each other and we recognise each of us has our own talents and
specialities which will attract different clients.
I've met some wonderfully supportive coaches in my teleclasses with CoachU, one of the first American coaching organisations and
leaders in defining Personal and Business Coaching. CoachU has two levels of training. The Core Essentials programme is 77 hours
of learning and I did this mainly face to face in Melbourne in 2004. The Advanced Programme is a further 98 hours of teleclasses,
practical sessions and assessments, including a 3 module ‘Personal Foundation’ programme to ensure the coach is practising what
they preach. In addition to the clarity these classes have given me, the support of my virtual coaching colleagues has been
tremendous.
The international body working for high coaching standards is the International Coaching Federation (ICF). I’m now an Associate
Certified Coach. This accreditation required upholding the ICF’s ethics, 60 hours of approved training and 100 hours of coaching
together with 2 letters of recommendation from recognised mentor coaches. The mentor coaches needed to hear me coach (in line
with ICF standards) so the logistics were quite a challenge! On top of this I had a test with the ICF involving 'real life' coaching of a
senior coach for 30 minutes by phone. Apart from the rigour of process, the ICF is different because it is independent of any training
organisation. There are plenty of official sounding coaching organisations but most are agencies offering training for coaches in
specific methodology and then selling them marketing and referral services.
In my experience, people don’t choose a coach primarily by their qualifications, but I think it’s important for our development as a
profession and the trust of our clients that we have overt standards and a code of ethics. It’s the same with any profession, I went
through similar processes with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. It
gives focus to my continuous professional development and in turn ensures I'm giving my best to my clients.
Coaching Clarity
Soul Sanook Coaching
Copyright 2009 Soul Sanook Coaching. All rights reserved. |
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Networking event in Bangkok, Thailand….
“And what do you do?” “I’m a Life Coach.” “A what?!”
Networking event in Surrey, UK
“And what do you do?” “I’m a Life Coach.” “Not another one?!”
I used to get raised eyebrows when I introduced myself as a consultant. Everyone
seemed to have a different idea of what consultancy was and many just knew it as a
label you used when unemployed! Coaching is no easier. As it gains popularity in
Europe, everyone from therapists to debt advisors are adding ‘coach’ to their title.
Coaching qualifications are gained by spending anything from a few hours to several
years in training and there is little regulation. The range of roles described as
coaching and the newness of the profession make it a confusing area.
“And what do you do?” “I’m a Life Coach.” “A what?!”
Networking event in Surrey, UK
“And what do you do?” “I’m a Life Coach.” “Not another one?!”
I used to get raised eyebrows when I introduced myself as a consultant. Everyone
seemed to have a different idea of what consultancy was and many just knew it as a
label you used when unemployed! Coaching is no easier. As it gains popularity in
Europe, everyone from therapists to debt advisors are adding ‘coach’ to their title.
Coaching qualifications are gained by spending anything from a few hours to several
years in training and there is little regulation. The range of roles described as
coaching and the newness of the profession make it a confusing area.
| Written by Debbie Reeds, Life and Executive Coach, www.soulsanook.com info@soulsanook.com |