As I sat across the desk from a new acquaintance, he shared that he meets coaches all the time in his networking activities.
As I sat across the table from a prospective client, she shared that their firm had worked with coaches for several years and appreciated the value they brought to the employees.
As we sat in the coffee shop, he shared that he had a coach previously, a mentor that had helped him get where he was today.
What all three of these conversations and individuals had in common is none had ever worked with or known a professional coach. Yet all of them had known or met coaches. How could this be?
Anyone can call themselves a coach. A life coach, a financial coach, a relationship coach and a business coach can all claim the moniker. Yet which of these would be best positioned to help you get from where you are to where you want to be. Are you confused? Rightfully so.
Start with the basics, the definition of coaching.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
Why choose that organization and their definition of coaching?
- The International Coaching Federation is the world’s largest organization of professionally trained coaches.
- The ICF accredits programs that deliver coach training. They do not offer coach training.
- Membership in the ICF is restricted to those who have completed at least 60 hours of coach-specific training that meets ICF standards.
- The ICF Credential is the only globally recognized professional coaching certification.
What does this mean to you? By focusing your search on ICF credentialed coaches you know that:
An ICF credentialed coach has invested far more than a weekend in their development as a coach. Regardless of whether they call themselves a life coach, a financial coach, a relationship coach or a business coach they have the training to help you achieve.
Should this be important to you? Is it the only criteria? No, it doesn’t have to be. There are good coaches who have been coaching for many years prior to the development of the credentialing process. Are you likely to get good results from them? Quite possibly.
But since there are now standards and formal training wouldn’t you want to partner with someone with the knowledge and experience to help you maximize your personal and professional potential? Find an ICF credentialed coach.