Just starting out? New to coaching?
We've got you covered.
Dear Future Coach,
Whether you are completely new to coaching, or just starting out, you have landed on the right page. We cover questions about the coaching industry standards and what to expect.
Whether you are completely new to coaching, or just starting out, you have landed on the right page. We cover questions about the coaching industry standards and what to expect.
Do I need a coaching credential?
You would think I would carry a bias around becoming a credentialed coach because I am one. However, in this article I will be taking an honest look at the ups and downs of credentialing, clients and coaching industry trends. I’m going to cover five challenges to consider before deciding to pursue training or to continue on and earn a professional credential.
Read More Here: Do I need a coaching Credential?
Read More Here: Do I need a coaching Credential?
Certification vs. Accreditation
Ok. I’m going to be really honest and go against the grain here. I’m not sure why my profession landed on the word “coach” as our collective title. First, when I hear coach, my brain often defaults to football or basketball. Being that we share the title of athletic coaches, it obviously has created some confusion.
Second, the word coach does not really do “what we do” justice. Those of you in the profession know what I mean. What happens in coaching sessions is amazing to witness! Coaching believes that each client carries deeper levels of wisdom and knowledge, about what is best for them, within. I call this, ‘the wisdom waiting within.’ Yet, we aren’t guides, or mentors per se.
Well, coaching it is!
A Peer-Regulated Industry
Read More About Certification & Accreditation: Breakdown of Industry Standards Here.
Second, the word coach does not really do “what we do” justice. Those of you in the profession know what I mean. What happens in coaching sessions is amazing to witness! Coaching believes that each client carries deeper levels of wisdom and knowledge, about what is best for them, within. I call this, ‘the wisdom waiting within.’ Yet, we aren’t guides, or mentors per se.
Well, coaching it is!
A Peer-Regulated Industry
Read More About Certification & Accreditation: Breakdown of Industry Standards Here.
Coaching Industry Standards
Coaching is a peer regulated industry, just like personal training, construction, technology and yoga - to name a few. The International Coach Federation (ICF) is the original standard setter for the coaching field. The ICF ensures that coaching programs meet standards and teach around the 81 Core Coaching Competencies. These competencies were set forth to protect the coaching industry as it expands as a distinct discipline.
The ICF is recognized globally and both certifies coaches and accredits coach training programs. ICF certification is sought after, or in some cases, required for hiring by corporate parties and increasingly with private coaching clients.
The ICF has established three tiers of professional coaching and coach training.
THREE LEVELS OF TRAINING:
ICF CREDENTIALING OVERVIEW:
The ICF is recognized globally and both certifies coaches and accredits coach training programs. ICF certification is sought after, or in some cases, required for hiring by corporate parties and increasingly with private coaching clients.
The ICF has established three tiers of professional coaching and coach training.
THREE LEVELS OF TRAINING:
- Coaching Foundations – Training in foundations is perfect for professionals adding coaching skills to an already existing career. For example, in counseling, therapy, management, consulting or leadership. (See the ACC credential path below.)
- Proficiency – This level is considered full coach training. It is perfect for professionals looking to contract with private clients. At this level you are trained, mentored and evaluated at professional level advanced coaching skills. (See the PCC credential path below.)
- Master Coach – This level is for coaches who have been trained, certified and in the field for years. Master coaches have over 200 hours of accredited training and have over 2,500 hours of coaching experience. (See the MCC credential path below.)
ICF CREDENTIALING OVERVIEW:
- ACC = Associate Certified Coach = 60+ Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) / 100+ hours of post-training coaching (See ACSTCH below)
- PCC = Professional Certified Coach = 125+ Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) / 500+ hours of post-training coaching (See ACTP below)
- MCC = Master Certified Coach = 200+ ACTP and/or Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours / 2,500+ hours of post-training coaching
In academia there are degrees at baccalaureate level (BA), master degree level (MA) and doctorate level (PhD). In the coaching world, the ACC-ACSTCH level training is the BA level in the coaching world. The PCC-ACTP level of training equates to the master's degree in the coaching world, and the MCC would be the equivalent of reaching doctorate level, in the coaching world.
WHAT TO CONSIDER:
Consider what level of training you need, or desire.
For example:
FINANCIAL RETURN:
PCC level training (ACTP) has the professional advantages of 1) contracting with private clients, 2) setting your own rates, or 3) applying for promotions in your career as a result of the coaching skill-set.
PCC training is currently one third of the cost of obtaining a second degree, or master's degree, yet takes one half of the time. Coaching rates at a PCC level run between $75/hr - $500/hr depending on the industry you serve.
WHAT TO CONSIDER:
Consider what level of training you need, or desire.
For example:
- I'm a manager desiring to add coaching skills to my leadership approach. --> ACC Level Program / ACSTH path
- I desire to contract with private clients or organizations as an independent. --> PCC Level Program / ACTP path
FINANCIAL RETURN:
PCC level training (ACTP) has the professional advantages of 1) contracting with private clients, 2) setting your own rates, or 3) applying for promotions in your career as a result of the coaching skill-set.
PCC training is currently one third of the cost of obtaining a second degree, or master's degree, yet takes one half of the time. Coaching rates at a PCC level run between $75/hr - $500/hr depending on the industry you serve.
Certification available through IIct
Certified Professional Integrative Coach Training Program (CPIC): An Accredited Coach Training Program
It is one thing to earn competency in coaching skills and professional standards. It is another to help someone reach the next level in their life by supporting them as they step into their full human capacity and put all of their human intelligences to work. Big difference! We aren’t content with basic skills; any school can teach basic coaching skills. We take you miles further.
We are the only training that delivers the Integrative Intelligence® coaching framework.
Integrative Coaching is a highly specialized process putting people in touch with their fullest human capacity.
Read more about our ICF Accredited Coach Training Program: Certified Professional Integrative Coach (CPIC) Program
Leadership Coaching Specialization
Leaders get into leadership because they have a vision and a strong personality for implementation. Many leaders, consciously or unconsciously, can become stuck in their ways.
A powerful leadership coach helps integrate the intelligence of the leader with their heart by facilitating more inspiring and collaborative conversations. When this happens, it is a huge breath of fresh air for everyone in the organization.
Coaches come in and help leaders align with better solutions that leave a positive impact in all areas.
Read more about our Leadership Coaching Specialization.
It is one thing to earn competency in coaching skills and professional standards. It is another to help someone reach the next level in their life by supporting them as they step into their full human capacity and put all of their human intelligences to work. Big difference! We aren’t content with basic skills; any school can teach basic coaching skills. We take you miles further.
We are the only training that delivers the Integrative Intelligence® coaching framework.
Integrative Coaching is a highly specialized process putting people in touch with their fullest human capacity.
Read more about our ICF Accredited Coach Training Program: Certified Professional Integrative Coach (CPIC) Program
Leadership Coaching Specialization
Leaders get into leadership because they have a vision and a strong personality for implementation. Many leaders, consciously or unconsciously, can become stuck in their ways.
A powerful leadership coach helps integrate the intelligence of the leader with their heart by facilitating more inspiring and collaborative conversations. When this happens, it is a huge breath of fresh air for everyone in the organization.
Coaches come in and help leaders align with better solutions that leave a positive impact in all areas.
Read more about our Leadership Coaching Specialization.
return on investment for coaches
the extraordinary benefits of a kickass coach training program
The benefits of being properly coach trained far surpass the classroom. It is a game changer in life, in love and in professional agility.
Personal Happiness & Fulfillment Redefined
Learning tools that empower other people, can’t help but empower you along the way. Living with the mindset of empowerment and possibility is an incredible shift for people and a complete game changer for your future.
This is because a kickass coaching program teaches you:
No other profession I’m aware offers such rich and fulfilling personal gain and set of new tools to use! When you get coach training, you gain access to a whole new life. You learn how to live a life where your best self gets to come forth and be in the lead.
Kobi Yamada asked, “What if the rest of your life was the best of your life?”
With coach training, your relationships are rewarded. Your relationship to others shifts from problem centric to possibility oriented. Your relationship to yourself is completely enhanced, positively impacting your physical health, emotional world and inner-critic.
People thrive when they have the tools to master their life and help others master theirs. The personal gain from transformational coach training alone surpasses the worth of the investment for many.
Professional Leverage
The tools you learn leverage you wherever you take your life. You learn how to talk to people differently, value yourself in new ways and listen in ways that heighten your understanding.
As coach you know what is possible and you bring the empowering perspectives with you wherever you go, helping people you touch move from stuck to unobstructed.
Coach training translates to anything and everything you professionally undertake.
Options Open Up
Being trained in coaching gives you the option to take on private clients and impact many people’s lives. Each person you help empower, positively impacts the people in their lives too. I’ve had wives thank me for the transform that took place in their spouse and marriage as a result of coaching.
Some people take on clients 100%. Others coach part-time on the side and still hold a job. And others do something else they love doing and coaching part-time allows them additional flexibility to travel, retire or do a hobby.
Either way, being trained gives opens up options and gives you the tools to get you there!
Bottom Line
Attending a kick-ass coach training program is a life changing and professionally empowering choice to make. Because of its very enlightening and evoking nature, coaching puts you on a completely new path, opening you up to new possibilities.
To have training that enlivens your personal life, enhances all of your relationships and provides you with professional options so that you can create your life, on your terms, is a powerful opportunity!
Coaching teaches us to not only think outside of the box, but also shows us that the box does not even exist.
Personal Happiness & Fulfillment Redefined
Learning tools that empower other people, can’t help but empower you along the way. Living with the mindset of empowerment and possibility is an incredible shift for people and a complete game changer for your future.
This is because a kickass coaching program teaches you:
- Powerful tools to get unstuck
- Perspectives that unleash your potential
- How to ask those deeply provocative questions that change lives
- To challenge your own assumptions
- How to identify your own power leaks
- Be amazed as you track your own growth
No other profession I’m aware offers such rich and fulfilling personal gain and set of new tools to use! When you get coach training, you gain access to a whole new life. You learn how to live a life where your best self gets to come forth and be in the lead.
Kobi Yamada asked, “What if the rest of your life was the best of your life?”
With coach training, your relationships are rewarded. Your relationship to others shifts from problem centric to possibility oriented. Your relationship to yourself is completely enhanced, positively impacting your physical health, emotional world and inner-critic.
People thrive when they have the tools to master their life and help others master theirs. The personal gain from transformational coach training alone surpasses the worth of the investment for many.
Professional Leverage
The tools you learn leverage you wherever you take your life. You learn how to talk to people differently, value yourself in new ways and listen in ways that heighten your understanding.
As coach you know what is possible and you bring the empowering perspectives with you wherever you go, helping people you touch move from stuck to unobstructed.
Coach training translates to anything and everything you professionally undertake.
Options Open Up
Being trained in coaching gives you the option to take on private clients and impact many people’s lives. Each person you help empower, positively impacts the people in their lives too. I’ve had wives thank me for the transform that took place in their spouse and marriage as a result of coaching.
Some people take on clients 100%. Others coach part-time on the side and still hold a job. And others do something else they love doing and coaching part-time allows them additional flexibility to travel, retire or do a hobby.
Either way, being trained gives opens up options and gives you the tools to get you there!
Bottom Line
Attending a kick-ass coach training program is a life changing and professionally empowering choice to make. Because of its very enlightening and evoking nature, coaching puts you on a completely new path, opening you up to new possibilities.
To have training that enlivens your personal life, enhances all of your relationships and provides you with professional options so that you can create your life, on your terms, is a powerful opportunity!
Coaching teaches us to not only think outside of the box, but also shows us that the box does not even exist.
How do I tell if a program or school is a good fit?
The video below answers tow questions:
1. How can I find a good school and program?
2. What is unique about IICT versus other programs?
How much training do I need?
Once you decide you want coach training, many people ask: “How much training is enough?”
Not all professionals need the same level of training to be effective. The answer to this question depends on your goals.
If you only want a coaching skills to add to and existing modality or career path, then you wouldn’t need the full professional “PCC” level training.
If however, you want coaching to be your primary modality and you wish to work one-to-one with clients, then the full PCC training will ensure you have enough basics PCC skills to uphold professional standards and grow into a truly masterful coach.
Below is a suggested rule of thumb:
Note: The International Coach Federation (ICF) requires a minimum of 60 hours “approved coach specific training hours” or “ACSTH” to meet base level coaching standards.
Becoming a full time coach or switching to coaching as your primary modality: 125 hours +
The ICF governs these "PPC" level programs as “accredited coach training programs” or “ACTP”s.
Many programs that are ACTP also offer smaller program options. For example we offer Coaching Foundations (12 hours) and Advanced Concepts (31-82 hours). Then our full ACTP program is 127 hours and includes certification.
Not all professionals need the same level of training to be effective. The answer to this question depends on your goals.
If you only want a coaching skills to add to and existing modality or career path, then you wouldn’t need the full professional “PCC” level training.
If however, you want coaching to be your primary modality and you wish to work one-to-one with clients, then the full PCC training will ensure you have enough basics PCC skills to uphold professional standards and grow into a truly masterful coach.
Below is a suggested rule of thumb:
- Consultants: 30+ hours – adding coaching skills to compliment guidance
- Health practitioners: 60 hours – adding lifestyle goal attainment to health consultations
- Yoga instructors: 30 hours – adding coaching skills to group instruction
- Therapists: 60+ hours – adding coaching skills into therapy sessions
- Business owners (interface with private clients): 30 hours
Note: The International Coach Federation (ICF) requires a minimum of 60 hours “approved coach specific training hours” or “ACSTH” to meet base level coaching standards.
Becoming a full time coach or switching to coaching as your primary modality: 125 hours +
The ICF governs these "PPC" level programs as “accredited coach training programs” or “ACTP”s.
Many programs that are ACTP also offer smaller program options. For example we offer Coaching Foundations (12 hours) and Advanced Concepts (31-82 hours). Then our full ACTP program is 127 hours and includes certification.
History of professional coaching
Over 3 decades ago a distinction came into being. There was a budding awareness that true empowerment comes from within. No matter how much advice I get, I will not feel as inspired until my inner yes lights up.
Coaching was the answer to the question: "How does one help someone move beyond learning success externally to learning success internally?"
Success can be taught, yet, only up to a point. There is a point where one's potential can only be found when they relinquish learning externally and dig deep within for answers... their answers.
The Course in Miracles states: "You have [been] taught what you are. You have yet to allow what you are teach you."
Coaching was born of the recognition that true potential comes from an inner exploration, uprooting limited beliefs, locating the wisdom of the True Self.
The term coaching was also born when people, like Thomas Leonard, learned that other modalities were already in place and not capturing the essence of what was happening in coaching.
Consultants gave specialized advice and information. Therapists guided their patients to emotional healing. Mentors and clergy offered advice on how to approach a trial. Yet, there was nothing yet that truly captured the heart and essence of the process that invoked a person's own wisdom to come forth.
So over a decade ago, the distinction of coaching was born.
Coaching was the answer to the question: "How does one help someone move beyond learning success externally to learning success internally?"
Success can be taught, yet, only up to a point. There is a point where one's potential can only be found when they relinquish learning externally and dig deep within for answers... their answers.
The Course in Miracles states: "You have [been] taught what you are. You have yet to allow what you are teach you."
Coaching was born of the recognition that true potential comes from an inner exploration, uprooting limited beliefs, locating the wisdom of the True Self.
The term coaching was also born when people, like Thomas Leonard, learned that other modalities were already in place and not capturing the essence of what was happening in coaching.
Consultants gave specialized advice and information. Therapists guided their patients to emotional healing. Mentors and clergy offered advice on how to approach a trial. Yet, there was nothing yet that truly captured the heart and essence of the process that invoked a person's own wisdom to come forth.
So over a decade ago, the distinction of coaching was born.
The term coach, comes from the horse and buggy days. Coaches didn't have a fixed point of reference. A coach showed up and the person hiring the coach said, "I'd like to go to the beach. " And the coach proceeded in the direction the client asked.
In both therapy and consulting there is a set path and destination that the therapist and consultant provide.
In coaching, the client is the one in the driver's seat at all times, "Sir, please take me by Woolsworth on the way to the beach."
This concept, of facilitating wisdom to come forth, is also secretly captured in the ancient text of the Tao Te Ching:
“A leader is best
When people barely know he exists.
Of a good leader, who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say, “We did this ourselves.”
― Lao Tzu
In coaching, as compared to other modalities, we lead by following the wisdom of the client and we hold the container to get them to their destination.
In both therapy and consulting there is a set path and destination that the therapist and consultant provide.
In coaching, the client is the one in the driver's seat at all times, "Sir, please take me by Woolsworth on the way to the beach."
This concept, of facilitating wisdom to come forth, is also secretly captured in the ancient text of the Tao Te Ching:
“A leader is best
When people barely know he exists.
Of a good leader, who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say, “We did this ourselves.”
― Lao Tzu
In coaching, as compared to other modalities, we lead by following the wisdom of the client and we hold the container to get them to their destination.
PDF ARTICLES FOR DOWNLOAD:
| Exciting Trends in Coaching - ROI.pdf |
| Becoming a Coach |
| Industry Distinctions: Coaching/Counseling/Consulting Differentials |
NEXT:
Review the robust
IICT Integrative Modalities
and learn what sets us apart from the rest.
>> CLICK HERE <<
Or
Review the Application or
>> Apply for Certification Here <<
