Coaching is a confidential partnership designed to advance your goals in ways authentic to who you are.
The International Coach 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.
The essence of coaching is to help a person change in the way(s) they wish and go in the direction(s) they want to go. It includes defining and clarifying what that direction may be.
Coaching is about growth. A coach works with their client to build awareness, empower choice, and make change.
Typically, a coach will work with a client for a period of time to achieve defined goals. A coaching engagement may continue for a few months or may extend as long as a few years. It includes 1:1 conversations between the coach and client and may also include the introduction of tools, readings, videos, assessments, or other resources to serve the client, as well as “homework” activities in which the client engages between sessions to advance their goals.
It is different from other, similar activities:
Mentoring is when a senior colleague, seen as more knowledgeable, gives advice and serves as a role model.
Therapy provides relief from psychological or physical symptoms and involves emotional healing and mental health. Therapy tends to focus on understanding and working with past experience.
Training is the process of getting knowledge, skills or ability by study, experience, or teaching. The trainer is by definition the expert, and the training is likely to be targeted on specific skills for immediate results.
Teaching happens when a teacher passes knowledge to the student. The teacher knows something the student does not; in coaching, the client is the expert and the coach works with the client to uncover the answers.
Adapted from: https://internationalcoachingcommunity.com/what-is-coaching/
The client:
Reflects
Gains perspective
Takes action
Practices
Looks forward
Seeks clarity
Leads the way
The coach:
Listens
Asks questions
Shares observations
Partners
The coach does not:
Give advice
Advocate
What is the International Coach Federation (ICF)?
ICF is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals. For more information, see: https://coachfederation.org/about
The ICF Core Values include:
Integrity: We uphold the highest standards both for the coaching profession and our organization.
Excellence: We set and demonstrate standards of excellence for professional coaching quality, qualification and competence.
Collaboration: We value the social connection and community building that occurs through collaborative partnership and co-created achievement.
Respect: We are inclusive and value the diversity and richness of our global stakeholders. We put people first, without compromising standards, policies and quality.
What does Associate Certified Coach (ACC) mean?
The ICF certifies coaches at the level of Associate Certified Coach when the individual has completed:
• An accredited training program with a minimum of 60 hours;
• 100+ hours of coaching with a minimum of 8 different clients;
• A Coach Knowledge Assessment.
ICF-certified coaches engage in continuing education and must meet certain requirements to be recertified every three years.