Coach Transformation Academy

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Tips for Choosing the Right Professional Coaching Certification Program

The large number of options in professional coaching certification may make it difficult to choose the most suitable one. With most programs sounding similar it may become challenging to make out the difference. Here are some tips that will help you to choose the most suitable program.   

·         Mindset, skillset and toolset

A coaching program that offers you training by covering the specific areas of the mindset, skillset and toolset is most important. In other words, you need to be conditioned to become a coach. You also need to be equipped with the right kind of skills to fulfill your duties as a coach. And finally, you need to be trained in the right kind of tools to discharge your responsibilities as a coach. Choose an institute that covers all these three dimensions.

·         Approved by the federation

Coaching certification can put you right in the middle of an unregulated field, and that means anyone can go ahead and establish their own certification program. It is always better to go for programs that are approved by coaching associations. These third-party associations examine and then approve or reject a certain program. The largest professional association in the world is the ICF (International Coach Federation). This coaching association provides an external validation of the programs and the coaches involved. Therefore, get into a program that is approved by the ICF, because if it isn’t, then you may not be sure of what you are getting into. 

·         Choose a training program that suits you

Different professional coaching programs have different approaches.   Choose a program that suits your requirements, this way you will be able to relate to the training better. For instance, if you need to improve only in certain areas, then you can opt for Coach Specific Training. However, if you need to enroll for comprehensive training, opt for comprehensive training. 

·         Get Foundational Coaching Before Opting for Niche Training

Build upon your foundational knowledge and expertise before you opt for training in niche areas. This will ensure that your expertise is well rounded and fully equipped to meet any requirements of participants. Reputed training centers will certainly not offer you the opportunity of enrolling for advanced/niche training if you lack the requisite foundational knowledge. Certified coaching programs have certain pre-requisites for specialization and you will have to fulfill the same before you can enroll for one. 

·         Be sure that you are aware of the credential paths

There are three different paths to credentialing. Associate, Professional and Master Certified Coach. Be sure of the path that you intend to pursue. Before you actually choose one, make sure that it will meet your requirements. Most importantly, check out the pre-requisites for the credentialing. If you are unaware of the pre-requisites, it will help if you can clarify the same from the training center before you conclude the formalities. 

·         Look for a center that helps you to sell your services  

It is important that you learn to coach well after pursuing professional coaching certification. Not only should you develop the abilities and professional expertise to handling the training programs, you also should be in a position to sell your services. In other words, you should be in a position to market your services better.  Therefore choose a training center that will help you in developing these soft skills in addition to empowering you with professional expertise. 

·         Do not assume that mentor coaches are verified

Learn all that you can about Mentor Coaches before you seek the services of any. It is important t understand that ICF will not validate the qualifications of mentor coaches and if you are led to believe that availing the services of a mentor coach is a route to credentialing, then you may find yourself in a very difficult situation. The ICF clearly states that listings of mentor coaches are only for information and not an indication of validated qualifications.   

Choosing the right center and the right program is obviously key to success as a coach. Therefore, ensure that you make the right choice. ICF is considered as the gold standard in accreditation mainly as a result of the resources on offer and the methods followed in instruction.  To fully leverage the benefits of this superior coaching standard, it is necessary to make the right choice of program and to devote adequate time to complete the program. 

It is also important to remain credentialed all the time. One of the highlights of ICF accreditation is the fact that members need to remain updated to remain credentialed. This helps in raising the bar and participants of coach training programs need to fulfill obligations which will not only help them to remain credentialed, it will also help in improving knowledge and expertise. 

 Source: https://www.coachtransformation.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-the-right-professional-coaching-certification-program/

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Advantages of Becoming an ICF Certified Coaching Practitioner

Multiple options presently available for coach training may sometimes make it difficult for individuals to make the right choice of training. There are a seemingly endless number of online courses and onsite training on offer, with the possibilities of matching requirements with a course actually high. However, it is important to first understand all about the most suitable course before enrolling for one. Here are a few tips that will help you in your search for the most suitable coach training program. 

Accreditation is important

This actually needs to be the most important aspect of your choice. If you happen to be in a role that requires you to train employees within an organization, then you may technically not require accreditation. However, accreditation has benefits that outweigh all other considerations. For instance, an accredited program is structured, and accreditation brings uniformity to a process. In other words, a coach who is accredited, can be easily measured, and this makes him or her more suitable for offering coaching. 

Top benefits of enrolling for an accredited program

While it is true that there is no real substitute for experience, an accredited program packs in the experience of thousands of hours of training into easily manageable modules. In other words, the experiences are encapsulated into training sessions in a structured manner. You will therefore gain a lot of experience from an accredited program and this will equip you to deal with all situations and personalities. If you happen to be conducting training session, you are most likely to come across different types of personalities and situations. With structured coach training, you will be more equipped to handle all situations easily. 

Credibility helps expand clientele

Accreditation lends automatic credibility. With the right kind of accreditation, you will find that your clientele list expands. If you happen to be an in-house coach, accreditation will help you to develop the right kind of coaching sessions for employees. Accreditation that is considered as gold standard or reputed, will help you to gain more credibility within the organization and participants. This will help in improving enthusiasm, even before a single session begins. It will give you the momentum to lead the session with greater interest levels. 

Gain access to top of the line resources

Coaching is a dynamic process. In other words the needs of coaching will constantly undergo change. The changes are necessary to meet the emerging demands of workspaces. By enrolling for an accredited training program, a coach will become a member of a community and thereby gain access to resources, publications, updates and news about opportunities, which will help to expand your horizon as a coach either within an organization or as a professional coach. 

What is an ICF Certified Coaching Program

The International Coach Federation is recognized as the global standard for professional coaches. The aim of the ICF is to represent the highest quality in professional coaching through high standards, independent certification and building a worldwide network of credential coaches.  There are three different types of accreditation offered by the ICF - Accredited Coaching Training Programs, Approved Coach Specific Training Hours, and Continuing Coach Education. 

How to choose the most suitable program

If you are looking for a comprehensive training program, you can consider the Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP). If you are only looking at specific aspects of coaching, then look for Approved Coaching Specific Training Hours (ACSTH). The Continuing Coach Education (CCE) is mainly to help you brush up on your skill sets and stay credentialed.   

It is essential to pick an academy that has a reputation of being the best in the industry as these are the factors that are important and determine the success of professionals. A reputed institute with the right resources and training aids and professionals would be in a better position to offer superior training. When it comes to selecting the right academy, you can easily do so by taking a look at the checklist on the ICF website. The checklist gives you suggestions on how to choose the most suitable training center. 

Before you enroll for a program ensure that you have the time that is necessary to devote for successfully completing the program. Not only should the training center offer you all the options, you should also be in a position to participate and complete the program successfully. You can pick up some of the most powerful skills that will not only help you as a coach, it will help to become a more powerful communicator, by understanding and profiling the participants better. The access to different tools and resources will certainly help you to develop your skills and remain updated with the latest developments. The right kind of program can give you the desired outcomes and fulfill your responsibilities.

 Source: https://www.coachtransformation.com/blog/advantages-of-becoming-an-icf-certified-coaching-practitioner/

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How Coaching Leverages Competencies of Participants

At its very heart, coaching is all about using the competencies of individuals in a manner that is structured, measured and methodical. The relationship between a coach and a participant in a coaching session is defined as one where the participant gets to understand more of self, plan out a roadmap and work towards achieving goals. Coaches partner participants in the journey to self-development through a process that involves the use of core competencies. Considered as the most popular and reputed standard for coaching, ICF credentials are sought after by professionals; here is a look at the eleven core competencies necessary for ICF credentials.

Core competencies and categories

The eleven competencies fall into four broad categories as given below:

·         Foundation – (1) Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards (2) Establishing the Coaching Agreement

·         Establishingtrust– (3) Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client (4) Coaching Presence

·         Communicating – (5) Active Listening (6) Powerful Questioning (7) Direct Communication

·         Facilitating results – (8) Creating Awareness (9) Designing Actions (10) Planning and Goal Setting (11) Managing Progress and Accountability

The four categories are carefully designed to offer value to participants.

The first category - the foundation, involves the setting of standards and establishing ethics which will be used across different situations. This also involves the need for understanding a set of behavior as listed out clearly in the ICF Code, which encourages and calls all credentialed coaches to implement.  The boundaries are defined clearly, defining certain areas of practice that are often mixed up and used by professionals. For instance, there is a clear difference between coaching and consultation and psychotherapy. Many professions exist which are used in a supportive capacity to help individuals. However, each profession is different from the other and has its own role to play.  

The second category–of establishing trust is all about creating an atmosphere of trust and bonding between the coach and the participant. This is the competency necessary for a coach to be able to understand the participant’s situation and desire to achieve a certain goal in the future. This competency helps a coach to show the levels of sincerity in the interaction and the desire to help the participant achieve the goals. This also spells out the assurances and goals that are listed out, in addition to the recognition of the dreams of the client and the learning. The presence of the coach is to create and establish a relationship that is transparent and flexible, which will permit the participant to be confident in the knowledge that the program helps to gain insights into themselves, and trust their instincts.

The third category – of communicating effectively is a competency that is necessary for the coach to be able to understand clearly what is being expressed by the participants. Here it is necessary for coaches to be able to take the agenda forward on the basis of the client’s needs and not in the pre-planned idea of the coach. The coach needs to be in a position to understand the beliefs and values of the participants, and spell out the possibilities and the challenges. The coach should identify changes in voice, tone and tenor to understand the different expressions that convey a larger meaning in addition to the spoken word. This will determine if the coach possesses the abilities and qualities to understand the participant’s needs, expressions, perceptions and offer encouragement and suggestions, after accepting the same. The coach needs to partner the participant’s journey by building upon the suggestions and concepts of the participant. The coach should also possess the competency to be able to skillfully dig out information from the participant by asking searching questions in an effort to offer maximum benefit to the relation.

The fourth category – of facilitating results through learning is all about the competency of the coach to be able assess the quality of various sources of information and to interpret the same so as to assist the client to become more aware of the situation and the progress. This will help the participant to make significant progress towards achieving the outcomes that were spelt out.  This involves the art of looking beyond the expressed responses of the participant and separating the description of the client from the situation to be able to offer better value. The coach needs to be able to help the client identify certain issues such as apprehensions, perceptions and sort out the differences between thoughts and actions. The coach needs to possess the knack of helping the clients explore various options and acquire a strong resolve to initiate suitable action for achieving desired results.  

The four categories that cover the eleven core competencies are designed to ensure that the coach is equipped to conduct sessions and help participants achieve their ambitions and goals by self-realization and improvement.

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Source: https://www.coachtransformation.com/blog/how-coaching-leverages-competencies-of-participants/

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The Importance of Assessment Markers in Determining ICF Core Competencies

Acknowledged globally as the gold standard in coaching, ICF has its own set of assessment methods to determine if ICF Core Competencies are witnessed during recorded coaching sessions. Known as PCC Markers, this assessment helps in identifying the extent to which the competencies are seen. Professionals are assessed on the basis of these markers when seeking credentials as PCC (Professional Certified Coach). This is a performance evaluation tool that is used to assess/evaluate. Here is a brief overview of the different assessment shown through competencies that are typically searched for by applicants in PCC Markers PDF format.

Coaching agreement – Also known as Competency 2, Coaching agreement helps in identifying the participant’s objective in the session. This also helps the coach to assist the participant in working out various levels of success that can be used to assess the results of the session. Coaches also use this to understand the priority of the participants and the need for making changes.

Bonding and contribution – Covered under two competencies, namely 3 and 4, this covers aspects such as the acknowledgement of the client by the coach, the support structure that will be offered during the coaching, and the encouragement shown towards the participant to be vocal and expressive.  It is also here that the presence of the coach becomes more important as the contribution is key to success of the coaching. The coach begins to respond to the requirements of the participant, while supporting the participant’s desire to be a part of the learning curve. The bonding and contribution improves at this stage and is an important stage where the participant is invited to respond to the contributions of the coach and is also a foundation that permits the participant to work on an individual learning curve.

Listening to the participant – At Competency 5 the gentle probing by the coach helps in the forming of a picture about the participant and the language ability. Here the participant’s emotions are understood better, through various markers such as the tone of the participant, the speed of discussions and the various changes that are seen.  The coach also probes about the emotions of the participant, and his/her perceptions, in addition to permitting the participant to pause and reflect.

Ascertaining information through questions – Also known as competency 6, this is the stage where the coach begins to go into the values of the participant and the various qualities that determine the thinking process and the requirements of the participant. The participant is gently encouraged into considering other options of thinking and values in an effort to look beyond the fixed ideas about self and the present situations or circumstances that the participant finds oneself in. This is also used as a stage to encourage the participant to move out of the fixed level of thoughts to work towards achieving the desired outcome. This is achieved by throwing questions that are open ended and direct, at a gentle pace that permits a measured thinking. Questions are typically asked one at a time, and are paced with the observed speed of the client, the language and the response. None of the questions are designed to offer suggestions in the question. In other words, the questions will never involve framing in such a manner so as to suggest a particular or recommended direction and outcome.

Communicating directly – In competency 7; the coach shares inputs that are designed to help the participant move towards his or her objective. This involves sharing of comments and observations without any suggestions that they are the right. They are shared as observations which can be taken as desired by the client, and is usually communicated in a manner that is aligned with the comfort levels of the participant in terms of language and manner of speaking. This is typically shared in a language that is clear, with the participant getting to express himself or herself without any interruptions.

Creating awareness – Competency 8 deals with the expressions of the participants regarding the session and the learning experience. The participant gets to share more details about the learning achieved in the session and more about the self. The participant is also encouraged by the coach to share his/her intent about applying the learning experience.

Actions, planning, setting goals and managing progress – The three competencies, viz., 9, 10 and 11 are more about the handling of the goals and managing them. The participant is asked to assess the progress during the session, and is also encouraged to share intentions of using the session learning curve to work towards achieving desired results. The participant gets assistance from the coach in devising a system of self-evaluation and accountability following which the session comes to a close where the progress of the participant is recorded.

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Source: https://www.coachtransformation.com/blog/the-importance-of-assessment-markers-in-determining-icf-core-competencies/

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The Need for Considering the New Policy Changes in Applications for ICF Credentials

The acknowledged gold standard for life coaching, ICF has brought in a few changes in the requirements for applying for credentials. It is necessary that applicants be aware of the changed requirements so as to fully meet the mandatory criteria. The changes have come into effect from Jul 31 2018 and it is highly likely that professionals may have missed on the updates or may not have been informed by the training centre regarding the same. So here is a brief outline of the changes that have been introduced. There are other changes also that have been communicated by the ICF to the stakeholders, but some changes are scheduled to come into effect in 2019.

The need for submitting proof as per new ICF ACC requirements

Under the new ICF ACC requirements applicant Associate Certified Coaches need to submit proof in the form of a recording and transcript of a coaching session. One live session of coaching needs to be recorded and the transcripts along with the recording need to be submitted as part of the performance evaluation. This has been ordered to bring about greater consistency in the standards for professional coaches opting for the ACSTH route to ICF credentials.

The need for completing one cycle of credentialing

Another requirement is the need for Associate Certified Coaches to have completed one complete cycle of credentials through the renewal route, after which they can become a Mentor Coach. The role of Mentor Coaches are important in training of coaches. The improvement in standardization of Mentor Coaches makes it possible for coaches to receive a higher level of training, which in turn will assist the other coaches undergoing training at the hands of Mentor Coaches.

Key change that has been incorporated

One of the important changes that has been incorporated is of the credential renewal applications. ACC renewal that required 10 hours of compulsory coaching hours can now be used as a part of the 40 hours of Continued Coaching Education necessary for obtaining ACC renewal. In other words, applicants for ACC credential renewal need to have 10 hours of mentor coaching and 30 hours of CCE. Out of the 30 hours of CCE, 11 hours need to be Core Competencies and three hours each in coaching ethics.

Proof of completion of comprehensive training

Applicant Professional Certified Coaches or Associate Certified Coaches on the path to initial credentialing who choose the Portfolio route for acquiring credentials need to prove that they have completed a comprehensive training program. This includes the coaching as defined by the ICF, the Code of Ethics, and the Core Competencies. This has been developed in a manner so to encourage and assist the coach to develop in a manner that will transform the coach. In other words, this new requirement replaces the old system where aspiring coaches got to submit non-approved training hour details. This is intended to improve the standards of coaching and professional excellence.

Soliciting feedback from Master Coaches

Other relevant changes, apart from the changes that will be effective from next year include feedback sought from Master Coaches. The idea behind ICF seeking feedback from Master Coaches in the assessment procedures is for the purpose of putting together recommendations in order to improve the scope, development and overall professional ability of the coach. While the feedback is certainly not a mandatory requirement as far as the aspirants and coaching centres are concerned, it is nevertheless important. This is mainly because of the fact that ICF credentials require to be renewed after a period. And therefore coaches will find it beneficial to have systems and procedures in place that are more convenient and simplified, without compromising on the standards that have been achieved and maintained by ICF.

Annual announcements of policy changes

The ICF has also communicated to stakeholders of its intent to bring in changes annually. This effectively means that procedures and processes will witness improvements as required. This dynamic quality will be of great use as individuals will now find the credentialing system and the procedures to be more in tune with the latest developments in the field of technology. We are in a technology driven world and the use of technology has become a powerful tool everywhere. For instance the need for submitting a recording of a live session is in itself a powerful tool that helps to improve the standards. This was not available earlier and makes it possible for candidates to prove that they have met the standards as required. Similarly, as new technologies overtake the ecosystem, the ICF credentialing system will witness changes. The changes are planned to be brought into effect on the February of every year.

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Source: https://www.coachtransformation.com/blog/the-need-for-considering-the-new-policy-updates-in-applications-for-icf-credentials/

[coachcertified-blog]

The Surge in Demand for Certified and Credentialed Life Coaches

Globally there is a shift seen within organizations and individuals. We are officially in the digital era and with organizations and businesses moving towards complete business transformation, it is becoming increasingly clear that individuals need to have a set of skills that are evolved in nature. The new order, also known as the techno-social order, is all about equipping individuals with a set of skills and abilities that will help in meeting the evolved demands in the eco system. For instance, machines are likely to take up a significant volume of work that is presently being handled by humans. Individuals need to learn how to co-exist and thrive in such an environment.

Professionals who are facing problems may sometimes be of the opinion that they do not possess the ability to come out of problems. However, the fact is that professionals do possess the ability to come out of issues. All that it takes is self-awareness of one’s ability and the technique of leveraging one’s own skills and align it with the goals of life. The challenges that are typically faced in achieving this is the inability to self-explore and look inwards. This requires the assistance of a life coach. A life coach is one who possesses transformational coaching certification, the experience and the ability to be able to help participants of coaching sessions understand their own limitations and abilities and work towards achieving their own goals.

The power of NLP

Among the different techniques and tools used by coaches is NLP. The key to success in handling situations and challenges in life is the need to handle emotions. Emotional decisions are always the reason for poor choices. However, it may sometimes be hard for individuals to be able to exercise greater control over their emotions in certain situations. This could be due to the situation itself. Individuals who are able to exercise greater control over their emotions are the ones who will find greater success in life as they will be better equipped to handle challenges. This requires NLP. This is a technique which helps to train an individual into understanding that others are not to be identified only by the behavior. It needs to be understood that behavior is not the only method of identifying an individual. There are various other aspects. If an individual can be accepted for what he or she is, then it is possible to be able to accept the person easily. This is the heart of the solution. A life coach who takes participants through sessions will use NLP to help participants achieve greater success in life. Similarly, a participant in a program who is granted training in NLP will be in a better position to handle situations better.

Accredited training programs

While there are many credentials available, ICF is regarded as gold standard as it offers life coaches with the required experience to be able to offer coaching to participants that are transformative in nature. This is primarily because of the highest standards that are achieved through a process of accreditation of training programs and centres. Additionally participants desirous of acquiring credentials need to fulfill the criteria laid down in the program. The combination of the number of hours of experience, the accredited programs, the evaluation and the renewal system ensures that the trained coach will offer real value to participants.

Structured methodologies and models to assist in training

This is one of the reasons why ICF is preferred among organizations and individuals when looking for a coach with credentials. Many methodologies exist for training coaches and participants in a training program. One is the GROW model. Acronym for Goals, Reality, Options and Way Forward, this is a program that helps the participants to become fully aware of their abilities, their goals and the limitations or obstacles that they face in their lives. The approach is all about helping the participant understand these aspects and work towards achieving this goal in life. Aspirants who are desirous of obtaining ICF credentials need to be skilled in these methodologies and the training module itself comprises core competencies that will help the aspiring coach to acquire these skills.

If you are desirous of obtaining certification in your pursuit of becoming a life coach, it is necessary that you equip yourself with the necessary skills in addition to credentials. Credentials are always a part of the profession and should never be regarded as the end itself. Credentials without the required skill sets are of little or no use. This is exactly why it is absolutely necessary to opt for a training program that will equip you with the desired skill sets in addition to giving you the credentials.

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Source: https://www.coachtransformation.com/blog/the-surge-in-demand-for-certified-and-credentialed-life-coaches/

[coachcertified-blog]

Primary Differences between Two Paths to ICF Credentials

There are differences between coach specific training and training that is not accepted as coach specific training. A large number of aspirants who are not aware of ICF certification requirements sometimes get confused between coach specific trading and training that is not regarded as coach specific. Any training that has been received from an accredited coach training program also known as ACTP, or any ICF ACSTH Program or training that has been received from a Continuing Coach Education training provider is regarded as coach specific training.  However it is necessary that the continuing coach education covers the required number of hours necessary for core competencies.

When it comes to acceptance of the hours of training, 12 hours of training outside the Core Competencies will also be considered for the purpose of calculation.   When it comes to training that is not regarded as coach specific, there are three categories. If training is claimed to be teaching skills, or offered as a method to acquire other special skills, the same will not be considered. Even if the skills can assist a coach, they will not be considered as coach specific training.  Personal development courses will also not be considered as coach specific training. Other training programs that cover subjects including psychology, NLP and counseling will also not be regarded as coach training. The only exception would be if the courses were conducted to be as per ICF Core Competencies and assisting in getting skills that can be used as a coach.

Aspirants need to be aware that if coaching classes have been conducted, it does not automatically qualify as coach specific training. It can however qualify as coach specific training if it meets specific requirements. For instance, if the applicant has himself/herself put together the class, or if the applicant conducted the training for the classes, or if the aspects of the training fulfilled aspects of training that can be regarded as coach specific.

The ACSTH vs ACTPargument - primary differences between both the paths

Similarly, many aspirants are not aware of the differences between ACSTH and ACTP, the two paths for ICF coaching certification.  They are primarily paths to attain credentials. There are inherent differences between the two and it would be a good idea for participants to be aware of the differences, as it will help to prepare accordingly.  Here is a brief outline of each program, which.

·         ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Program) – This is a module which covers coach training in a comprehensive manner and revolves around ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics, and various other aspects of coaching as defined by the ICF. This includes sessions that help observe coaching, mentor coaching, and also includes an exam that will assess the competency of a student. Aspirants who have acquired ACTP are eligible to apply for ICF credentials individually through the ACTP Path.

·         ACSTH (Approved Coach Specific Training Hours) – These programs are conducted on an hourly basis and it depends on the number of hours of contact. Applicants who have completed the required training hours as desired by the ICF, through this path may individually apply for ICF credentials through this path.

Equipping coaches with the diverse set of specialist skills required

Coaches need to possess skills that are of a high standard. This is necessary as the coaches will offer assistance to participants in programs that are transformative in nature. To be able to guide and lead participants, the coach needs to have superior NLP skills and needs to be aware of the different methodologies and resources that are necessary to guide participants to success. A coach is expected to understand the abilities of a student and help the participant identify his or her own abilities to be able to use it and work towards development. Self-exploration of abilities is a very advanced field of expertise and a coach needs to be aware of the different methods used to guide the participant towards self-awareness. This needs to be accomplished by guiding and not leading. One of the techniques that are used is gentle probing. This is typically performed by asking a set of questions that are not leading in nature. In other words the questions will be open ended in nature and the respondent (in this case the participant) will reply to the questions in a manner that will make use of the participant’s ability.

The ability of a coach to help participants depends on the amount of training and experience of the coach. It is therefore necessary that an aspiring coach acquire certification that will also help in the development of skills that are necessary for imparting the training. And nothing can do this better than ICF certification.  

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Source: https://www.coachtransformation.com/blog/primary-differences-between-two-paths-to-icf-credentials/

[coachcertified-blog]

The Need for Remembering the New Policy Changes in Applications for ICF Credentials

The acknowledged gold standard for life coaching, ICF has brought in a few changes in the requirements for applying for credentials. It is necessary that applicants be aware of the changed requirements so as to fully meet the required criteria. The changes have come into effect from Jul 31 2018 and it is highly likely that professionals may have missed on the updates or may not have been informed by the training centre regarding the same. So here is a brief outline of the changes that have been introduced. There are other changes also that have been communicated by the ICF to the various individuals and institutes, but some changes are scheduled to come into effect in 2019.

The need for submitting proof as per new ICF ACC requirements

Under the new ICF ACC requirements individuals who plan to become Associate Certified Coaches need to submit proof in the form of a recording and transcript of a caching session. One live session of coaching needs to be recorded and the transcripts along with the recording need to be submitted as part of the performance evaluation. This has been brought about to bring about greater consistency in the standards for professional coaches opting for the ACSTH route to ICF credentials.

The need for completing one cycle of credentialing

Another requirement is the need for Associate Certified Coaches to have completed one complete cycle of credentials through the renewal route, after which they can be called as a Mentor Coach. The role of Mentor Coaches are important in training of coaches. The improvement in standardization of Mentor Coaches makes it possible for coaches to receive a higher level of training, which in turn will assist the other coaches undergoing training from Mentor Coaches.

Key change that has been incorporated

One of the important changes that has been incorporated is of the credential renewal applications. ACC renewal that required 10 hours of compulsory coaching hours can now be used as a part of the 40 hours of Continued Coaching Education necessary for obtaining ACC renewal. In other words, individuals trying for ACC credential renewal need to have 10 hours of mentor coaching and 30 hours of CCE. Out of the 30 hours of CCE, 11 hours need to be Core Competencies and three hours each in coaching ethics.

Proof of completion of comprehensive training

Individuals trying to become Professional Certified Coaches or Associate Certified Coaches who are working towards initial credentialing and who choose the Portfolio route for getting credentials need to prove that they have completed a comprehensive training program. This includes the coaching as defined by the ICF, the Code of Ethics, and the Core Competencies. This has been developed in a manner so as to encourage and assist the coach to develop in a manner that will transform the coach. In other words, this new requirement replaces the old system where aspiring coaches got to submit non-approved training hour details. This is intended to improve the standards of coaching and professional excellence.

Soliciting feedback from Master Coaches

Other changes, apart from the changes that will be effective from next year include feedback sought from Master Coaches. The idea behind ICF seeking feedback from Master Coaches in the assessment procedures is for the purpose of putting together recommendations in order to improve the scope, development and overall professional ability of the coach. While the feedback is certainly not a compulsory requirement as far as the aspirants and coaching centres are concerned, it is still important. This is mainly because of the fact that ICF credentials require to be renewed after a period. And therefore coaches will find it beneficial to have systems and procedures in place that are more convenient and simplified, without compromising on the standards that have been achieved and maintained by ICF.

Annual announcements of policy changes

The ICF has also communicated to stakeholders of its intent to bring in changes annually. This effectively means that procedures and processes will see improvements as required. This dynamic quality will be of great use as individuals will now find the credentialing system and the procedures to be more in tune with the latest developments in the field of technology. We are in a technology driven world and the use of technology has become a powerful tool everywhere. For instance the need for submitting a recording of a live session is in itself a powerful tool that helps to improve the standards. This was not available earlier and makes it possible for candidates to prove that they have met the standards as required. Similarly, as new technologies overtake the ecosystem, the ICF credentialing system will see changes. The changes are planned to be brought into effect on the February of every year.

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Source: https://www.coachtransformation.com/blog/the-need-for-factoring-in-the-new-policy-changes-in-applications-for-icf-credentials/