I used to feel compelled to make clients aware I had a Life Skill Coaching Certificate. Over the past 17 years of my coaching practice, I have had clients ask about my credentials and others who didn’t. When I queried on the latter situation, they would make reference to the word-of-mouth testimonials of their friend or family member who recommended my services to them as all the credentials they needed. Who could ask for better advertising or credentials than satisfied clients?

Not being a member of any association, one challenge for me was keeping myself to a standard of effectiveness, which served as my code of ethics. Without anyone to regulate me, I had to do that for myself and I held myself to a high standard. I demanded effectiveness in my coaching. Developing self-feedback mechanisms has served me well.

On the other hand, would I benefit from having an affiliation with a regulating body such as the ICF. I believe I would. (I say ‘believe’ as I cannot yet speak to an evaluation of benefits as I have yet to experience such an affiliation.)

However, one of my issues comes from another angle, which I do not see mentioned here, let alone addressed. The Institution I received my training is not an ICF recognized coach training facility, despite being a federal government initiated training program that later went private, which has been in existence many years prior to accepted Life Coach training facilities of the day.

For ICF accreditation, I would have to not only go through another credential-ing process, but pay the same rate as another person who has NOT paid for any coach training.

So Linda, I have side-stepped credential-ing issues by just being out there coaching for the past 17 years. Living my passion. I, like you passionately believe credentialing questions would be more effectively addressed less from corporate levels, and more from the front-lines.

To this end, -I love your questions.
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Decide what training creates a great coach? How long should it take? How do you measure it and give it a stamp of approval? Done.

Coaches need to be out in the world COACHING, not expending energy word wrestling about credentials…

Unless it’s a genuine, worldwide, open conversation that defies barriers and defines shared beliefs about training coaches to effectively change the world.

Who is better equipped than coaches to listen well, ask the right questions, move forward in collaboration and facilitate change?
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I couldn’t agree with you more. When can we talk?

Pixie, I´ve had this discussion with coaches who present themselves as “professionals” after 16 hours of training. The point I´m trying to make is that anyone can coach (well, almost), but being a professional coach should and could be another story. In my opinion, what makes us professionals is a thorough training, a theoretical background and practice. Mass production of coaches can be as dangerous as a monkey with a razor blade!!!
Best regards,
Diana

I don’t think this issue is that different than the perceived value of a college degree. Does the fact that a lawyer graduated from Harvard Law Scool make her a better lawyer than someone who went to any other law school? Not necessarily. The training is part of the formula. It depends on how she has applied what she learned and how well she’s able to understand the problem, communicate and articulate.

I agree with you Linda: Who is better equipped than coaches to listen well, ask the right questions, move forward in collaboration and facilitate change? I think the solution to the dilemma lies in oollaboration. Can’t we all just get along?

This is in stark contrast specifically when compared by any South Asian coach. Cost of taking a training – specifically for a “Credential-ed” Path is equivalent to one or two year of degree programs. This is just keeping doors closed for great coaches, who don’t see any value addition in getting credentialed or getting trained from such Institutes , with a hefty price-tag.

Splitting hairs among ourselves about credentialing is not half as important to me as educating the public about the value of professional coaching. Do credentials make us professionals? Do memberships? Is that the question being asked?