Comments on: How to Choose a Coach Training School

By: Santosh

Santosh — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:07:25 +0000

I am picking up skills in the area of Organizational behavior and wish to enter in Coaching. While checking different options, I am surprised with the pricing as well as the variety and myriad of options.

I wonder – is there a common list of schools, with philosophy, style
(online/offline etc), pricing and credentials ? If such list is not available on coaching commons, is it available somewhere else ?

So we can compare ourselves and make a decision ?

Lack of standard syllabus, goals in the course and curriculum is one more area where it becomes difficult to compare offerings.

Any help in this area will be extremly useful for all newcomers interested in coaching.

By: Anita Stadler

Anita Stadler — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:35:20 +0000

I can offer a view from a couple of perspectives that may be helpful. I manage executive coaching for a Fortune 100 company and I am trained as a coach myself (CTI).

When hiring external executive coaches, I steer clear of those whose training appeared to focus only on how to “do” coaching (step 1,2,3 with only one model) as opposed to focusing on how to “be” as a coach.

In addition to coaching ability, I look for life experience that demonstrates they have triumphed over adversity, learned important lessons, led large endeavors, or made an impact that matters. The wisdom they bring provides personal grounding that cannot be purchased from a training provider.

By: Carol Schwartz

Carol Schwartz — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:36:32 +0000

Hi Jeanne,

I was googling ‘coaching niche’ for a group coaching Mastermind call and I came across your question.

I am an iPEC grad from NY now living in TX. I graduated 2 years ago and then went on for the graduate work (which is now included in the tuition) I absolutely love the iPEC philosophy and was extremely happy with the training quality and price.

iPEC is an ICF certified school. I would have payed 20 thousand or more for the training I received. iPEC is also like a family to me. You can reach out to me if you have any other questions.

Carol Schwartz, CEC
Certified Empowerment Coach
Area of Specialty: Law of Attraction Coaching
(281)395-0557

By: Vikki G. Brock

Vikki G. Brock — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:15:20 +0000

Hi Jeannie,

I agree with Dale that there is no one right answer as to which school is best. I know of one coach training school owner who, when asked that question, would talk with a prospective student using many of the questions Dale suggested to determine what the best school for that student was.

As with hiring a coach, do your research, interview several and trust your intuition. I know whatever your choose, it will be right for you at this moment.

Vikki Brock

By: Ruth Ann Harnisch

Ruth Ann Harnisch — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:12:31 +0000

Good question…..and, I really appreciate the opportunity to make it clear what happens when you ask for the opinion of the Coaching Commons.

Because there’s no official “Coaching Commons Opinion,” what you are asking for is the opinion of every and any visitor to the Coaching Commons website who has something to contribute to your evaluation of your options.

The Coaching Commons is an independent “big tent” where we respect people’s participation regardless of their school, certification, or philosophy of coaching.

I think each prospective student must know why certification is worth achieving, because it takes a great deal of effort to become certified, and certain certifications aren’t cheap (ICF being one).

What’s important? Why? What’s it worth TO YOU in time and dollars? What options exist for meeting your needs?

These are the questions you and other prospective students can ask, and only you have the best answers considering your personal resources and circumstances.

What do others have to say?

By: Jeannie McClarty

Jeannie McClarty — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:56:38 +0000

I’m a new coach, shopping for a coaching program/school and wanted to know if you have any insight into iPEC and the price for programs. It is ICF credentialed, sounds comprehensive and is local for me in Chicago, so convenient for me.

I’ve talked to several graduates and tried to ask as many questions as possible. There are SO many out there, and I wanted to get Coaching Common’s respected opinion on it just in case. The price is $7995 for 380 hour course over several months (both live sessions and self study).

I plan to be trained as a life coach and specialize in wellness coaching. Thanks so much for any comments you can give. I regularly try to attend the Coaching Commons calls, and while I don’t say much, I enjoy it very much and everyone is very inspirational to me.

Jeannie

By: Dale Williams

Dale Williams — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:02:43 +0000

Thanks Ruth Ann.

I omitted in the article that what inspired me to write it originally was the number of queries I get about schools. This is also my “goto” article for future queries.

All the best, Dale.

By: Ruth Ann Harnisch

Ruth Ann Harnisch — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:52:53 +0000

What a wonderful (evergreen) response to questions about certification!
Thank you, Dale! I can direct all future inquiries to this post. You covered a lot of territory here.

By: Suzanne Carter

Suzanne Carter — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:18:52 +0000

I resonate most strongly with:
“Your own inner process is more important than what schools offer you.”

After sniffing around the bushes for a while, I got a bolt to the heart …

Someone told me “a coach” described what I was … This someone was a source I respected (Robert Middleton – the Action Plan Marketing guy) and after a “say what?,” a “nuh uh,” and a day’s worth of smarting (bolts to the heart can be painful!) … I finally came to believe it.

Shortly thereafter, and I mean within a few days, I landed smack into a program that fit me, my needs, my schedule, my budget, … and my experience on many levels (mentorcoach).

So – yes, trust your inner process … and sometimes you’re gifted with some external guideposts along the way.