| Coaching is both a relatively
new discipline and, at the same time, it is one of the oldest methods
of training used by man. It is one of the oldest methods of training
in that it was represented by the apprenticeship system for centuries.
Fathers would entrust their sons at an early age to successful trades
people in order to create a win-win-win situation for all involved.
The trades person won because he had a young, presumably able-bodied
worker in his shop for a number of years to do the unpleasant tasks
associated with that particular trade. The young boy won because
he received the opportunity to learn a trade, and thereby the pathway
to earn a living for the balance of his life. The father won because
he executed his fiduciary responsibility to see to his son’s
future, and, and of no lesser importance, got the boy away from
his table and reduced the cost to feed his family. Coaching is
a new discipline in that it has only been named as a separate
and distinct discipline over the last 25 years or so. It was practiced
as mentoring in businesses for many years, but not as a purchasable
commodity much as any good or service is purchasable. Coaching
suffers the growing pains, just as any discipline suffered, of
encroachment by want-to-bees. Indeed, I have observed many persons
simply deciding to call themselves a coach, and hanging out a
shingle. It doesn’t work like that. Those of us who call
ourselves coaches, and business coaches, in particular, have earned
our title. We, usually, have experienced success in another industry,
so that we bring years of business savvy and knowledge to the
table. Further, we have taken the time, money, and effort to school
ourselves in the science and art of how to coach.
The credentialing body for coaching is the
International Coaching Federation (ICF), from which I hold
a Professional Certified Coach designation. It was not given to
me. I was not “grandfathered in.” I sat for and passed
the written and oral examinations required to hold the certificate.
To continue holding this certificate, I am required to attend
continuing education in the field in order to remain current in
the ongoing advancements in coaching as a discipline.
In order to accent the skills required to coach as a professional,
I have reprinted below the coaching skills required by the ICF
in order to hold one of their designations as a PCC:
- 1. MEETING ETHICAL GUIDELINES AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
- 2. ESTABLISHING THE COACHING AGREEMENT
- 3. ESTABLISHING TRUST AND INTIMACY WITH THE CLIENT
- 4. COACHING PRESENCE
- 5. ACTIVE LISTENING
- 6. POWERFUL QUESTIONING
- 7. DIRECT COMMUNICATION
- 8. CREATING AWARENESS
- 9. DESIGNING ACTIONS
- 10. PLANNING AND GOAL SETTING
- 11. MANAGING PROGRESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
If you would like to discuss your future, your corporation, or
a combination of the two, please contact me here
for more information about individual coaching or request a complimentary
coaching session here.
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