Hiring A Certified Coach Is Smart!

This morning while cruising through Facebook, I found a post where someone asked fellow coaches if their clients ever asked about their credentials, specifically International Coaches Federation (ICF) credentials. The person stated that she has never been asked about them and therefore does not see the need for spending time and money to get certified. The responses varied. Most coaches who worked for and within organizations were required to provide proof of their ICF certification. Coaches who worked with individuals were never asked about their certification, qualifications or experience.

I have certification through CTI & ICF so this idea of not getting certified is very concerning. There are many people who claim that they are a coach and have little to no training or certification to prove it. Affiliation with a professional organization legitimizes the field of coaching and oversees ethical conduct. ICF credentialed coaches have not only received professional training, they have achieved a designated number of experience hours and have been coached by a mentor coach. Whether you hire a coach to work with your life, relationships or business, certification is important. You wouldn’t hire a doctor without proof of training so why hire a coach without it?

Three reasons to hire an ICF Credential Coach

1.       The coach has received professional training from a program specifically designed to teach coaching skills in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies and Ethics.

2.       The coach has demonstrated a proficient understanding and use of the coaching competencies as outlined by the ICF.

3.       The coach is accountable to the ethics and standards set for by the ICF.