Coaching Foundations
The Strengths of a Coach Following the International Coaching Federation Principles
Coaching is a powerful and transformative process that helps individuals and organizations achieve their goals and reach their full potential. However, not all coaches are equally qualified or effective. In order to ensure the quality and professionalism of coaching services, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) has established the gold standard of coaching credentials and standards. Rick's practice follows the ICF principles outline below.
An ICF Credential is a professional certification that indicates that a coach has met rigorous education and experience requirements, and has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the coaching competencies and ethics that set the standard in the profession. There are three levels of ICF Credentials: Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC), each requiring a different amount of coach-specific training, client coaching hours, and performance evaluation.
By hiring a coach credentialed by the ICF, clients can benefit from the following strengths:
Ethical Practice
An ICF-credentialed coach adheres to the ICF Code of Ethics and upholds the core values of integrity, excellence, collaboration, and respect. They maintain confidentiality, respect boundaries, and refer clients to other professionals when appropriate. They also engage in continuous learning and development to enhance their coaching skills and knowledge.
Coaching Mindset
An ICF-credentialed coach embodies a coaching mindset that is open, curious, flexible, and client-centered. They acknowledge that clients are responsible for their own choices and outcomes, and they support them in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. They use their awareness, intuition, and emotions to benefit their clients, and they seek help from outside sources when necessary.
Co-Creating the Relationship
An ICF-credentialed coach co-creates the relationship with the client by establishing trust, rapport, and mutual understanding. They communicate clearly and effectively, and they listen actively and attentively to the client's needs, goals, values, and beliefs. They also respect the client's identity, environment, culture, and diversity, and they adapt their coaching style and approach accordingly.
Cultivating Learning and Growth
An ICF-credentialed coach cultivates learning and growth in the client by facilitating awareness, insight, and action. They use powerful questioning, direct communication, and feedback to elicit the client's strengths, challenges, opportunities, and solutions. They also support the client in designing and implementing SMART goals, action plans, and accountability measures. They celebrate the client's progress and achievements, and they challenge the client to stretch beyond their comfort zone and explore new possibilities.
An ICF-credentialed coach possesses the strengths of ethical practice, coaching mindset, co-creating the relationship, and cultivating learning and growth. These strengths enable them to provide high-quality and effective coaching services that help clients achieve their desired results and outcomes. By choosing an ICF-credentialed coach, clients can ensure that they are working with a competent and professional coach who follows the gold standard of coaching.
Read more about ICF, CEC, and PKE.