The International Coach Federation (ICF), founded in 1995, is recognized as the most prominent organization committed to developing the coaching profession. With worldwide representation in over 90 countries, the ICF boasts more than 13,000 members. Other well-known organizations include the International Association of Coaching (IAC), and CoachVille, which also boasts over 25,000 members in 70 countries.
What Is Coaching?
The ICF defines it as a partnership between coaches and clients in “a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
This process can also be described as a stimulating dialogue during which the coach seeks to:
- Discover what the client wants to achieve in the short and long term.
- Challenge the client’s thinking, and push them out of their comfort zone.
- Strategize and brainstorm about possible solutions to the challenges the client is facing.
What Do Coaches Do?
Coaches specialize in a number of areas, from executive, corporate and career coaching to small business or personal/life coaching.
It is not unusual though to find a professional who specializes in more than one area, for example career and personal/life coaching. Those working with such an expert will typically deal with issues related to:
- Important career changes.
- Professional growth in the corporate world.
- The impact of career choices on family.
- The desire to work as an independent consultant or start their own business.
- Discovering what they want to do and what their gifts and strengths are.
As a catalyst for change, one of the most important roles that the coach plays is to act as an accountability partner for the client. Everyone has good intentions, and many people set annual goals to achieve personal and professional success. However, most people fail when it comes to following through on their goals. And this is exactly where the coach comes in. As an accountability partner, he or she keeps their client focused on the target, and supports them in overcoming stumbling blocks and maintaining momentum.
How to Find a Coach
There are literally thousands of resources, associations, individuals, websites, books and articles that discuss the benefits of coaching to individuals and organizations alike. In fact, with so many resources available, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information.
A good place to start is the free Referral Service offered by the ICF. This is an excellent database of ICF accredited coaches. The search can be done based on a variety of criteria, including language, location, background and experience, gender, level of ICF credential, etc.
What to Look for
In choosing a coach, the right fit is key. Many people can describe themselves as coaches, so it is extremely important to find out as much as possible about them prior to entering into a partnership. Things to look for include:
- Years and type of experience – clients they have worked with before; issues they have addressed.
- Credentials and accreditation – which organizations do they belong to? Where did they do their training? What kind of continuing education do they pursue to stay current on developmental methodologies?
- Style and approach
- Location – some provide only phone coaching.
- Guarantee
- Cost – most provide a free consultation to demonstrate their skills and approach, and to assess if the fit is there.
Athletes are never expected to achieve success without a top-notch trainer by their side, yet professionals are expected to be high achievers with minimum support. Being a self-learner and having the desire to succeed is not always sufficient. Successful people can accelerate their growth by partnering with a professional who will help them clarify their goals, and focus on achieving results, while at the same time supporting them through challenging times. As Bob Nardelli, former CEO of Home Depot, said, "people, unless coached, never reach their maximum capabilities."
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