The following is taken from David’s interview with Leza Danly in 10 Super Coaches.

Would you advise coaches to purse certification? If so, at what stage in their practice, and through which accrediting body?

Absolutely. Coaching certification is absolutely necessary. There are many people who are innately gifted coaches, and that’s great. Even so, coach certification offers a maturing of your skill and an opportunity to discover more of the artistry of coaching. I encourage certification through a coaching school and then to also purse credentialing through the ICF.

As for the pace, it’s a personal decision. I think there’s a lot to be said for riding the momentum of moving through the training process and into certification in a short period of time to keep a hard focus on skill and to solidify the self-image as a coach. You need to coach a lot to see yourself as a coach. Seeing yourself as a coach, having that self-image, has everything to do with your ability to create clients. If you drag it out over a long time it can sometimes feel more like a hobby than a profession.