The following is taken from David’s interview with Michael O. Cooper in 10 Super Coaches.
Would you advise coaches to pursue certification? If so, at what stage in their practice, and through which accrediting body?
I believe the industry is evolving and coaching clients are becoming more savvy. There will come a time when clients require their coaches to be certified.
Coaches should continually strive to improve their coaching, but become certified as early as possible – certification processes will improve every coach’s quality of coaching. I view the certification process as a learning path in itself. That’s why we developed the International Association of Coaches’ certification process in three steps to provide clear, compelling feedback on which proficiencies coaches need to improve before moving on to the next steps.
I believe the IAC model, which allows any coach to apply for certification regardless of how many hours they have coached, or how many classes they have attended, is the best model to demonstrate competency, particularly because this certification is based on the 15 Coaching Proficiencies, rather than general knowledge.
The following is taken from David’s interview with Philip Cohen in 10 Super Coaches.
Would you advise coaches to pursue certification? If so, at what stage in their practice, and through which accrediting body?
I believe strongly in certification. Having a certification or being on the path to one, sends a strong message to my prospects and clients. It says I’m serious about what I bring to our relationship because I’ve gone through training and been willing to prove myself. I believe certification gives me a competitive edge over other people who call themselves coaches, but they are that in name only. I also believe certification is important to give credibility to the profession in the eyes of the public.
The certification process starts on the day a person decides to become a coach. The process starts with a mental attitude. A person who decides to purse certification is saying this is a serious process and they are committed to being the best they can be.
The following is taken from David’s interview with Anna Dargitz in 10 Super Coaches.
Are there any particular school(s) you would recommend?
I have a few biases about coaching schools. Go to any school you like. Ask yourself, “What is easy to integrate into my lifestyle, what fits with the values I want to enhance in my life? What makes my pocketbook feel respected?” Go there. And then finish your training at The Schools of Coaching (SOC).
Your training (and here comes a bias) will never be complete if you don’t finish it at the Schools of Coaching. My formal training for coaching began at the University of Maine with a BA in psychology in 1972. It took me through all kinds of other trainings including Coach U. And because SOC promises a lifetime of training, I plan to live the remainder of my days taking the latest and greatest classes as a student of SOC. You could just start there too – they have beginner and intermediate training. The choice is yours. In my opinion, if you aren’t learning throughout your life, you aren’t living all of your life.
The following is taken from David’s interview with Ginger Cockerham in 10 Super Coaches.
Are there any particular school(s) you would recommend?
I am a Master Certified Coach with IFC and a Certified Mentor Coach with Coachville. Also, I am a certified Teleclass leader at Coach University and at the Graduate School of Coaching at Coachville. I encourage clients to explore credentialing with quality organizations who train significant numbers of coaches that impact the industry. To be connected to a strong community of coaches is one of the most wonderful things about coaching.
The following is taken from David’s interview with Ginger Cockerham in 10 Super Coaches.
Would you advise coaches to pursue certification?
Absolutely, it is a great confidence builder and adds credibility with prospects, particularly companies and professionals. In a newly emerging industry like coaching, there is uncertainty in organizations about using unproven people and solutions. Credentialling is a way to reassure prospective clients. Also, media attention is most likely to come to you if you are credentialed by a major coaching training company or coaching organization.
I encourage the coaches I mentor to start the credentialing process at the beginning of their coaching business. For example, to find out what are some of the criteria for credentialing and start using the proficiencies and tracking clients immediately, so when it is time to apply for credentials, most of the required information is ready.
The following is taken from David’s interview in 10 Super Coaches.
Would you advise coaches to pursue certification?
Choose a school/training that you admire and respect. And do it to become a better coach. Or do it for the thrill of learning and the good of the profession. But don’t let the ‘piece of paper’ run you. It’s a common myth that a certification will get you more clients. In my experience, it’s simply not true. Try to get certified so you can feel confidend is not the smartest reason.
I got my formal PCC certificatin through the International Coach Federation and I found that it actually wasn’t important at all. I think I may have been asked once in the whole first three years of my coaching what qualification I had, and in that case it was by a magazine that wanted to do a story on me.
I would say to coaches starting out, don’t be panicked or worried by the fact that you may not have a formal certification. Build up your testimonials from clients and let that speak for you.
