How can you find and work with a mentor coach during your certification process?

1 Identify your objectives

Before you start looking for a mentor coach, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and learn from the mentoring. Do you need to fulfill a specific requirement for your certification or accreditation program? Do you want to improve your confidence, communication, or ethical standards as a coach? Do you want to explore a new niche, model, or approach in coaching? Having a clear vision of your objectives will help you narrow down your search and communicate your expectations to potential mentors.

2 Research your options

There are many ways to find a mentor coach, such as asking for referrals from your peers, trainers, or professional associations, browsing online directories or platforms, or attending networking events or workshops. When you research your options, look for a mentor coach who has the credentials, experience, and expertise that match your objectives and standards. You may also want to consider factors such as availability, fees, location, and rapport. You can contact several mentor coaches and ask them about their mentoring style, methods, and outcomes, and see if you feel a connection and alignment with them.

3 Establish the agreement

Once you have chosen a mentor coach, you need to establish a clear and mutual agreement that outlines the goals, expectations, roles, responsibilities, boundaries, and feedback mechanisms of the mentoring relationship. You may also need to sign a contract or a code of ethics that specifies the duration, frequency, format, and payment of the mentoring sessions. The agreement should be flexible enough to accommodate changes and challenges, but also clear enough to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

4 Engage in the process

The mentoring process involves a combination of observation, reflection, feedback, and action. You may need to submit recordings or transcripts of your coaching sessions, or conduct live sessions with your mentor coach observing. You may also need to complete assignments, assessments, or self-evaluations to measure your progress and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You should engage in the process with openness, curiosity, and willingness to learn and grow. You should also seek and receive feedback from your mentor coach with respect, appreciation, and constructive dialogue.

5 Apply the learning

The ultimate goal of working with a mentor coach is to apply the learning to your own coaching practice and enhance your effectiveness and impact as a coach. You should integrate the feedback, insights, and skills that you gain from the mentoring into your coaching sessions with your clients. You should also monitor and evaluate your results and outcomes, and celebrate your achievements and milestones. You should also acknowledge and appreciate the contribution of your mentor coach to your development and success.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?