In 2020, I made a life-changing decision to pursue ACC certification. I was determined to enhance my skills to tackle life's challenges, not just for myself but for my loved ones as well. With the guidance of my coach
Priya Sharma Shaikh
, who was assigned to me by
TISS ODCL
, I was able to chart a path towards becoming a coach. The certification process was rigorous, but I found the journey to be incredibly rewarding and enriching.
The best part was that I never had to walk it alone and I was fortunate enough to meet a tribe through
xMonks - An Ecosystem
. Throughout the journey, I received valuable insights and guidance from fellow coaches and experts and gained a deeper understanding of myself, which immensely benefited my personal growth and development. Obtaining the ACC certification has been a truly transformative experience, and I am thrilled to share some of the most remarkable highlights:
- Consistent Practice: Developing mastery in the art of coaching is a long and challenging journey. Each coaching session presents an opportunity to refine and improve my approach, adding depth and nuance to my ability to resonate with and empathize with my coachees. I found that if practice sessions are too far apart, as a new coach, you may lose your momentum. Consistent practice at regular intervals is essential for mastering the techniques.
- Understanding Behavioral Indicators: As I delved deeper into my coaching practice, I realized that just having a theoretical understanding of the
International Coaching Federation
(ICF) competencies wasn't enough. I needed to truly embody these competencies in order to become a better coach. This meant going beyond just ticking the boxes and making them an integral part of my coaching style. By doing so, I have been able to establish a stronger connection with my clients and provide them with more effective coaching sessions.
- Ethics and Service First: In the world of coaching, ICF has very clearly defined a guiding light that keeps coaches on the right path - ethics and service. These twin values are unwavering, and they serve as a constant reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with being a coach. As coaches, we have a duty to guide with integrity, and the North Star helps us to stay on track and fulfil this duty.
- Doing Good vs. Avoiding Bad: The focus shifted from avoiding pitfalls to driving positive change with courage and objectivity. The goal is to create value in every interaction. Here is a short post on the same learning I created a few days back: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/medhikas-0518_values-growthmindset-integrity-activity-7110284538597040128-HdB5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
- The Power of the Present: Through my personal experience of being the primary caregiver for my mother, I learned the importance of consciously practising being present in the moment. By cutting off all external noise, focusing solely on sharing meaningful experiences and actively listening to her, we were able to create lasting memories together. This lesson has also carried over into my coaching sessions where I have found that being fully present for the coachee helps establish trust and encourages more open and honest communication. As a coach, it also enables me to ask the right questions based on what the coachee is truly saying and feeling.
- Continuous Learning: With a #GrowthMindset fueled by curiosity, resilience, and adaptability, one can successfully navigate the dynamic and ever-shifting landscape of coaching paradigms, leading to unparalleled growth and achievement for both coach and client alike. Learning about the different dimensions of the vast and nuanced coaching world helps identify a niche. For me, it was a part of self-exploration.
- Importance of Planning: The 100-hour journey may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, but with careful planning and perspective, it can be transformed into a series of achievable milestones. Each hour and every session can be viewed as a step forward towards the ultimate goal. I found that breaking down my journey into smaller, manageable parts helped me stay focused and in control of my progress. It took determination and perseverance, and I am now on my way to completing #PCC, which is another 500-hour journey.
- Extensive Self-work: True coaching prowess goes beyond external interactions; it demands internal introspection. Recognizing my biases, understanding my patterns, and working on them ensured that I created a pristine space for my coachees, fostering genuine and transformative connections. It's an ongoing journey and I am glad I am on it.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Without the support of my fellow coaches and individuals who believed in my potential, it would have been impossible for me to embark on this journey. I am grateful to
Aparajeeta Sarmah
,
Raghavan Veera
,
Praveen Chandola
,
Deepika Bhattacharya
,
Kiran Singh
,
Deeksha Tuteja, ACC (ICF)
,
Ruchi Chilana Gera
,
Alok Yadav
,
Abhijith Balakrishnan
, Capt. Gaurav Arora
and many others enriched my journey through their camaraderie, collaboration, insights, feedback, and shared experiences. They were invaluable milestones along the way.
- Learning from the Masters: A crucial aspect of a coach's journey is the mentor that stands behind them. The mentor's feedback helps the coach push boundaries and grow beyond their limitations. Countless reviews and invaluable guidance from the mentor are absolutely pivotal for growth and success. Without
Gaurav Arora, MCC (ICF)
commitment and support, this journey would have been challenging. Very grateful to him for going above and beyond to support my credentialling and evolving journey.
- Understanding and Strengthening Personal Values: This journey wasn't just professional but deeply spiritual. A dive into understanding my being, challenging my long-standing beliefs, and wholeheartedly accepting myself with love and courage. It made me confront my key drivers, enabling the establishment of healthy boundaries thus enriching every interaction. Today, not only am I clear about my values, but I am also aware of how my decisions are guided by them.
- Building a Possibility Mindset: As a coach, it is important to assist people in finding solutions to their problems and overcoming any obstacles. To do this successfully, it is crucial to first learn how to overcome challenges yourself and view them as opportunities for growth. Through my personal journey, I have gained a new perspective that allows me to see the limitless potential in any situation. One of my mentors used to say, "Wish karo Dish Karo," and this journey has taught me the importance of this phrase. If you can envision a solution, no matter how vague it may be, working towards it with objectivity and dedication makes it a reality.
- The Value of Respect and Equanimity: One of the most important responsibilities of a coach is to create a safe environment for their clients. This involves treating everyone equally, and objectively and managing any power imbalances with respect and sensitivity. By creating a balanced and inclusive space, a coach can help their clients achieve their goals and reach their full potential. While striving for equanimity, setting biases aside is a continuous learning process. However, this ethical principle has certainly altered my perspective. (https://coachingfederation.org/ethics/code-of-ethics
)
- Gratitude Practice: The resonance of gratitude is backed by its power to elevate our brain's dopamine and serotonin levels, our natural allies in well-being. Embracing gratitude, I found, wasn't just emotional but scientifically transformative—a heartfelt thanks to the
xMonks - An Ecosystem
(CMM) team for instilling this mindset of continual gratefulness in me.
There is still so much that I want to pore out as the gifts I have received by being on this journey but for now I'll let the rest marinate further for my another version update :)
Excited as I stand at this juncture, looking at the horizon. This certification isn't the end but a beautiful time in an ongoing journey of growth, transformation, and Service.
Before I close, I am also grateful to Alan Meyne MCC (ICF)
and Pragati Gandhi
for being my first master trainers on this journey.
#ACCCertification #CoachingJourney #LifelongLearning #Gratitude #ICFCompetencies #ThoughtLeadership #Collaboration #Transformation #Growthmindset
Talent Management I Learning Initiatives I Organization Development | Human Resources I TISS
1 年Medhika Sood congratulations ????
Independent L&D Consultant | MBA HR | Entrepreneur
1 年Congratulations, Medhika! Way to go.. Best wishes for your coaching assignments! ?
HR Leader @ F5 Networks | Building Great Places to Work |Thought Leader
1 年Congratulations Meshika!!! You rock
Community of OD Professionals and OD Enthusiasts
1 年Congratulations Medhika Sood !!