Challenging the Norms of Coaching Accreditation: A Call for Inclusivity

This article responds to a post on LinkedIn by Alex Campbell, PCC, MBACP. that resonated deeply with my experiences.

As a Master Accredited Executive Coach, recognised by the Association of Professional Executive Coaches and Supervisors, and an accredited Senior Practitioner Coach and Coach Supervisor with EMCC Global, my career spans five diverse industry sectors.

?I am an accomplished, award-winning international HR Director renowned for my expertise driving transformational organisational change, with senior roles in innovative startups and global FTSE 100 companies.

Despite my extensive experience and credentials, I find myself excluded from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) due to their assessment and accreditation process.

As someone who has dyslexia, ADHD and autism, when I started to look at becoming an accredited coach, there were no accommodations available, nor was there any opening for things to change. ICF was not accessible to people like me.

The experience of preparing for the ICF exam often mirrors a shared struggle among many coaches. Despite giving feedback, many feel unheard by the ICF.

Coach 1 found the booking process so challenging that they had to ask for help, feeling a simple two-hour extension lacked flexibility or understanding of individual requirements.

Coach 2 shared stories of neurodiverse individuals doubting an exam's fairness in a human-focused profession, including one being told to put down a fidget toy.

Coach 3 highlighted the struggle to find accommodation details, suggesting a disconnect from real needs.

Although Coach 4 sees recent changes as progress, they argue it's not enough for true neuro-inclusivity, noting systemic barriers keep talented neurodivergent coaches from getting credentials.

These personal narratives highlight the widespread challenges encountered within the coaching community and advocate for a more compassionate, accessible, and inclusive approach.

I've witnessed transformative changes when inclusivity takes centre stage through my involvement with other accrediting bodies, such as APECS Association for Professional Executive Coaching and Supervision. I challenged the accessibility of the APECS accreditation process, leading to fundamental changes to the process.

Moreover, my collaborations during my accreditation with @Coaching Supervision Academy Ltd?and EMCC Global were transformative for me and the organisation as we partnered and explored solutions to ensure I could demonstrate the required criteria and empower more inclusive practices.

Be Part of the Change

?Our collective narratives emphasise the urgent need for transformation within coaching accreditation.

The future we build should reflect our community's diverse talents and perspectives. I invite you to share your stories and collaborate on innovative solutions, just as I've done through various leadership groups and reflective practice initiatives within professional accrediting bodies. Together, we have the power to bring about the change we seek.

To invigorate our shared mission, I would like you to actively engage and become part of this narrative. Signpost your experiences, create content around these issues, and galvanise a movement towards a truly inclusive coaching future.

#DiverseCoaches #InclusivityMatters #BreakTheBias #EqualOpportunities