The Importance of Certified Coaching

Executive coaching is quickly becoming the standard in leadership development. One-third of Fortune 500 companies utilize executive coaching for their elite executives and new talent (@The Hay Group). Why is coaching a good investment? According to ICF Research, nearly 50% of companies who invest in coaching make at least a 10X return on that investment.

A quick look on LinkedIn will show you that coaches and mentors are everywhere. In fact, anyone can call themselves a coach, but how do you know if someone is actually qualified? The first place to start is by looking at their credentials.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is an organization of trained professional coaches. In this growing industry, it is important to know that your coach has met a level of standards to even call themselves a coach. ICF coaches have met stringent education and experience requirements and adhere to strict ethical guidelines. ICF’s mission is to protect coaching consumers.

If your coach has been trained through ICF, here is what their credentials mean:

• Associate Certified Coach (ACC) – Someone who holds this certification has completed 60 hours of coach specific education and 100 hours of client coaching experience.
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – Someone who holds this certification has completed 125 hours of coach specific education and 500 hours of client coaching experience.
• Master Certified Coach (MCC) – A master coach has held or holds a PCC Credential and has completed 200 hours of coach specific education and 2,500 hours of client coaching experience.

Coaching helps empower clients by asking questions, drawing out their expertise, and helping them find their own solutions. Rather than providing answers, a good coach will help the client trust their own expertise.

Join the growing movement in leadership development. Talk to us about coaching at www.vibrancyunlocked.com.