What do you do if you're unsure about choosing a leadership development coaching program or certification?

When selecting a coaching program, check to see if the program teaches a coaching process versus a coaching stance. A coaching process has a defined beginning, middle, and end that provide new coaches with a roadmap to follow as they learn to coach. A coaching stance is more about how coaches interact with clients by learning to ask good questions, being present and in the moment with the client, and not giving advice. Although a coaching stance is crucial to effective coaching, it is not enough and also needs a process. Also, learning good coaching behaviors is not enough to guide a client through a structured process of self-discovery, acceptance of feedback, learning, and change.

This response may not be what you are looking for, or what coaches want to hear. When I was considering going into coaching, I looked at many certifications (there are a lot). I met with (networked) with other respected coaches, and I learned that most were not certified, and that they’ve never been asked. I chose not to get certified, and I’ve been successfully coaching for 10+ years, and no one has ever asked. However, I do belong to coaching network/peer groups, and take occasional courses that are ICF approved.

I would look for a program that 1. suits my geographical needs (in person vs virtual?) 2. from a reputable organization 3. with a programme that will certify me to PCC level (i.e. where mentor coach hour are included and wont be needed upon re-credentialling).

In my experience it is helpful to know what your objective is and therefore what type of program you are most interested in. Some focus on somatic approaches, life coaching, professional coaching, etc. It is also important to know how you learn best and if you prefer an in person program, virtual or hybrid. Finally I recommend getting certified by an ICF approved school so you can be eligible for certification if you decide to go that route.

When uncertain about selecting a leadership development coaching program or certification, seek feedback from those who have undergone similar programs. Assess the program's credibility by researching its accreditation, faculty expertise, and alumni success stories. Look for reviews and testimonials from past participants. Additionally, consider consulting industry professionals or mentors for their recommendations. Ultimately, choose a program that aligns with your goals, offers comprehensive curriculum, and has a proven track record of producing effective leaders.

If you are thinking of enrolling for a coaching or coaching certification, congratulations! You are in the right direction. Like any other buying decision, list out what you want out of the coaching. Once you have done your need analysis, now look at the options you have and invest time and effort to investigate each of the options. Make a set of questions that you would like to be answered to find the most suitable coach or certification and get them answered by the right people. ASK all that you want without any hesitation so that you can evaluate the options before you decide. If COST is the criteria, think twice. The cost of NOT doing is always many times higher than the cost of the program.

When you stand at the crossroads of choosing a leadership development coaching program or certification, it's imperative to deploy a structured approach to ascertain that your selection resonates with your professional aspirations, core values, and the distinct demands of your industry and role.

When talking to a client about this recently, we also focused on what type of program would work well for him and his availability. Would a long term program that's held on weekends every month fit better into his life than something shorter and more intense? Finding a program that works for you is considering area of expertise, pedagogy but also delivery. What's going to work best for your learning style and bandwidth to ensure you get the most out of the program?

When I was conducting my research in where I wanted to obtain my education in becoming a leadership coach, I firstly looked at what ICF credentials I would obtain from the program. I also looked at the academic learnings from the school. I chose Royal Roads University as not only did it provide me all I needed to obtain my ICF-PCC designation (apart from the coaching experience hours), but it also provided me a graduate certificate from the university. Royal Roads University also widen my perspective in all different methods of coaching (not just promoting their own brand). Lastly, I was required to read academic readings which heighten my knowledge of scholarly learning. It was a win-win in what I was looking for.

When I looked into my first coaching program, I talked to friends and colleagues who were coaches about their experiences. I asked questions about program they joined, why, what they liked and didn't like. There are so many coaching programs out there, hearing about the actual experience from people I trusted was a huge help in making my final decision.

Do the research look into different leadership program offered by reputable institutions and universities or professional organizations and or campanies

Once you’ve spent a little time verifying the credibility of the program under consideration, schedule conversations with staff members and graduates of the program. I find those “real life” connections and explorations to be invaluable and great ways to discover meaningful relationships within our wonderful field.

Credibility is key! Note that a program, facilitator, or coach's 'experience' does not equal credibility. Look for data to back up the credibility through references, NPS, or testimonials.

En tant que coach, vous devez suivre une formation qui vous y prépare. Pour cela je vous conseille de vous renseigner sur votre école. Vous pouvez par exemple vérifier si le programme ou la certification est reconnu par des organismes professionnels crédibles dans le domaine du coaching ou de la gestion. Renseignez-vous bien-sûr aussi sur l'expérience et les qualifications des formateurs ou des coaches impliqués dans le programme.

After you will evaluate others criteria, do not forget to look to credibility. There are usually not a huge differencies in Leadership competencies, but the reasults of program should be completly different, depend od quality of supliers. Credibility of the suplier or program itself, should be usefull quality indicator. Unfortunnatelly, criteria for coaches profesion depend from country, so look for the international coaching agendy proof.

It is essential to check whether the coaching program you are considering has accreditation from a recognized organization in the industry. Opting for an accredited program gives you security in the validity of your training as a coach and allows you to build a solid and reliable career. Additionally, accreditation can improve your recognition among employers, clients and colleagues, increasing your credibility in the coaching field. Do not underestimate the value of this external validation, as it can be a determining factor in your professional success as a coach.

There is a direct correlation between the quality of leadership development and cost. That doesn't mean the most expensive solutions are the best, but great programs and coaches create significant value and impact for their clients, and therefore, the good ole 'supply and demand' formula is at play here with price point the equalizer. Like many things in life and in business, you get what you pay for AND what you are ready for. I've seen organizations spend millions on leadership development that had little impact due to the development not meeting the leaders where they were in their needs, and/or not tied to the needs of the business. For the right development at the right time of your career, there isn't a price too high to pay.

When evaluating a coaching program, it is crucial to consider not only the cost, but also key logistical aspects. Examine the location of the program and whether it is offered online to determine if it is feasible for you. Flexibility in scheduling and course duration are also important aspects, as they should adapt to your commitments and availability. Make sure that the program can be integrated seamlessly into your daily life and does not represent an additional burden. Also, check to see if the program offers additional resources or support outside of class sessions to maximize your learning experience.

It's not always the case that an excellent coach has the ability to teach the art and science of coaching to others. So, don't assume that if someone coaches senior leadership in Fortune 500 companies that they are going to provide excellent coach training through the coaching school they've set up. Have conversations with past students to find out what their experience was. See how the school assesses the progress of their students. Do you have the opportunity to witness your trainer(s) provide 'live' coaching? Do mentor coaches watch you coach and provide quality feedback. If so, how? If you want to be ICF or EMCC accredited, is that school accredited to provide that training? Check in with past students to see if they were.

There are a myriad of coach training opportunities in the marketplace and seeking feedback is an important way to determine your best-fit. In addition to speaking with trainers and facilitators from the credential granting organization, be sure to speak with several clients who completed the program to get a less biased view from someone not selling the program. Ask about applying the learnings to your target client audience, how the credential integrates into your professional brand and if the training teaches you how to build your business. Training and development should be stackable with opportunities for deeper development in the future. If you are seeking ICF certification be sure to understand how this credential applies.

You must find a fit. You must be able to understand your wants & needs, and quickly transmute into action. Your gut will be the fastest path for this transformation.

Choosing the right leadership development coaching program is crucial, but when in doubt, trust your instincts. Take a look at what you aim to achieve with the program. Does it align with your long-term aspirations and values? Seek recommendations: Talk to peers or mentors who have completed similar programs. Their insights can provide valuable perspective. Trusting your instincts, backed by reflection and advice from trusted sources, can help you decide about a leadership development coaching program.

Important to ask yourself why am I doing this and who do I want to help with this. Don’t just do it because you think you should. Do it keeping in mind how will you use this in new skill.

If we review our older decisions, we will find the instinctive ones were the best. The difference between carefully considered pros and cons are often thin. Too much analysis too tends to bring paralysis. The risk phobia increases as we dwell more on the same subject. The best way is to consider all aspects quickly, stack them at the back of mind, sleep over for few seconds and blurt out your decision. 90 out of 100 you may hit the bull's eye. As a leader people always admire you based on what and how you decide. And how you facilitated their performance through the suppirt of your decisios.

The easiest method to address this question is through reverse engineering the requirements of my top clients, specifically CEOs of rapidly expanding enterprises. What do they express as their desires? 1. Personalized coaching surpassing conventional curriculum and certifications, given their already established achievements. 2. Tested methodologies crafted to bolster mental resilience. 3. Advanced mental techniques aiding in the enhancement of emotional intelligence. 4. Effective frameworks for decision-making 5. proficiency tools for measuring and enhancing influence.

Clave, clave, clave qué facilitador te va a dar la formación/certificación. De él o ella dependerá la calidad de lo que te lleves, la profundidad del conocimiento, la experiencia de lo que no está en ningún libro, etc.

Consider timing and teachers. What is the best timing for you to take the course? Can you take the course so that the new skills and understanding you gain will be used shortly after? Will you have the time and energy to lean into learning when the course is offered? The teachers or teaching format is important. If the course teachers are strong educators and experts at using the material, you will get so much out of the course! No matter how powerful the material, it is always better to learn from a wise teacher.

I am a big believer in finding a way to “prototype” to get a taste or what it would be like & gather more information to inform your decision. Talk to former students & graduates. See if you can take the first course before committing to the full program, many coaching programs offer money back after the first weekend. Ask to speak to a faculty member, check out any books, podcasts or publications out our by the organization.

Para escolher um programa de coaching ou certificação em liderança, pesquise, considere objetivos, avalie reputação e custo, analise oportunidades de networking e práticas, e certifique-se da relevância no campo. Isso ajudará na tomada de uma decisão informada sobre o programa mais adequado para suas necessidades.