Jen Denman, ACC, CPC’s Post

A personal and professional update: I received my ACC Credential from ICF today! This culminates over 160 hours of training, 100 hours of practice as a coach and finally the completion of the ICF credential exam. I am especially thrilled about this for several reasons: - It's been an intense couple weeks of preparation, for an exam that's not at all my style which is more logic and/or math based. - To make sure I didn't give up during the exam, I went into coach mode on myself - as I was struggling through the questions, I asked myself why I cared about failing and I realized it was because I love being a coach, and want to be the best coach possible for my clients - and that means making incremental progress towards learning and growing - and this was one more step in that journey. - These last 2 weeks as I read through and analyzed the ICF Code of Ethics and Core Competencies and reflected on how they applied to my own practice - I've actually made some adjustments to my practice - so more than ever I wanted to know that "I got this!". Ultimately, passing the exam does not make one a better coach. But I think being a thoughtful and reflective coach is a pre-requisite to pass this exam. And I think I wanted to be that more than anything because of how trustful and impactful the coach client relationship is. I have great respect for all the ACCs, PCCs and MCCs out there, after this experience. Y'all have a lot of stamina to sit through those gruelling questions and congrats on your achievements :) Huge thanks to coaches Colleen Perry, MPA, CPC who coached me through this process and Trevor Hatfield, ACC, CPC for jumping on a call immediately and guiding me on the experience of taking this exam. One piece of advice, since I've seen a lot of articles and posts on coaching recently. If you're looking for a coach, I'd highly recommend a coach with an ICF credential or one who has trained with an ICF accredited program. Given the hours of training and practice to become one, you will have a higher likelihood of gaining a coach who has an ethical and quality practice. I'll post more on my coaching availability in the coming months. Thank you for reading!

I am thrilled to announce that I passed the International Coaching Federation (ICF) credential exam and am now officially an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC)! The exam was incredibly demanding, consisting of 81 situational judgment items. Each exam item presented a realistic coaching scenario with four response options, and I had to select the best and worst actions for each scenario. But the rigor is exactly what makes this certification so prestigious. Becoming an ICF certified coach and Co-Active Training Institute Professional Coach (CPCC) has been a transformative journey. It required deep self-reflection, over 125 hours of coaching education, 300+ hours of coaching experience, and months of studying. This journey culminated in successfully passing a rigorous performance and today’s written exam. Being an ACC signifies that I have met the highest standards in the coaching profession and have demonstrated a deep understanding of core coaching competencies. For my clients, this means they are partnering with a coach dedicated to empowering them to achieve their highest potential. Joining this prestigious community of ICF certified coaches is an honor, and I am excited to continue this journey and make a transformative impact on those I coach and the coaching community. I want to thank everyone who was part of my journey—from my clients to my teachers, to my coaches and mentors. Your support and guidance have been invaluable. For anyone approaching their exam, I am happy to connect, review my strategy for preparing, and share my developed study guides. It comes down to squashing any saboteurs and understanding what your client wants in the described scenarios. Don’t overthink the answers—just ask yourself what you would do as a coach and don’t question yourself as an expert. "Don't limit your challenges. Challenge your limits." – Anonymous #ICF #COACTIVE #GRATEFUL https://lnkd.in/emPeBrx6

📣 𝑰'𝒎 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒅 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆: 𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏 𝑰𝑪𝑭 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 🌟 I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you all as of yesterday I'm officially an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Associate Coach (ACC). This accomplishment marks not just a personal achievement for me, but a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in coaching for the benefit of everyone I work with. The journey to ACC certification was no small feat. It involved countless hours of dedication and hard work, including: 🌟 60+ hours of rigorous training 🌟 10 hours of insightful mentor coaching 🌟 100+ hours of client coaching experience, all conducted within the ICF Code of Ethics and Standards of Behavior 🌟 Submitting and passing a recorded coaching session performance evaluation 🌟 Passing a comprehensive 3-hour scenario-based coaching exam 🌟 Taking the Pledge of Ethics of the ICF Professional Achieving this certification has significantly improved my ability to support others in their personal and professional growth journeys. Being one of 27,000 ACC coaches worldwide empowers me to deliver the quality of coaching that my clients deserve. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me along this journey. To my mentor coaches Silvia Monaco, Marzia Iori, INCOACHING® S.r.l. my colleagues, my amazing clients, coaching sponsors, and last but not least, my family&friends for believing in me and support my growth! As I move forward, I am thrilled to continue partnering with individuals who are ready to unlock their potential, set ambitious goals, and navigate the path toward achievement. Personal and professional growth isn’t just about having goals; it’s about having the right partner by your side. Here’s to new beginnings and transformative journeys ahead! #ICF #Leadershipcoach #ProfessionalDevelopment #ICFCoach #AssociateCertifiedCoaching #CareerGrowth #PersonalGrowth #ExecutiveCoach https://lnkd.in/dPAMHUaV

When have your stomach last bobbled with joy and pride? 😁🥂🍾 Today I achieved an important milestone that I have been studying and training for the past couple of years, - I have achieved the first ICF (International Coach Federation) credential level, ACC (Associate Certified Coach). This is significant, and does not come without efforts, determination, and hard work! Recently I passed the oral exam, demonstrating that my coaching competencies qualify to ICF PCC level.  Today, as the final step, I was sitting the quite challenging, monitored written exam to demonstrate that I qualify to make judgments and decisions that are consistent with the ICF Core Competencies. This exam is required for all ICF level of accreditation and requires good knowledge and experience to pass. Time to celebrate 🎊🎉🍾 before considering how I can help my clients, - you, - to achieve your dreams and desires.  QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION • Which challenging goal would you like to set yourself? • What are the smaller steps that you need to take to get there? ICF coaches are well trained. Choose an ICF accredited coach as your partner. Read more about the ICF accreditation requirements here: https://lnkd.in/dyYwZMGz View my verified achievement from ICF Credentials and Standards.

I'm excited to announce that I've successfully renewed my ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential! 🎓 This renewal process has been an incredible opportunity for reflection and growth. It reaffirms my commitment to upholding the high standards set by the International Coaching Federation and to providing top-tier coaching services to my clients. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to: • My official coach/mentor, whose guidance has been invaluable in shaping me into a better coach • My inner circle of support: my loved ones, close friends, and mastermind group, who've been my pillars of strength • My clients, whose trust and dedication to their own growth continually inspire me • And importantly, myself – for persevering through challenges, finding solutions when the path forward wasn't clear, and practicing self-compassion throughout this journey What this renewal means for my network and clients: • Continued adherence to ICF's strict ethical guidelines and core competencies • Up-to-date knowledge of the latest coaching methodologies and practices • A dedication to ongoing professional development in the coaching field I'm deeply grateful for the supportive professional and personal community that surrounds me, as well as the inner strength that has carried me through. Here's to the next chapter of empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential! Have you worked with an ICF-certified coach or experienced the power of resilience and self-compassion in your professional journey? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. #ICFCertified #ProfessionalCoaching #ContinuousLearning #LeadershipDevelopment #Mentorship #Gratitude #Resilience https://lnkd.in/gw4wv7af

Coaching has always been woven into my work—meeting professionals and teams where they are through training, development, facilitation, and leveraging workplace assessment tools to bridge business operations and people. Several years ago, Craig Wiley graciously took a call from me (a random person intrigued by his work) as I explored “what’s next” and how to position myself for new career opportunities, given the interconnected threads of my work in people, education, and business. I first learned about the International Coaching Federation (ICF) during that conversation with Craig. The seed was planted, but the timing wasn’t quite right for me. As the coaching field grew, so did my curiosity—not because I wanted to be a full-time coach (it was never part of my formal job title, which we often tie our identities to), but because I wanted to understand what made coaching distinct. What are the standards? How is coaching different from advising, training, consulting, and the other roles I’ve experienced? As I began to wear the “coach” hat more frequently in my work, I realized the importance of aligning with a global coaching standard. Sure, coaches have different styles and areas of focus, but once again, I asked: What is the standard for coaching? That’s when I decided to nurture the seed Craig planted (thank you!) and became a member of ICF, which is recognized globally for setting the bar in coaching ethics, competencies, and development. Given the many uses and perceptions of “coach,” I decided to move beyond professional certifications and formally pursue my ICF credential. After months of training, mentorship, tracking client coaching hours, completing the application process, and sitting for the mental challenge of a three-hour exam, I’m proud to share—objective complete! I sincerely appreciate those I’ve crossed paths with as peers or mentors—Amy Berenson Mallow, JD, ACC, CPC, CELC—thank you for being my phone-a-friend along the way! To those who’ve engaged with me as a training facilitator, consultant, or coach—whether in the past, today, or in the future—I’m grateful for the opportunity. Here’s to what’s yet to come and which hat I’ll be wearing when we meet! #CareerJourney #LeadershipDevelopment #ICF #CoachingExcellence

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗖𝗙 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗖𝗞𝗔) 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺? Many reached out to me yesterday, keen to know what worked and what they should focus on. My strategy was two-fold: focus on myself and focus on the exam. 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛: ✅ 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 - pro bono, low bono, whatever works with you ✅ 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 as a support for refining competencies ✅ 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 of coaches on similar journeys  (contact Bhavna Nagar and Sandeep Chugh) ✅ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 to those who have already taken the exam ✅ 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: the sitting arrangements, the air conditioning, visit the washroom, and check the time it takes for you to visit it during the 10-minute break ✅ 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 provided it has no label around it ✅ 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗴 to replenish your energy during the break ✅ 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 that matches your energy levels ✅ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 for two hours at a stretch ✅ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗱𝘆 to practice your understanding 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙢: ✅ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 ✅ 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 (refer to ICF competencies and PCC markers) ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘆. Mark your best and worst answers and then re-read the question to ensure you have chosen the right ones ✅ 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿 on the top RHS of the screen ✅ 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗴 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 that you want to review later  ✅ 𝗗𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 (there is no negative marking) ✅ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 available on various sites ✅ 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼𝘀 on core competencies, ethics, etc 𝗜𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆. We all learn from one another. That is the most beautiful thing about coaches and coaching. 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹! #ICFexam #CKA #examtips

The Professional Coach What makes a coach professional and how might someone differentiate in choosing to work with one? I thought it might be useful to set a rule of thumb for anyone commissioning or hiring a coach. 👍Clear Offering: that the coach isn’t trying to be all things to all people, that they have a clearly defined audience and don’t coach ‘anybody’ 👍Qualified and Accredited: does the coach have a recognised qualification relevant to their offer? Do they have any other accreditations like psychometric or other tools? 👍Professional Membership: that they belong to a an appropriate professional body. Coaching isn’t yet regulated but it’s important to have relevant membership and they are committed to developing their practice 👍Undergo Supervision: it’s important for the coach to maintain best practice, to be self aware and to ensure they are fully resourced, so they should access to some form of supervision. Do they have that? 👍Clearly Defined Process: from the initial ‘discovery’ meeting through ‘contracting’ and the culmination of the relationship; the coach must have a clear process of working 👍Transparency of Terms: how much is it? How long for? And what happens if..? There should be a clear proposition, up front 👍Insured: need I say anything about making sure they have indemnity? Perhaps my fellow coaches and ILM alumni can chip in on the comments. What makes a professional coach? I’m John; a coach to executives in large public bodies like Universities, as well as a Business Coach to solo entrepreneurs and small business owners. I’m a qualified executive coach at Level 7 and hold numerous accreditations in diagnostics and I’m a member of European Mentoring and Coaching Council, adhering to the Global Code of Ethics. I run my own group supervision sessions as well as have access to personal supervision. I am fully indemnified. It all starts with a free no obligation ‘discovery’ session via my web site where people can see if I am a good fit. #coaching #executivecoaching #businesscoaching #ethics #supervision #ilm #bestpractice

After more than 100 hours over 2 years of training, earning one diploma, undergoing various evaluation instances, and practicing for three years, along with more than 200 hours of coaching sessions with incredible clients, countless lessons learned, and unforgettable experiences, I feel like I've achieved a significant milestone—I finally obtained my International Coaching Federation Certification! Even though this marks a major accomplishment in my coaching journey, I hope it's just one of many milestones to come. I'm deeply grateful for this practice and how it enables me to connect and interact with others, fostering new relationships based on trust. It serves as a safe space for both me and the client, where we can feel comfortable and challenged simultaneously. It's a place for presence, availability, exploration, learning, and unraveling, with no judgment or hidden agenda—just the purpose that the client determines. It's a space to be free yet supported, a moment of truth to define goals, navigate emotions, and find actionable ways to move forward, devoid of pressure but filled with a profound sense of empowerment to take the lead in our own lives. I hope this certification propels me forward, facilitating continued growth and development as I accompany both my current and new clients through their transformation journeys.

I've recently renewed my ACC - Associate Certified Coach credentials with the International Coach Federation (ICF). Why? Because I believe that in the non-regulated sector, adhering to an international code of ethics and showcasing integrity is vital. This accreditation reassures my clients about the training I undertake and the credentials I hold. My accreditation is current until August 2027, when I'll look to renew again. This three-year renewal reaffirms my dedication to upholding the ICF's high ethical standards and coaching framework. It also ensures I remain skilled and relevant in my coaching practice. The renewal process required me to document ongoing continuing education hours in relevant coaching areas. Additionally, I completed 10 hours of mentoring with senior coaches and committed to ongoing peer supervision through monthly reflective practice to develop my coaching-specific skills further. What's involved in renewing your ICF accreditation? Earning criteria: 💜 Completion of at least 60 hours of coach-specific training that meets ICF guidelines for credentialing. 💜 Completion of at least 100 hours of client-coaching experience since the start of their coach training. 💜 Completion of 10 hours of mentor coaching with an eligible mentor coach. 💜 Submission of a completed application for the Associate Certified Coach Credential. 💜 Pass both knowledge and performance assessments at the Associate Certified Coach level. It's a lot of work, but work I'm intent on — to keep committed to professional growth and excellence in coaching. If you're curious about what it looks like to work with an Associate Certified Coach, get in touch. I'd love to chat about how professional coaching can help you.