Sofia Schliemann’s Post

🎉 Woohoo! Today marks a huge milestone in my professional learning journey! I officially became an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation! ✨ This involved a year of study, logging coaching hours, coach practice and mentoring, and sitting the final nail-biting exam today (my first one in over 18 years!). I've been coaching people for 5 years, completed various coaching courses, and felt confident in helping my clients as a coach. So, why pursue certification? This journey for me was about more than just a shiny new badge (though I am pretty chuffed with it!). Coaching is unregulated and so anyone can call themselves a coach, which means that quality and ethics can vary greatly. For me, obtaining this certification was not only about validating my core skills, but also about making a commitment to a higher standard of coaching and a code of ethics. If you want to know more, check out my sparkly new badge! Here’s to the next chapter of making a positive impact, one coaching session at a time. 🚀

My relationship with diplomas and certifications is somewhat post-communist/conservative. I don't really trust them. When I learn, I aim for knowledge and skills rather than a piece of paper. Alas, I might have been wrong! Earlier this year, I decided to get certified by the International Coaching Federation. Since I work in different countries, I wanted an international proof of quality and professionalism that would make it clear I know what I’m doing. Especially in a world full of low-quality, self-appointed coaches, I wanted to emphasize that I believe in and uphold the standards, values, and best practices promoted by the ICF. It was totally worth it. The required mentoring process helped me grow significantly (thank you, Michał Bloch, MCC ICF), preparing for the theoretical exam helped me better structure what I know, and the coaching sessions I needed to record were just a beautiful adventure. Enough talk, here’s the badge:

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

A year and a half ago I decided to pursue training in Professional Coaching with Tandem Coaching. My thought was purely to get better at the coaching stance of being an agile coach to help team and organization. The classes, practices, peer coaching, mentorship and supervision throughout this journey has changed how I approach individuals and teams. I learned that coaching is not just about powerful questions, which is a very common misconception. I have seen increased positive interaction with others not only professionally but personally as well. This is one of my proudest achievements to obtain the ICF ACC credentials. It is not simply passing a 2 day course and get certified. It really is a validation on skills, experience and knowledge.

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

Being fully present to another person without any agenda or judgement has proven to be the most challenging aspect of coaching for me. It’s sort of like meditating — harder than it looks. Perhaps that’s why the International Coaching Federation has three levels to its globally recognized credentialing program, allowing you to celebrate your milestones. I’m excited to share that I’ve earned the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential and am looking forward to all the growth and development ahead. #executivecoach #personaldevelopment iPEC Coaching

Renewing my PCC certification from the ICF isn't just about maintaining credentials—it's a commitment to continuous learning. Each renewal cycle pushes me to stay updated on the latest coaching techniques and industry standards. It's not just for me; it's to ensure I provide the best coaching to my clients. View my verified achievement from International Coaching Federation.

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

Excited to share that I’ve earned my coaching credential from the International Coaching Federation! In the coaching world, an ICF credential represents a globally recognized standard of excellence. It demonstrates a commitment to ethical practices, mastery of coaching competencies, and ongoing professional development. Coaching is about creating meaningful change, and this milestone reinforces my dedication to empowering others to navigate their journeys with clarity and purpose.

🎉 Achieving the Master Level! 🎉This year, I’ve completed two incredibly intense and demanding journeys: earning my Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential—the highest, third level of qualification in the International Coaching Federation (ICF)—and completing my certification with CNVC. Both were ambitious plans, and now they’re complete.I’m exhausted but proud. It’s been a path filled with challenges, deep reflection, and wholehearted dedication. 🌟 As I reflect, what stands out isn’t just the hours (over 2,500+ coaching hours!) but the human experiences. I’ve been privileged to accompany clients through moments of frustration and helplessness, but also joy, breakthroughs, and achievements. Coaching is not something that can be fully quantified—it’s about embracing the complexity of being human.While this chapter closes, new doors are already opening. I’m celebrating this milestone and also inviting you to connect. I currently have a supervision group running, I’m mentoring new coaches, and I’m happy to share my experience and insights with those who are interested. So, feel free to reach out—whether to share congratulations, ask questions, or explore working together. Let’s keep growing and thriving together! 🚀#Coaching #MasterCoach #MCC #CNVC #Milestones #Growth #Supervision #Mentorship #NewBeginnings 🎉 Poziom Master osiągnięty! 🎉 W tym roku zamknęłam dwa ambitne procesy: certyfikację Master Certified Coach (MCC) – najwyższy poziom ICF – oraz certyfikację CNVC. Ponad 2500 godzin coachingu, wiele emocji i refleksji. To nie tylko liczby – coaching to złożoność ludzkiego doświadczenia. Świętuję i zapraszam! Prowadzę superwizje, mam mentee’s i chętnie podzielę się doświadczeniem. Razem możemy więcej! 🚀