There’s a question I get asked (in various forms) so often that it’s time for me to write about it on my blog: what training courses do you recommend for me to develop my coaching skills?
Of course, the answer depends largely on your response to a further question: what do you want to gain from the training programme you choose? In the main, the people I field questions from are looking for a professional coach training – one that will get them on the road to becoming a professional coach or one which will help them further to develop skills they are already using professionally.
This in turn raises another question: are you planning to pursue professional accreditation and if so, with what body? The field of professional accreditation is highly diverse and often confusing – a reflection, perhaps, of coaching’s current status as a young and emerging profession. I ask this question ahead of time because some programmes are accredited by the accrediting bodies. This suggests a mark of quality and also plays a role further down the line. For example, the International Coach Federation accredits programmes (as Accredited Coach Training Programs or ACTP, for example) and offers an optional accreditation route for graduates of these programmes which is different to that offered to others. Given the highly fractured nature of coaching accreditation in the UK and the international nature of coaching I opted to pursue accreditation with the International Coach Federation.
There are many other questions to consider. For example, is it enough to go for a “generic” programme or do you want to choose one which focuses on your own coaching specialism (“executive” or “life” coaching, for example)? I have taken the view that all coaches, no matter what their specialism, have core skills in common and this is reflected in the programmes I recommend below. So, here are some thoughts about specific programmes.
Firstly, I took my own training with ITS. This was a comprehensive NLP-based training – you don’t get to graduate from the coaching programme without first achieving your certified NLP Practitioner and Master Practitioner status. It’s a mark of the value that NLP can add that many experienced coaches include training on these programmes as part of their continuing investment in their professional development. I can recommend this path highly based on my own experience.
Secondly, not least because they were early into the market, the Coaches Training Institute has trained many great coaches, including my own. Even if you don’t take their training, it is based on thinking and approaches which permeates many coach trainings.
One coaching programme which has caught my attention is run by Coaching Development. Its founders, Philip Brew and Colin Brett, set out to raise the bar in training coaches and I’ve noticed that it’s been highly recommended both by newcomers to the profession and by experienced coaches who have opted to follow the course.
One further programme is run in the US by Coaching That Works. I mention this programme because of my interest in Nonviolent Communication. Martha Lasley, who designed the programme, has based this programme on NVC principles. All the programmes I mention in this posting are ICF-accredited programmes.
Perhaps it’s worth adding that, with such a large and growing market, this posting is simply scratching the surface of a large topic and reflects my own choices and experience. This can lead some people to ask: how do I begin to choose? So my final remark is this: whatever you choose will be a step in the right direction rather than your final destination. If you’re serious about offering a high standard of coaching to your clients, you will continue to invest in your development as a professional coach and will no doubt choose to take part in further programmes along the way.
Thanks for your thoughtful article. I'd just like to add that a 2nd certifying body, which, like the ICF, was founded by the 'father of coaching', Thomas J Leonard, also offers a top rated coach certification for coaches who do not choose to study at an ICF school. Coaches should check it out, since for many, the ICF is not a good fit. They can find this organization, the International Association of Coaching (IAC), at http://www.certifiedcoach.org.
This cemment by Nicola Stevens reached me via the Coaching At Work LinkedIn group:
Wow – that is a big question. I am assuming you are thinking of training for some one wanting to be a professional coach (earn their living/business through coaching) rather than being a manager using a coaching leadership style.
When I am asked, I tell of my work experience and personal choices that made me want to become a professional coach, and then why I choose my training organization (Coaches Training Institute CTI). They gave a rigorous face to face training, professional certification process and an all day examination. There are many more training organizations today, and professional bodies (in my time only ICF). So there are many more choices, training establishments go up and down in standards, many are just vehicles for making money, or not suited for certain strands of coaching. I always say that once you know where you want to coach and who, then you can pick an organization that is recognized in that sector.
There is just one other point I would like to make. In my experience, there are people who are natural and make great coaches whatever their training and those who are not really suited to the purpose and at best can follow a series of coaching model steps. Training alone does not make you a competent coach – as Thomas Leonard once said (although this is not an exact quote) – 'once you have put your arms around your 100th coachee, then you will be a coach' – and I agree with him – training goes beyond the certification – supervision and continual professional development (CPD) is essential to be a viable, creditable professional coach.
This is a subjective view & I look forward to seeing the culmination of your research – please use any information with a credit.
Twitter – Xlead
website http://www.proactivecoaching.com
Posted by Nicola Stevens
This comment, from Len Williamson, reached me via Coaching At Work's LinkedIn group:
I like Nicola's comments. My route was to talk to a lot of different coaches about what coaching is. Prior to this I started with some ideas of what I wanted to do and these got heavily reshaped by the conversations I had subsequently. A powerful piece of advice for me from an experienced coach was don't decide what sort of coach you want to be for at least a year. Try things, see what you like, try more of it and see where it takes you. This lead me down a path of training in Gestalt and then an MSc in Cognitive and Decision Sciences and now to writing a book. The greatest help I have had is mentoring from experienced people who have a different skill set to me. I have been amazed by the generosity of people to help and priviliged to receive the support they have given. There are probably a 1000 equally good ways to become a coach and if you have the 'magic dust' necessary you will find your way and your client base will grow.
Len
Posted by Len Williamson
Also from the Coaching At Work LinkedIn Group, from Mairi Watson:
Deciding on coach training is such a personal decision! I would suggest that the search starts with a visit to the professional bodies' websites to explore those Programmes that have sought and achieved recognition (Association for Coaching) or other certification (European Mentoring and Coaching Council). Reading the codes of ethics or standards on these sites can give an insight into standards and priorities. Personally, I was swayed by my own coaches' experiences as I guessed their their style was informed by the training, development and experience they had had. Furthermore, I think it's important to speak to those running the programme in advance to make sure that they are someone/a group you can work with over the longer term. Always take a 'taster' opportunity if you can:-)
Mairi
Posted by Mairi Watson
Also from the Coaching At Work LinkedIn group:
Like Mairi I think it's important that the programme is recognised by a professional body such as Association for Coaching or European Mentoring and Coaching Council or ILM approved/accredited.This is important if based in Europe. In addition if the course is university accredited or validated it does add to its 'academic' credibility. As I'm involved in training I'll stay out of the discussion of what course and where.
Posted by Stephen Palmer
Hi Dorothy, great question. I too trained with the Coaches Training Institute (CTI). I chose it for several reasons, firstly as an ex-management consultant, I felt I had a good handle on the left brain side of change, but not the right brained side. I chose a course which was very experiential and would encourage me to be able to handle emotions. Secondly, it was recommended to me by a coach I trusted and lastly, the certification programme includes supervision based upon recordings of your own work with real paying clients.
I recommend it highly.
In choosing a course, I would always recommend individuals talk to alumni and join any supporting networks, that way you get a real taste of what the training is like.
Also via the Coaching At Work LinkedIn group:
As noted above there are many programmes out there of hugely varying quality. As a provider of coach training at postgraduate level I am constantly amazed by people claiming to have Certificates and Diplomas that will allow them to join a university awarded qualification at Masters level. Whichever programme is eventially chosen, I implore participants to find out EXACTLY what it is they paying for. This where the bodies such as EMCC can be helpful in classifying different levels of courses.
Alan Ward, Director Coach Education
http://www.performanceconsultants.co.uk
Posted by Alan WARD
Also via the Coaching At Work LinkedIn group:
Rigorous. Face to face if at all possible. Training from people who also coach. Simple and after conversations with past participants who are earning money from coaching or using coaching at work. And remember that coaching is about SKILLS as well as KNOWLEDGE so check – when you've done the training will you know more about coaching AND have done more coaching and have been observed and received feedback from good practitioners?
Claire
http://www.3dcoaching.com
Twitter 3dclaire
Posted by Claire Pedrick
One of the courses that has been chosen by several people with whom I have discussed coaching trainings is with Coaching Development Ltd. This recommendation, which reached me via the Coaching At Work LinkedIn group, speaks highly of this course:
This is what I chose so it's based on my personal wants and experience. After talking to a number of providers, I trained with Coaching Development Ltd. I was looking for a ICF recognised course that was rigorous (their course meets the training requirements for up to ICF PCC level), had theory but also a strong experiential approach, face-to-face, modular (so you get that reflective element in between modules), well priced and where the tutors 'walk the talk'. I got it all on that course. It was an incredible experience. It was rigorous without being onerous. There were formal observed assessments by accredited coaches, journalling, mandatory and recommended reading, written assignments and of course coaching and being coached throughout the programme. And it was fantastic to be trained by two coaches who 'walk the talk' of coaching in their training.
Barbara Babcock
Posted by Barbara Babcock
Also via Coaching At Work at LinkedIn:
The School of Coaching did it for me!
Posted by John Wilson
I picked up the recommendation below from Olivia Graham (enq@oliviagraham.co.uk) from her posting on the Training Journal Daily Digest and am delighted to share it with her permission:
Before training as a coach, I researched many coaching organisations and shortlisted three – all of whom were ICF (International Coach Federation) recognised, or on their way to being so. In the end, I selected Results Coaching Systems http://www.resultscoachingsystems.eu due to their structured training – and am pleased I did so.
Over the following seven years working as an executive coach I've undertaken extensive CPD with various coaching organisations – some brilliant some poor, and some offering certification.
The most profound course was the Centre for Right Relationship's (CRR) http://centerforrightrelationship.com Organisation and Relationship Systems Coaching (acronym ORSC!) which is for advanced practitioners/coaches only (PCC, MCC). It starts with a 'fundamental' weekend course, followed by four times three day modules. Once these five modules have been completed, it is then possible to sign up to the certification program which comprises of eight months of weekly calls ending in a three day residential training.
I haven't taken the certification programme due to the time commitment but colleagues who have recommend it highly. However, I learned a huge amount from the first five modules.
I have no personal interest/connection with CRR other than to work occasionally as an unpaid assistant on the modules to deepen my own learning, and attend ORSC community events.
I’m delighted to add the comments below from Valerie Fawcett (valerie.fawcett@syntagm.co.uk) with her permission. These comments were offered on the Training Journal Daily Digest:
I'd just like to say that I think the academic aspect of coaching and coaching qualifications is beginning to get a bit out of hand because of people's need to measure. Just because someone has a Master's in some aspect of coaching may not increase their ability as a coach. It may, however, increase their ability to talk about coaching.
I have spent three years belonging to a TA learning group (Transactional Analysis in organisations and education) and although it is possible to work towards the Certified Transactional Analyst qualification, I haven't felt the need, but I know that my coaching is significantly better for the TA learning.
It has helped me to understand what might be going on for people at any level, and increased my ability to ask useful questions. I'd really recommend it.
Oh! And what do you know! The current Coaching at Work Magazine includes an article on "The State of Professional Coach Training in the UK" with the promise of a second article in the next edition. That's Volume 4, Issue 6.
This is also available (now or soon) via the new Coaching at Work website at http://www.coaching-at-work.com. Look for the Train To Gain report – free to subscribers and for a small fee to non-subscribers.
Today I sent the link for this posting through to a client in corporate Britain and it moved me to add that a training such as the ones mentioned above is not just for people who aspire to a leadership role. For someone in a leadership role such a training offers the "double whammy" of developing skills you can use to foster the capability of your staff AND experiencing a quality of coaching which helps you to raise your game in your role as a leader. Priceless.