Coaching, Credentials, Competencies, and Confusion

You didn't have to go too far in the coaching world during these past weeks to run into the ruckus around the International Coach Federation's proposed move to a single professional credential, intended to comply with ISO standards.

Whether a long-time coach who has already earned ICF credentials, a member of the ICF assessor team, or a newer coach getting started on a professional path, everyone has questions, opinions, concerns.  Much of the more thoughtful dialog is posted at Coaching Commons.

For me it's a reminder of the importance of the second and foundational ICF coaching competency: Establishing the Coaching Agreement ... the ability to first explore fully what is wanted, establishing measures of success, and ensuring both coach and client are clear about the purpose ... fully understanding WHAT before running off to figure out HOW.

I'm still not clear about the importance of this proposal ...for me, the coaching profession, or clients.  Am hoping this becomes clearer in the upcoming weeks.  But it's easy to imagine just how differently this would be playing out if the ICF had paid more attention to first building an understanding around the purpose.  Ah, well ... that's the beauty of this profession.  Every situation is an opportunity to learn.

Meanwhile, you might want to stop by the site www.ICFCoachesTakeaStand.org and join with 600+ coaches in a call for a do-over.

Comments

[Anne Egros]

Thanks Carol for sharing your resources. For me, as a new coach, I choose an ICF training program to get an ACC certification because I think it is necessary to regulate the profession. I think ICF new proposal for ISO certification is going too far in the other direction wiyh only one level of certification requiring too many training and coaching hours. There are other international accreditation bodies like the european coaching institute offering 6 levels of certification, the first level being similar to ACC level. http://www.europeancoachinginstitute.org/accreditation/index.phpthe European

[Anne Egros]

I was to fast to enter the comment:
Here is the link to the ECI: http://www.europeancoachinginstitute.org/accreditation/coach_accreditation.php

[Anne Egros]

Sorry I made a mistake in previous post, here is the link to the European Coaching Institute:

http://www.europeancoachinginstitute.org/accreditation/coach_accreditation.php

I would be interested to get some feedback on how ICF can be compared with the ECI certifications

[Carol Gerrish]

Thanks, Anne, for adding an international perspective. The ISO standards that ICF proposes to move toward are supposed to reflect worldwide accepted standards and best practices for credentialing. But I haven't heard of other "human engagement" organizations that have done this. Would be interested in their experiences ... and what it has meant to their clients. Lots to discover in the coming weeks.