Coach Training for Creating Focus, Motivation, and Successful Habits

It is easy to have a goal or a work plan and then get so busy the goal or plan is forgotten.  In many organizations, a consultant develops a great plan and then it sits on the shelf because the day-to-day functioning consumes all the time and focus of the employees.  Certified Professional Coaches are aware that this is a barrier for clients. 

During the coaching process, focusing on how to move past these barriers makes a difference.   It takes time to change thinking and habits.  What does work?  There are many different examples of tools and processes for focusing thinking and changing habits.  There is extensive research available on how to change habits or develop new habits.  There is research around thinking and choosing thinking too. 

Because people that attend ICF-approved coach training want to be a business coach, earn their executive coaching certification, say they have life coaching certification, or offer services after career coaching certification the Center for Coaching Certification program offers a unique array of tools and teaches coaching process.  The Certified Professional Coach provides tools for the client to ensure they have the information coming in.

After developing the 11 Core Competencies of a Coach as published by the ICF through coach training, the Center for Coaching Certification continues offering resources and opportunities to support ongoing excellence in coaching.

Coach Training for Coaching Process

Different coaches use different process. Some coaches simply ask the client to choose a topic and then brainstorm ideas with them. Other coaches act as consultants and give an assessment, then decide priorities based on the results. Certified Professional Coaches with the Center for Coaching Certification learn a specific process and learn that it is all about the client so it is essential to flex to the client.

One of the early considerations is whether the coach is working only on specific areas, typically job related, or whether the coach is working with the whole person. If the coach is working only on specific areas, it may be because an employer is paying for the coaching and they feel the time should be all about the work. The benefit of whole person coaching is that whatever is happening in an individual’s life does affect their work. After coaching certification, Certified Professional Coaches are prepared for both types of coaching.

The next consideration is whether the coaching is about business, life, career, or executive leadership. Often the question is asked whether the Center for Coaching Certification offers business coach training, life coaching certification, executive coach certification, or career coach certification. This ICF-approved coach training specifically trains on coaching. This means that the 11 Core Competencies of a Coach, as published by the ICF, are the focus. After completing the Certified Professional Coach training, the type of coaching is based on the individual coach’s experience, education, and areas of expertise.

Coaching Certification Includes Learning Whole Person Coaching

Whole person coaching means that the coach takes time with the client to fully explore what they want in all areas of their life.  This makes sense because the client is an individual and all areas of their life affect all other areas.  After exploring all goals in a coaching session, future sessions are often focused on business, executive leadership, or career.  Then, when something from their life is impacting them, the client is comfortable discussing it because of the whole person coaching process.

In whole person coaching, an initial coaching session that lasts 90 minutes is scheduled.  The Certified Professional Coach learns in coach training to ask the client about what they want in all areas of their life.  The client experiences the time and space to consider what they want personally, in their relationships, in their career, financially, in terms of their health, and for their lifestyle.  The coach listens, probes, and clarifies.  The experience is amazing for the client in that they really think about what they want in all areas, and they say it out loud which creates a new level of awareness and focus.

Whether the purpose of coach training is to be a business coach, earn your life coaching certification, advance with executive coaching certification, or create opportunities with career coaching certification the whole person approach supports establishing trust and developing rapport because the client is aware that the coach knows and understands influencing factors.

After this full exploration, the next step in the coaching process is providing a tool so that the client maintains their focus and creates the habits they want to support the goals they choose.  From there the coach works with the client on priorities and action plans.

Building a Coaching Business

Are you considering a coaching business? The first question perhaps is, “Does it make sense to start a coaching business?” Given the struggling economy, downsizing, and companies with fewer employees doing more, being an entrepreneur is about creating your own opportunity and serving companies that are focused on increased productivity. Coaching is currently the second fastest growing industry in the world.

The next question is, “Do I have to be certified?” Technically no. Coaching is an uncontrolled industry. That is changing. The International Coach Federation, ICF, is a professional membership organization and the leader in coaching. Coaching will either successfully self-regulate through the ICF or government will begin to regulate it. All professions require some level of training. According to the Harvard Business Review, 70% of the time clients have some level of interest in certification. Attending ICF-approved coach training goes beyond requirement – it is about professionalism and excellence.

Finally you might ask, “What kind of coaching do I want to do?” Whether you want to be a business coach, or provide services after life coaching certification, executive coaching certification, or career coaching certification, the type of coaching you offer is based on your experience and expertise. At the Center for Coaching Certification, coach training focuses on developing the 11 Core Competencies of a coach and learning a coaching process.

Life Coaching Certification Changes the Conversation

Rather than telling, a life coach asks questions. Consider this example:

Coach: How are you doing?

Client: Okay. I wish there was an easier way to coordinate everyone’s schedule.

Coach: How do you do it now?

Client: I call each person and check on possible dates.

Coach: What would you change?

Client: I wish I could talk to them all at once.

Coach: What are the options for that?

Client: I don’t know – this is what I am told to do.

Coach: If it worked better would everyone be okay with a change?

Client: I guess so.

Coach: What changes are possible?

Client: We could schedule the next one when everyone is together in the first place.

Coach: What else?

Client: I could email everyone simultaneously.

Coach: What else?

Client: I could have a calendar everyone can access.

Coach: What are you going to do?

Client: I am going to suggest when they are together that we schedule the next time then or that we have a calendar everyone can access. I think they will go for it and if they don’t I will ask if I can email everyone instead of calling.

Coach: Seems like you really know your stuff – good idea.

Client: Thanks.

After life coaching certification, coaching really is this simple: instead of telling, ask.

Executive Coach Certification Applies on the Job

Do executive coaching skills enhance performance in jobs other than coaching?  The questions is really too easy – yes!  Skills from executive coach certification are applicable in all types of work. 

Gallup polls find that the number one reason people quit their job is their boss.  Business News published a study that indicated 84% of workers wanted to quit their job and find something different in 2011 – when the economy was struggling!  What are the reasons?  Studies show that the top skill deficiencies in the workplace are people and communication skills.  Top in the core competencies of an executive coach are people and communication skills.  Learning coaching skills does make a difference on the job. 

Consider this example:
To complete a project, an employee is waiting on something from a different department.  In the past, when they approached that department they became defensive and held up the project. 
Coaching skills include communication techniques so that you are able to listen effectively, ask questions, and use clear, respectful language that works. 
When the employee approaches the other department using coaching skills, they first consider their priorities and motivation. Next they take the time to ask questions about what is happening, and ask their process and timeline for delivery.  Changing the approach changes the outcome.

Executive coaching skills enhance communication and people skills resulting in productive interactions and enhanced results.

Career Coach Certification for Results

Have you ever gotten in to an elevator and pushed the button for the floor you are already on? Without thinking, I got on at the first floor, pushed “1” and waited. My friend said, “Aren’t we going to the fourth floor?” Amazing how much more effective it was when I pushed the right button! In our careers, often we focus on where we are, the problems, or on the confusing processes.

Consider this example: A professional decides to look for a different job. They easily describe what they do not want in their new position. They know their resume lacks polish. They are over-whelmed by the job search process. Finally, they get help from someone who has ICF-approved coach training. Their new career coach asks questions about what they do want so they fully explore their priorities. Then the career coach reviews their resume and asks probing questions for information to enhance the content. With their career coach the professional reviews online resources for job opportunities and then focuses on the most promising sites.

Just like finding a new job, coaching certification is about exploring what you do want and then intentionally moving towards making it happen. The reason for choosing career coach certification is to make a difference with clients.

Become a Business Coach for Business Leaders

Leaders have co-pilots.  Historically the co-pilots have been a spouse or significant other, a mentor, a close friend, a parent or sibling, a consultant, or, of course, a business coach.  Increasingly the business coach is more common as the ICF-approved coach training options and focus of the coaching certification process has been refined and enhanced.  Now it is expected that a great leader has a great coach.

What are the reasons that there is so much value in a business coach? 
Full consideration and exploration of the possibilities - the business coach asks questions, going further than the coachee would on their own.
Clarity and focus – the business coach probes for complete understanding and to determine priorities.
Goal setting – the business coach ensures the goals are specific and measurable.
Strategy and action planning – the business coach works with the leader to fully develop their strategy and plan.
Accountability – the business coach holds the leader accountable.
Skill development – the leader develops skills because it is included in their strategy and planning, and because the business coach provides a living example.

A business coach unique among co-pilots for a leader because they are focused completely on the leader.  The involvement of the business coach is supporting the leader to achieve outcomes they choose.