What types of coaching certification are there?

Coaching certification has value in your career and coaching has application in every facet of the working world, family, and in the communities in which people participate.  Companies are now developing a “coaching culture” and the leaders are using a “coaching style of management” to enhance results.  On a personal level, learning the people and communication skills that are considered basic competencies for a coach helps with relationships at home, in the community, and when serving as a volunteer.

The coaching niche areas number in the thousands.  Generally speaking, coaching is identified with one of four large categories.

• Career coach certification means serving individuals looking for a job, redefining their career, or advancing their career. 

• Life coaching certification is for supporting exploration and action in areas meaningful to the individual including relationships, family, legacy, life purpose, spirituality, life management, and transitions.

• Become a business coach to work with individual owners or managers of small to mid-sized businesses.

• Executive coach certification is for coaches that provide services to individuals in the corporate world.

These categories serve as a general way of describing coaching.  Each type of coaching may and often does overlap in to the other areas. 

When coaches are trained in an ICF-approved coach training, the focus is on developing their coaching skills.  Their background, experience, and previous education provide the foundation for their coaching niche area or areas.

ICF-approved Coach Training

Coaching continues to grow as a profession and is gaining ever more popularity because it works and ICF-approved Coach Training is essential when entering the profession.

What is coaching? The definition from the International Coach Federation is: “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

What isn’t coaching?

• Coaching is not mentoring. A mentor is a voice of wisdom and experience passing on what they know and giving advice. In comparison, a coach provides a process expertise and thereby elicits the answer from the client.
• Coaching is not consulting. A consultant is an expert that is brought in to analyze, develop a plan, and advise. In comparison, a coach serves as a sounding board and strategy partner so the client explores possibilities and creates their plan of action.
• Coaching is not a mental health service. A mental health professional works to restore an individual to wellness. In comparison, a coach works with an individual that is well and whole to consider what they want and move forward toward their goals.

Whether you decide to become a business coach, complete executive coach certification, earn your lifecoaching certification, or complete career coach certification, the coaching certification supports effective coaching and results.

Does someone with Executive Coach Certification address specific goals only?

Whatever the type of coaching following an ICF-approved coach training, the question comes up as to whether the coaching sessions cover areas other than the specific purpose for which the coach is engaged.  For example, some believe that only the job should be discussed.  In many cases and especially after executive coach certification, this is because often the employer is paying for the coaching.  In this scenario, some believe that company funds should only be spent on workplace topics.     

A different perspective is that when coaching, if the coaching sessions and understanding are limited to one area only, then the outcome is also limited.  Harvard Business Review stated that 76% of the time when an executive coach is engaged, personal issues are also addressed. 

The balance is to start with an opening session exploring what the individual wants in all areas of their life.  Then in the second session, work on how that person will create the thinking and habits they want to support their progress and success.  Then, from the third session on, the focus is about the job or the primary reason for the coaching.  This supports awareness for the individual and their coach of who they are and what is important to them. 

Through this process the client and their coach have a big picture understanding and develop strong rapport.  Then, when other areas in the life of the client are impacting them on the job or as they work on their primary interests, the client and the coach are prepared to effectively discuss and strategize.  The client is a whole person and what they want in each area of their life influences them in each of the other areas.

Whether you decide to become a business coach, complete executive coach certification, earn your life coaching certification, or complete career coach certification, the coaching certification ideally addresses how each person does have influencing factors and outside considerations that impact their goals.

After Executive Coach Certification, what is the role of a coach?

Executive Coach Certification in an ICF-approved coach training teaches that a coach is a strategy partner.  Exploring strategy is essential for creating the best possibility of a successful outcome.  The coach challenges and expands thinking so the client fully considers and develops their approach. 

A coach is a sounding board.  The opportunity to brainstorm and talk through different ideas supports effective decision making.

A coach is a provider of perspective.  While it is easy to give advice and suggestions, it is most effective when an individual figures out their own answer.  When a client is truly stuck, a coach will provide several different examples or perspectives to empower their thinking and planning.

A coach is an intention partner.  A coach supports a client by ensuring they are intentional about their strategy and action steps.  A coach partners with their client to stay focused.

A coach is a motivation partner.  The coach asks the clients questions to create awareness of what they do want and their internal motivation, then regularly asks them about the benefit and value of continuing to move toward their goals.

A coach is an accountability partner.  The coach checks in with a client on their progress.   The coach explores with a client what is holding them back and how they will move forward.  The coach also recognizes success along the way and partners with the client to acknowledge what they achieve to them self.

Whether you decide to become a business coach, complete executive coach certification, earn your life coaching certification, or complete career coach certification, the coaching certification supports effective coaching and results.