Life Coach Certification through ICF-Approved Coach Training

What is a life coach?  From the positive perspective, it is a partnership between a coach and a client wherein the client explores:

• what they want
• opportunities
• options for new possibilities
• strategies for moving forward
• action planning
• a method for accountability
• awareness for celebrating progress and success along the way

After attending ICF-approved coach training and earning the life coach certification, the coach serves as a strategic partner and serves by listening, asking questions, and partnering for the accountability the client chooses.
The focus of the coaching varies widely and just a few examples of niche areas include:

• Work / Life Balance
• ADHD
• Legacy
• Relationships
• Personal Awareness
• Confidence
• Self-actualization

Coaches often have focus areas or niches which then lend themselves to expertise in terms of approach and awareness.  Clients enter coaching with a sense of their own reasons for engaging a life coach.  Together, the coach and the client define the coaching relationship and the process.
On the negative side, some well-intentioned individuals who lack effective, ICF-approved coach training function in the role of an advisor or worse, an unlicensed counselor or therapist even though they title themselves as a coach.
As a coach, ensure you have the appropriate training, the Code of Ethics (published by the International Coach Federation, the ICF), and that you develop the 11 Core Competencies (also developed by the ICF).
As a client, ask prospective coaches about their life coach certification, training, whether they subscribe to the ICF Code of Ethics, and about their experience.

Considerations for Becoming a Business Coach or Earning a Career Coach Certification

When deciding to become a business coach or earn a career coach certification, it may be helpful to ask: how do different coaches best serve the clients?  Coaches often tap their own experiences and passions for clients using their services.  This may include training, consulting, and coaching.  Then the coach explores what training is appropriate for them to provide the services professionally.
Typically, coaches develop their own specific process after becoming a business coach or earning a career coach certification.  Typically processes include training and/or consulting in addition to coaching.  While completely different, each approach has validity.  One important consideration is to ensure transparency with the blend of roles.  This means discussing with the client when it is training, consulting, or coaching.
When you become a business coach, have a conversation around the client’s areas of interest and the focus.  After you become a business coach, develop options for offering coaching services.  As a client, explore the training and experience of the coach.  Together, discuss the blend of training, consulting, and coaching that will best service the client.  Define who plays which role and when as you develop the relationship and partner for the success of the client.
The career coaching process may be based on areas of expertise for the coach or alternatively it may be adjusted or created based on what is appropriate for the client.  If you choose to earn a career coach certification, share your areas of expertise and discuss options for the process.  As a client, select a coach that you connect with and that offers the expertise you seek.

Succeeding with Life Coaching Certification or Executive Coach Certification by Knowing What Matters for Your Client

After you have completed a life coaching certification or executive coach certification, you as the coach benefit by continuing to learn and by staying engaged.  Do this by reading, participating in training classes, attending events that match your niche, and through social media.  This will keep you up-to-date with current trends, issues, and ideas.  Your knowledge shows when your client discusses something relevant and you understand what he or she is talking about.
When you are at training programs or events your ideal clients may attend, actively listening to hear what others are saying about topics that are relevant.  Show interest and ask questions.  In addition to enhancing your knowledge of what matters to your clients, you are potentially connecting with new prospects or referral sources.
Another opportunity for awareness and education is online discussions.  Observe what is important for your clients through discussions on LinkedIn, re-tweets on Twitter, and even Facebook activity.  Use the skills you learned while earning the life coaching certification or executive coach certification when reviewing questions and answers.  Where appropriate, your participation in the discussion demonstrates your expertise and invites prospective clients to ‘find’ you and connect.
Do remember to ask questions and explore understanding.  As a coach, you are guiding them with a process so your clients expand their thinking, discover new possibilities, refine their strategy, and reach their full potential.

Coaching Certification for All Coaching Niches and Processes with ICF-Approved Coach Training

The coaching profession is at a stage of growth that most professions undergo: either successfully self-regulate or government will regulate.  This means that regardless of the type of coaching, it is essential as professionals that minimum standards and a Code of Ethics are in place for all those who call themselves a coach.  The International Coach Federation is the gold standard for coaching certification and the leader for self-regulation.  Currently, requirements for membership include 60 hours of ICF-approved coach training and accountability to the Code of Ethics.
Because untrained coaches or coaches whose training fails to adequately address ethics and coaching competencies are a reflection on the profession as a whole, national and state governments are watching the industry and in some cases implementing new legislation.  There are those who say the creative process of coaching must be protected and then others assert that requiring training, coaching certification, and ethics stifles it.  In reality, training and ethics enhance the creativity of the process because training and ethics invite and encourage it.
As a coach, consider this: professionals in all fields have training and ethics requirements and standards.  When hiring a professional, consumers rely on them having the appropriate level of training and ethics.  As a client, ask prospective coaches questions about training, ethics, and experience.
The basics for a coach offering services include what is required for membership in the International Coach Federation: 60 hours of ICF-approved coach training and accountability to the Code of Ethics.