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.

What ICF-Approved Coach Training Teaches About Coaching and Morality for Life Coach Certification

After completing her life coach certification, Ann Marie was coaching Mario with a primary focus on managing his ADHD.  Together they discussed his focus, organization, and time management.  They worked on Mario’s strategy and developed a specific plan of action.
As Mario felt he had more control over his primary focus, he wanted to expand the coaching to goals in other areas of his life.  During the exploration process he shared he was having an affair.  Ann Marie was aware that Mario was married so for her this presented a dilemma.
Ann Marie spoke with her coaching certification trainer.  Her coach asked her, given this scenario, can you effectively coach this client?  Ann Marie thought about it and decided she personally could not because it simply bothered her too much.  Then her coach asked whether disclosing this to the client would create or add to a problem.  Ann Marie said yes because it would diminish the value the client currently placed on coaching.
Ann Marie and her coach discussed options and she decided that she would let her client know she had a personal conflict of interest and was removing herself as coach as taught in her ICF-approved coach training.  Ann Marie would provide referrals to other coaches.  If her client asked what the conflict was, Ann Marie would simply state that it was personal.  Ann Marie followed through with her plan and the client is now working with a different coach.
If you want to become a business coach, earn life coaching certification, executive coach certification, or career coach certification choose an ICF-approved coach training.

Considerations for Career Coach Certification and Becoming a Business Coach - Coaching the Whole Person or Coaching Only for the Job

Known as a top performer on the sales team, Joan was positive and mentored others on the team.  She consistently backed-up her colleagues and for 14 years was well-liked by her clients and colleagues.  Then, for reasons unknown to her employer, Joan’s sales numbers took a dive.  For 6 months she struggled and had a few okay months.  Her boss encouraged her, pushed her, and even talked about whether she was still up to the job.
The Human Resources department got involved and began coaching her on performance.  Joan was very open and accepting, took everything seriously, and worked hard.  Her numbers were just barely okay.
An outside coach was hired to work with Joan and took the whole person approach wherein they talked about both personal and work goals.  In this process, Joan shared she had recently lost her husband, her mother was terminally ill, and she was struggling as a newly single mom – all things that the employer only vaguely knew.  The coach worked with Joan on her goals in all areas of her life and on creating a strategy for moving forward.
As a result, Joan took the time to take care of things in her personal life which in turn empowered her to again focus effectively.  Her sales numbers came back up.
When deciding to earn a career coach certification or become a business coach consider that when coaching in the workplace, sometimes the thinking is that it is only appropriate to talk about the job.  In many cases this limits understanding and possibilities — as in this example.
Explore your possibilities for executive coach certification or life coaching certification through ICF-approved coach training with the Center for Coaching Certification.

Center for Coaching Certification and the Center for Coaching Solutions are Tools for Life Coaching Certification and Executive Coach Certification

Offering tools and resources for life coaching certification, executive coach certification, coaches, clients, and those entering the profession alike are the Center for Coaching Certification and the Center for Coaching Solutions.  Become a business coach or earn career coach certification in the ICF-approved coach training.

For clients: When looking for a coach, it makes sense to ask about their training and experience.  Through the Center for Coaching Certification, individuals may explore the directory of Certified Professional Coaches by visiting www.FindaCertifiedCoach.com.

Clients may also contact the Center for Coaching Solutions through www.CenterforCoachingSolutions.com for high level coaching and matching of coaches to meet specific interests.

Both the Center for Coaching Solutions and the Center for Coaching Certification offer free webinars with content about coaching, being coached, and having a coaching program in the workplace.

For those entering the coaching profession, the ICF-approved coach training at the Center for Coaching Certification offers excellent content, skill development, hands-on application, and a coaching process.  

Visit www.CenterforCoachingCertification.com for the program overview and the class schedule.

For coaches that have earned their Certified Professional Coach and/or their Certified Master Coach designation, including life coaching certification and executive coach certification, the tools and resources provided on the coach login page include business builder tools, self-directed coaching, and dozens of coaching questionnaires.

Benefit From ICF-Approved Coach Training for Your Coaching Certification

The International Coach Federation is a resource and a tool for coaches.
Whether you want to become a business coach, earn life coaching certification, executive coach certification, or career coach certification the coaching certification program quality matters.  The International Coach Federation, ICF, approves coach training programs. As a resource,the ICF offers continuing education opportunities, research, and networking opportunities after your coaching certification in an ICF-approved coach training program.The ICF publishes the Code of Ethics and the 11 Core Competencies. Even more significantly, the ICF is a leader in the profession and industry. The ICF is an advocate for self-regulation and provides the means to make it both possible and realistic.

The ICF provides an opportunity for coaches to network, collaborate, and learn.It supports coaches with continuing education opportunities, information, and coaching tools.
The ICF is a resource for coaching clients because with it they know the standards of their coach and they have a resource to go to if they have concerns.

The ICF is a non-profit,professional membership organization.To become a member, a coach must have 60 hours of ICF-approved coach training.If a coach is interested in additional credentialing,training plus experience may be combined in the process to earn one of three credentials, the ACC,PCC,or MCC.Each of these credentials requires an increasing number of training and paid coaching hours.Membership in the ICF is incredibly important for professional coaches and the additional credentials are an option.

Using Personality Tools after Life Coach Certification

Is it appropriate for a coach to give personality assessments?  Most personality assessment tools have a certification process prior to administering the tool.  If a coach is also certified in that personality assessment tool, administering the assessment falls under that role or capacity.  Coaching begins where the assessment ends.  Specifically, using the results of an assessment, a coach works with a client to understand the information, develop a strategy for what they want to change, and then design actions to move forward.

In life coach certification or executive coaching certification, there is discussion about understanding a client; the results of a personality assessment provide benefits and risks.  On the benefit side, personality assessments provide insight, a framework for understanding, and an awareness of personal nuances.  On the risk side, some people disagree with the results and are frustrated by the information.  After you become a business coach or complete career coach certification, the biggest risk is in believing that now, with a personality label, you know your client; people are different at different times and have different interpretations of the questions at different times.

One of the competencies for coaching is being present.  The ideal in coaching is to be aware of who your client is in the moment – be fully present to their personality and flex to them in that moment based on who they are right now.  In the ICF-approved coach training at the Center for Coaching Certification, the tool on personalities is specifically designed to be aware of who the client is in the moment and then flexing to them appropriately.