Coaching is one of the fastest-growing professions in the world. The ability to help others grow and achieve their goals can make you a valuable member of any organization, and it gives you the opportunity to do meaningful work that also pays well. And, if you want to become your own boss, you won’t find a more powerful way to earn what you are worth while transforming the lives and businesses of others!
With so many coaching programs to choose from, how do you know you’re choosing the right one?
Before diving into a coaching program, there are several things to consider including credibility, methodology, leveragability, business development, community, logistics, and resonance. Let’s take a closer look at each and see why they are all important factors before choosing the best coach training program for who you are and what you want to accomplish.
#1 | Credibility
Is the school you are considering credible? What professional organizations do they align with? Who has vetted their programs? Their Instructors?
When choosing a coach training program, you want to make sure that the program is credible. The best way to do this is by checking their reputation and their track record of success.
The International Coach Federation (ICF) is the largest and most well-known credentialing organization in the world. Since 1995, they have been credentialing coaches and schools alike. When choosing a school, I highly recommend the ICF’s database as a starting point to ensure the program you are choosing meets the highest standards for professional conduct and performance.
In addition, inquire about the instructors. Are the instructors “trainers” or are they ICF certified professional “coaches?” Hopefully the people leading your training courses are both professionally trained “trainers” and active credentialed coaches who are in the trenches and can answer questions beyond just the basics of coaching.
#2 | Coaching Methodology
The second thing you’ll want to look at is the coaching methodology. While there are many different types of coaching methodologies, there are essentially three types:
- Foundational coaching programs offer the basics and are perfect for those who want to add coaching skills into their toolkit. People who attend these programs usually want to learn the basic coaching skills, as opposed to becoming a full-time professional coach. They are trainers, therapists, and consultants who want to add coaching skills to their professional toolkit, thereby supplementing and improving the quality and success of their chosen specialty.
- Specialized Niche Programs Other schools build on these basic coaching skills and specialize in a particular style or method of coaching. Some focus on working with certain populations or particular groups of individuals such as Breast Cancer Survivors or those with ADHD. Within these settings, a coach infuses the curriculum with specific knowledge, content or processes related to that particular client need. Additional examples are executive and other specific types of health coaching to name a few.
- Proprietary method programs such as our Whole Person Coaching methodology, offer unique tools and techniques as well as a proprietary approach for evoking change and working with clients. Instead of focusing on a single population or specific situation, a school that focuses on a particular method allows you to work with more people using a proven process that can be adapted to a wide variety of people. The process itself is unique and often known for how it works to produce results in others, as opposed to the types of clients it serves.
#3 | Leveragability
A new career or life change is never easy. And no one wants to start at zero. That’s why the coach training program you choose must allow you to build on your past experiences, as well as the skills and expertise you’ve gained along the way.
Many people use their past experience to pursue work as a coach or as a starting point for their own coaching businesses. For example, let’s say you have worked for seven years as a yoga teacher. Now, you want to work one-on-one with your clients and lead coaching workshops and programs to supplement your services. Or maybe you’re coming from a corporate or business arena. You may want to build your own business to work with others like you by leveraging your expertise as an “outside” coach or consultant.
For your training to be worth it, you should know how you can use the lessons learned. This includes how this training will help grow your business, expand your network and provide a return on investment.
#4 | Business Development Trainings
& ICF Mentorship
In the business of change, there are two types of change. The first is positive change. It happens when our clients achieve their results. The second is monetary change. This is the necessary component that enables us to stay in business doing our good work.
If you are considering working inside an organization as a coach, this latter factor may not be relevant in your decision making process. But if you are considering starting your own business or working for a coaching firm where you’ll be selling your services, this is definitely for you!
Mentorship is an important part of the coaching business, especially when you’re just starting out. If a coach does not have a mentor or mentee, then they are missing out on valuable training and information that will help them grow their business.
While it’s true that mentorship can take many forms and be delivered in many different formats, there are still some key things to remember when selecting your own mentor(s). Mentors should be willing and able to answer all questions related to your personal development and growth as a coach. They should also be available for live meetings or online chats as needed. And if possible, try to find someone who works remotely so that scheduling time together isn’t difficult or inconvenient for either party involved!
#5 | Global Network & Community
This next factor is important to those who value long-term personal and professional relationships. If you are someone who loves to learn and go, and aren’t interested in building relationships with your school and peers, you might skip this section. But if you’re looking for a reliable network that can provide resources and support, this is definitely not to be overlooked.
One of the most important things you can do when looking for a coach training program is to find a community that supports your goals. Ideally, this will be a group of like-minded individuals who are willing to support each other in reaching their individual goals.
Finding a community that is right for you isn’t always easy. However, if you know what to look for, it shouldn’t take long before you find yourself surrounded by people who share similar interests and values.
When choosing the best coach training program, keep in mind that it’s important to find a community that is diverse – this helps ensure that all voices are heard and valued within the group as well as providing opportunities for learning from each other’s experiences. In addition to this being important culturally speaking, it also makes sense logically: if everyone has different backgrounds then there will always be different perspectives on things which means more knowledge gained overall!
#6 | Logistics & Details
When looking for the best coach training program, it’s a good idea to consider your needs and preferences in terms of logistics. Here are some things to think about:
Delivery methods: Do you prefer an online or in-person format? There are pros and cons of each, so think about what works best for you. Some people like having an instructor right there next to them while they learn new skills, while others can grow frustrated with an instructor who is unable to fully connect with them due to time constraints (or simply not being able to understand their unique learning style). If possible, visit the training center before enrolling and ask yourself if this is where you would feel most comfortable learning.
Schedule: Will this schedule fit into my life? This isn’t just about work hours; it’s also about weekends and family commitments. If you have small children at home or other responsibilities that require your attention during certain times of day, being able to schedule around those obligations is crucial. Ask yourself how much flexibility will be needed in order for this program to work for me?
Timing: When does this start/end? How long does each session last? Do I need any prerequisites before starting the coursework (e.g., previous experience)? What happens after graduation from this program—do I get anything back from my investment besides knowledge gained through participation?
#7 | Resonance
Does the coach training program align with who you are and what matters most to you?
This is one of the most important differences you’ll discover when comparing coach training programs. And it’s one to watch out for. Some programs are simply a recollection of the methods and approach that worked for one person. These are often based on the experiences of that individual and used to create a cookie-cutter program.
Everyone is unique. And change requires a holistic approach that integrates all aspects of the person to create sustainable, transformational level changes. The big question here is: how are you feeling about the program you are considering? Does it feel like “home” to you, or are you still questioning if it’s the right fit? How strongly do you resonate with the program’s creator and what they stand for?
Our programs have been designed to incorporate how you think and feel into the process, making each application unique. Staying true to yourself and the unique principles that comprise your integrity, our programs celebrate you and your ways of navigating the world. It’s a win-win. You build on your core tenets and your clients reap the benefits through a process that can be tailor-made to each individual.
If you’re considering enrolling in a coaching program, it’s important to know what to look for before enrolling. While you may think that all coaching programs are created equal, there is a difference between the best ones and those that don’t live up to their promises.
Research and Know What You Want
If you’re considering enrolling in a coaching program, it’s important to know what to look for and do your research. While you may think that all coaching programs are created equal, there are 100’s to choose from, and all of them are different.
At Coach Training World, we focus on who you are and what matters most to you. You will be invited to honor and embrace all of who you are – especially the part of you that requires financial stability yet desires an income earned through a meaningful life of your choice. We encourage you to incorporate your personal values and beliefs into our coaching model, leveraging all aspects of who you are: mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual.
Far more than just a standard coaching process, Whole Person Coaching® is a way of being. It offers an evolutionary process through which the whole of who you are emerges.
As you become a Whole Person Coach, you design, manifest and live your dream-come-true life, career or business.
Our customized coaching method makes you highly effective in all areas of your life by tapping into your core values and embracing your own wholeness. By doing so, you create a way of being that allows you to operate from the depth and meaning of your authentic self. Serving as a role model for your own clients, your devotion to yourself is a testament to your devotion to your work.
Training to become an ICF Professional Whole Person Certified Coach you might start out as your first client… but thereafter the world is at your feet in terms of opportunity.
