How to Compete When Anybody Can Call Themselves a Coach

Question –  How can we collectively professionalize coaching when anyone can set up as a coach even when they have no training or experience?

Jennifer – That’s a really important, timely question. Many of you are already doing it. You’re giving legitimacy and credibility to the coaching industry when you take your professional development seriously.  

For example, when you join us each month on the free Power Hour or join a skill building group like the Powerhouse Coaching Club. When you are networking with other coaches or learning the International Coaching Federation’s code of ethics and benchmarks. Getting training from an ICF Certified Coach or earning your ICF credential.

As many of you know, the International Coaching Federation is the top governing body for life coaches. Therefore it's a no brainer to associate yourself with the ICF because they have put forth the competencies, ethics and the guidelines that define what coaching is and what it isn't. So that is why I love being part of it.

I'm not an evangelist of the ICF because it serves them. That’s not my motivation at all. I'm a massive fan of the ICF because it makes my life much easier. The ICF gives me credibility as a practitioner through the credential I have earned through them. Plus, there's no question whether or not I am doing coaching right or wrong. Because it's there, in writing, outlined by the ICF. Are there other governing bodies in the coaching world? Yes. Are they in alinement with the ICF? Some are, some aren’t. But there are none with the reputation, credibility and vision to shape the coaching industry’s maturation, like the ICF.

So basically, the short answer is, keep working at your professional development and associate yourself with the ICF through their educational programs. Get your ACC, PCC and MCC credential through them. That's how to professionalize the industry.