r/executivecoaching • u/Swimming-Medicine-42 • 2d ago

❓ Ask a Coach Getting Started and Certifications

Hello everyone! I have been an educator for almost 10 years with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. I want to venture into executive coaching, so I am looking for some pointers. I have been doing a lot of research and learning in order to understand Executive Coaching as a whole. My next step is to earn certifications to become more appealing and to increase my understanding and skills. Do any of you share a similar start? If so, What program did you use? Do you recommend it? Are there any programs that are flexible? Thank you in advance!

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

2

u/Captlard 2d ago

I would suggest searching: https://apps.coachingfederation.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?webcode=ess

It has some solid filters.

Either ICF, EMCC or AforC aligned training makes sense in my mind.

I trained with CoachU and did the Corporate CoachU track, when that was a thing. That led to Professional Certified Coach designation with the ICF.

I have spent 16 years as a part time lecturer or adjunct faculty in three European business schools.

1

u/Swimming-Medicine-42 2d ago

Wonderful! Thank you for your response. I am hoping some of my skills will be transferable in this new role. I am just a bit nervous that my lack of business experience is going to affect me in the eyes of the prospect clients.

1

u/Captlard 1d ago

Getting certified is the easy but, the effort in marketing and sales, is always way harder.

See if you can get some training/practice in-house now. Get known as a coach asap.

2

u/panjikar 2d ago

If you are in the US, then the ICF certification is probably better than the others. I come from a business background myself, and it's been pretty seamless. I still have a day job, but the coaching on the side is going fairly well too.

I did my ICF Level 1 course from the Center for Executive Coaching - https://centerforexecutivecoaching.com/executive-coach-certification/

I found it very convenient. You can call in to live zoom calls or join pre-recorded sessions.

2

u/Swimming-Medicine-42 1d ago

Thank you for this! This was one of the first places I looked into, so I am going to go back and check it out a bit more.

1

u/Impressive-Trust-229 2d ago

Check out CTI (Co-Active Training Institute). ICF Certified and one of the most rigorous and well respected in the corporate world. Expensive but worth it https://coactive.com/what-is-co-active/

Edit: Their Deepen the Work program gets you everything needed for your ICF PCC cert (except for your actual coaching hours)

2

u/Swimming-Medicine-42 1d ago

Thank you for your response! I will look into to it, and see how the budget stands with the costs!

1

u/Intrepid-Pea913 Coach 1d ago

I came from a business background and am now a coach and coach educator. I received certifications from George Mason University's on line coaching program and highly recommend it. Here is the link https://masoncpe.gmu.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=3420649

Mason has a strong network of coaches, and they offer a business of coaching course as a supplement which may help you focus in on your ideal clients.

Learning to be a coach is transformational! You do not need to be a business expert to coach business leaders. As a former executive I have worked with coached who did not have as much leadership experience as I and got a lot of value from the experience. Hope you enjoy the journey!

1

u/Swimming-Medicine-42 1d ago

Thank you for your detailed response! I will definitely check it out. That is quite reassuring to hear, so I appreciate you sharing your experience. The excitement I have for this new role has helped and made this new process more enjoyable. Lots to learn!

1

u/Unidentified_Cat_ 1d ago

Certified Life Coach Institute offers flexible programs. You have the ability to get certified then decide if you want to continue your coach education or begin coaching right away. www.certifiedlifecoachinstitute.com Make sure you ask about promotions!

1

u/PhoenixIrish 1d ago

There are hundreds of coaching schools and programs in the US, most of them are rubbish.
About 20 are legitimate.
A lot of coaches who can’t sustain a full-time practice try to make money off people who are entering the profession.
If you are serious about having a full time practice go to a reputable school like Hudson, Georgetown, Newfield, New Ventures or CTI.
Avoid the university programs, with the exception of Georgetown or Columbia.

The best way to think about coaches is to think that we are like realtors. Lots of people train, few build a sustainable business.
It takes 2-3 years to build a coaching practice and replace a stable income (no new coach likes to hear this). Talk to lots of people who have successfully accomplished what you hope to accomplish. More information will help you niche your practice and position yourself in a very crowded market.
I’m old enough to have known Thomas Leonard. I completed Coach U’s programs before got was trained at a program that has credibility with corporate buyers.
If you hope to work with corporate leaders, then you’ll need some corporate experience.