The Coaching Profession
Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential according to the International Coach Federation (ICF). Though coaching is informed by excellent consulting practices and theories of emotional, social, and spiritual development, it is neither therapy nor consulting. Read more about how it differs from therapy, consulting, mentoring, training and athletic development.
The International Coach Federation is the coaching profession's largest and most-respected professional association. The ICF advances the coaching profession by setting high professional standards, providing independent certification, building a network of credentialed coaches, and by being an authoritative source on coaching information and research.
In 1998, when the profession was in its infancy, the ICF had fewer than 2,000 members; its membership now exceeds 20,000 coaches representing 92 countries and is growing by an average of 350 members every month. And as the profession grows in size, so does its stature.
In a corporate setting, coaching is an essential executive skill that is recognized as one of the fundamental competencies that top leaders need to manage effectively. It is also a critical tool for retaining the youngest generations of employees who do not always share the goals and values of their older colleagues.
Coaches establishing a private practice help clients recognize the barriers to their success and systematically surmount them. They support clients to envision a fulfilling life and to actually achieve it. Whether the specialty is parenting, health and fitness, time management, emotional intelligence, personal finance, or other developmental areas, a certified coach can make a big difference in someone's life. And in return, the coach receives financial compensation and enormous satisfaction. It's a rewarding collaboration for client and coach alike.
Feedback on the value of coaching…
“Coaching is an everyday part of my job as a Director of Sales. Being able to teach my team to be good coaches to the sales process and good mentors to their sales people is a skill that would be beneficial to any director of sales.”
Rebecca Lamperski
Comcast Spotlight - Tri-State Senior Director of Sales
"We want to do everything we can, not only to retain our people, but to also develop them. The best return on investment to retaining employees is to provide coaching for their development. Our return on investment in talented employees through effective coaching is a requirement today. You can't have too many effective coaches on your team."
Craig R. Stauffer, Director, Human Resources
Quest Diagnostics, Pittsburgh Business Unit
“As the first Canadian to be Division Managing Director/General Manager for an American based company, Donna coached me as I worked to build a collaborative team among my direct reports located throughout Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver. With her guidance, I learned how to coach my direct reports and manage the multicultural issues between the US Corporate and Canadian Field organization.
She also helped me work through the issues of transitioning into a new leadership position that allowed me to live my values and attain a work-life balance. This led me to look for a company with wholesome values and integrity and found exactly that in my present assignment.”
A. Armstrong
Manitoulin Transport