Some common questions

Do I need to do a training course or get a qualification to coach?

No.  However, this may not be the case in the future as regulation of the coaching industry is under much discussion.

It is worth getting coach specific training as:

• whatever your abilities, they can be greatly improved with proper training
• good training can your transition from another career or business into the coaching industry
• if you are looking to work with large organisations or government funded bodies it is useful to be able to give evidence of relevant professional coaching qualifications  - and some agencies require this.
• some coaching professional bodies require you to have undertaken coach specific training in order to access specific levels of membership,  credentials or accreditation – the International Coach Federation, for example.
• coaching is a highly competitive industry and appropriate coaching qualifications can give you a competitive advantage
• some coaching directories will not list your services if you have not had coach specific training

At Coaches Plus we thoroughly recommend and endorse good quality coach-specific training because it increases your confidence and skills-base and is often a useful platform from which to build your coaching practice.  We also believe that clients benefit from working with skilled coaches who are committed to investing in their own professional development as coaches.

Do I need to get accredited/credentialed?

No.  Credentialing or accreditation is a process whereby you apply to your coaching professional body to have your learning, experience, coaching hours, skills levels etc recognised.

Sometimes this is done via paper-based evidence alone and sometimes it requires tests, assessments or exams – depending on the professional body.

Lots of coaches apply for accreditation or credentialing in order to:

• have a specific designation they can use to communicate their skills/experience/qualifications to prospective clients – and distinguish themselves from less experienced or qualified coaches.
• take up positions of responsibility and leadership within their professional body, in order to gain experience of leadership, raise their profile and credibility, make contacts both with and outside the professional body, and to influence the direction of the coaching profession.

Do I need to belong to a professional association/coaching body?

No.  Rather than one single entity - there are a number of professional bodies worldwide.  However, they vary in size, level and type of activity and focus.

Coaches join coaching professional bodies to:

• be part of a larger coaching community and keep in touch with best practice an emerging trends in the industry
• communicate their professionalism to potential clients
• apply for accreditation/credentialing
• benefit from member resources, events, conferences and discounted services and products
• support the professional development of the coaching industry

Coaches Plus thoroughly recommends membership of a coaching professional body.

Do I need a coach or a mentor or a supervisor?

No.  However, there are great benefits to both yourself and your clients if you have this type of support.

• it communicates your professionalism and confidence in coaching if you yourself engage a coach
• you can benefit from working with someone who is currently successful in your chosen profession
• mentor coaches can give you specific feedback on your coaching skills to improve you skills and prepare you for assessments, examinations, demonstrations or tests and support you through the accreditation/credentialing process.
• supervision will support you as you work through a range of issues with your clients and gives you an independent sounding board to explore your professional practice
• in the UK, some organisations require you to work with a supervisor if you are delivering coaching to their employees

Coaches Plus thoroughly recommends that all coaches work with a coach.  We have found that mentor coaching is extremely valuable in improving individual’s coaching skills and that supervision is extremely valuable in assisting coaches in addressing ethical and boundary issues.

What experience do I need?

This depends on who you are going to coach – essentially you need experience which is understood and valued by your potential clients. 

If you want to coach leaders, for example, it is useful to have leadership experience in the sector you want to work in.  Most coaches begin by working in the industry they have experience in.

So, how do I get started in coaching?

You can get started straight away – but you need to:

• set up effective business and financial arrangements and systems
• ensure you are complying with the laws which apply to you as a coach – one example is data protection
• identify your target market and get clients

You also need to make some decision about whether you will:

• train and who with
• join a professional body and identify a body bearing in mind your existing qualifications and experience

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