Guide to Becoming A Professional Coach
Becoming a Professional Coach: Our Introductory Guide
Becoming a professional coach is an exciting journey that involves a combination of training, real-world coaching experience, and optional certification with a professional coaching body. If you're considering this path, here's our introductory guide:
Your Why: Defining Your Motivation
Before embarking on the journey to become a professional coach, it's important to understand your "why." Reflect on what drives you. Are you a good listener? Do you thrive on supporting others? Understanding your motivations will not only fuel your journey but also help you connect more deeply with your clients.
It's a Journey: Embrace the Process
Becoming a professional coach is not an overnight transformation. It requires time, dedication, and a commitment to personal and professional growth. Commit yourself and enjoy the process—training in a new discipline can be a lot of fun, and you'll likely meet like-minded individuals who share your passion for coaching. Embrace each step as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Choose Your Training: Finding the Right Programme
Selecting the right training programme is a crucial step and it is worth doing some research to find the right training provider for you. You should check that your training provider is accredited by a recognised coaching body such as International Coaching Federation (ICF) or European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). These coaching bodies set rigorous standards for coach training and excellence. Depending on your location, budget, and preferences, you can choose between online or face-to-face training. Typically, coach training involves learning fundamental coaching skills, practicing these skills with other trainees, and receiving feedback from experienced coaches.
Some of the most popular global training providers include:
• Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
• International Coach Academy (ICA)
• Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
Most training providers offer introductory courses to cover the basics, and more advanced programs that provide the mandatory training hours that are later required to apply for certification with a professional coaching body.
On average, full coach training programmes require around 125 to 200 classroom hours. This includes live training sessions, self-study, and supervised coaching practice.
The cost of these full coach training programmes can vary by provider however you can expect to invest in the region of $500 - $1500 on your introductory training, and between $4000 - $8000 for an advanced full programme.
Certification: Enhancing Your Credibility
Certification with a professional coaching body is an important consideration once you have completed your coach training. Though certification is not mandatory it provides additional credibility and validates your commitment to coaching. The certification process typically involves completing a specified number of real-world coaching hours, passing an assessment, and demonstrating your coaching proficiency.
Some of the most recognised certification bodies include:
• International Coach Federation (ICF)
• European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)
Certification not only boosts your credentials and experience, but it also offers social proof to your clients that you have invested in your coaching career. As with any other profession, your level of experience and training will likely factor into the fees that you ultimately charge your clients.
Coaching Hours: Gaining Real-World Experience
Once you begin your training, start coaching as soon as possible. Offer free coaching to friends or acquaintances or charge a minimal rate. It's essential to gain real-world experience with different types of people and to learn about your own unique coaching style. Be transparent with your clients that you are a coach in training; this sets the right expectations and provides you with valuable feedback.
As you gain more experience and obtain further training or certification, you can gradually increase your coaching rates. Aim to conduct longer sessions, such as 45 minutes to an hour, as these are more typical in professional coaching scenarios compared to the shorter sessions often practiced during training.
Other Considerations: Building Your Coaching Practice
After completing your training and building up your coaching hours, consider how much time you want to dedicate to coaching. Whether full-time or part-time, creating a strategy for securing clients is crucial. This may include developing a business plan, building a website, and becoming comfortable with marketing and selling your services. Networking and leveraging social media can also be effective ways to attract clients, as well as listing your services on coach directories including Coachtap.
Finally: Good Luck on Your Coaching Journey!
In summary, becoming a professional coach involves a combination of training, real-world experience, and optional certification. Reflect on your motivations, embrace the process, choose the right training programme, gain extensive coaching experience, and plan your practice strategy. Good luck on your journey to becoming a professional coach—it's a rewarding path that can have a profound impact on both your life and the lives of the people you coach.