I’m leaving aside the impact on how my profession is perceived caused by the presence and activity of people who call themselves coaches or label what they offer as coaching. Their presence and activity, it must be said, is often loud and highly publicized, reaching a wide audience and shaping a misleading image of coaching.
The influence of the professional coaching community on this phenomenon is limited, since from a legal perspective, nothing defines the scope and standards of a coach’s work – resulting, in practice, in a true Wild West in the field of coaching. What seems reasonable, and what we do within our professional circles, is to promote a true image of coaching – one carried out by professionals.
Working with a Coach – What to Watch For and How to Recognize a True Professional
Above all, professionals always act with the best interest of the client in mind. Part of this approach includes a commitment to transparency regarding the quality of services offered. One way to provide reliable and verifiable information is through various certifications – led by international organizations such as the International Coaching Federation and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
These institutions set clear standards for practicing the profession, as well as define a code of ethics, which is always essential when working with people. That is why the certifications and accreditations they issue are so valuable – they provide confirmation that a coach has agreed to and must adhere to the shared professional standards. Standards that are common to thousands of professional coaches worldwide who meet the criteria.
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Levels of Experience: ICF Certifications in Practice
Here, it’s important to pay attention and check what type of certification a coach holds – each one indicates a different level of experience.
For example, there are preparatory coaching courses accredited by ICF – marked with the abbreviations ACTP or ACSTH – which include about 60 hours of training. This is the first step for a coach who has chosen the ICF path of professional development, meaning that such a coach is at the beginning of their journey. Choosing their services can be suitable if you are looking for a transactional approach to your issues; you can also usually expect a lower price for the service.
The next levels, which are the proper professional accreditation levels issued by ICF – ACC, PCC, MCC – require a much greater commitment and investment in the coach’s own professional development for those who choose to continue on this path.
I will explain the individual levels another time; in the meantime, their descriptions are always available on the official International Coaching Federation website.
I hope this brief introduction helps you better navigate the topic and serves as a good starting point for your further journey.