I’m certifiable!
Right before Covid in February, I decided to become a certified coach. I’m a lifelong learner and invested in a 6-month course from the Colorado-based Coach Training Alliance. I successfully passed my exam this week.
By the Numbers
A lot transpired for me within 6 months. I read, listened, fumbled, got aggravated, learned, and met great fellow coaches. Today I rolled up the numbers; it’s my data brain kicking in.
- 1 certification
- 10 participant coaches from Canada, Egypt, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and the US in weekly conference calls
- 22 weeks of classes
- 30 coaching sessions with me being the coach and mentorship
- 468-page virtual textbook assigned for 1-4 hours weekly homework
LinkedIn has 26,413 people with “career coach” in their job titles. According to a report published by the International Coach Federation (ICF) in partnership with Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC), it’s estimated that there are 47,500 professional coaches worldwide. Those numbers seem low to me. How about you? Maybe I’m too close to what I do.
Coach Defined
Harvard Business Review surveyed 140 leading coaches and invited 5 experts to comment on the findings. The top 3 reasons executive coaches are engaged as follows:
- 48% Develop high potential or facilitate a transition
- 26% Act as a sounding board
- 12% Address derailing behavior
Further, “The right match is absolutely key to the success of a coaching experience. Without it, the trust required for optimal executive performance will not develop.”
Why Certification?
I’ve been a tech executive career consultant and volunteer career advocate at Dress for Success in Austin and Seattle for over three years. I enjoy helping people find their True North when it comes to their careers.
I first became familiar with executive coaches when I worked at Sprint. Not that I had one, but the executives I reported to did. These internal coaches were highly regarded.
After my early retirement, I volunteered as a career coach and then pivoted to becoming an executive career consultant. I felt that by attaining this certification, I would be of more value to my clients. It’s already come in handy.
Becoming an accountability partner helps me co-create with clients towards the change they see for themselves in their career transition.
My Clients
My clients come from intriguing backgrounds from around the globe. It’s virtual mind traveling with clients from Africa, Australia, Bosnia, China, India, Israel, Peru, Romania, Taiwan, UK, Ukraine, Vietnam, and the US. It’s fascinating to learn about their childhood and what brought them to the US.
They are not the usual suspects since I’m fortunate to curate my collaboration partners.
Their executive titles are alphabet soup: CEO, CIO, CISO, CMO, COO, CPO, CRO, CSO, CTO, GM, and VP. Then there are directors, managers, and heads of groups aspiring to the next stage.
For my volunteering, I’ve coached primarily outside of tech. I’ve met fashionistas, women waiting on work visas, new college grads, formerly incarcerated, and women returning to the workforce after raising children.
I enjoy our discussions since everyone has a passion for making a significant impact. It’s the common thread. Not money, not title, merely making a difference and leaving a legacy.
I learn something new every time I coach or consult with a client. It reminds me that you should do what you love. I do, do you? If not, it might be time to move on. Perhaps become certifiable like me?
Land your dream job, you deserve it!
