I got an email from a client who’s in coach training who wrote: “I’m becoming concerned about the controversy over coaching credentials. I read in a magazine an interview with a psychologist who has a coaching school who says coaching should become empirically-based have rigorous credentials, and require post-doctoral training. This would eliminate people like myself from the field.”
I’m hearing about the controversy too, because I try and stay abreast in my profession, because I market coaches, and also because I have a coaches’ training school. And I’ve communicated with another psychologist who trains coaches who says coaching credentials aren’t enough, even Ph.Ds. aren’t enough, he wants people who have actually been through what they’ll be coaching; actual life experience. In other words, if you’re a midlife career transition coach, you need to have been through a midlife career transition yourself.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A GOOD COACH?
Do you need a degree in the behavioral science or do you need to understand human nature? Do you have to have coaching credentials, or do you need to know how to motivate and support people to move ahead? Do you have to have a Ph.D. in coaching (now offered) or do you need to understand how to help people change? Do you have to belong to a coaching organization or do you need to know how to listen and how to ask the right questions? Do you have to have an MBA or do you need to have good emotional intelligence? Do you learn about life and living by reading books, or by experiences, or both?
We can expect those with vested interests in their own coaching programs to promote what they have to offer that’s unique. We can expect some “turf” protecting as well.
LEAVE YOUR CREDENTIALS AT THE DOOR?
Thomas Leonard, the founder of coaching, was always one to say “leave your credentials at the door,” and I miss his voice right now.
From my personal viewpoint, I liked the field of coaching because I saw it fit a need. It didn’t bother me it wasn’t regulated, because I’ve followed the field of psychology for 20+ years and have seen that licensing guarantees the person had what it takes to get licensed (whatever that is), but doesn’t guarantee they’ll be good at what they do, ethical, or anything else.
I have a master’s degree in clinical psychology and value what I’ve learned, but I’ve also seen people with just plain common sense and a talent for helping others who were great at working with other people, and people whose life experiences make them great resources and helpers. I like scientifically-based data but my own coach didn’t, and she provided a great service for me.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
When you go out looking for a coach, and it’s likely you will because they provide incredibly valuable services that are badly needed in today’s world, and they allow us not to have to “go it alone” any more, consider what you’re after, and take advantage of the sample coaching sessions all coaches offer. Use your noodle and also your intuition.
There are coaches with no college, and coaches with Ph.Ds. There are coaches who have coaching credentials, and coaches who don’t. Results should be the defining factor, and the “fit” between client and coach is what makes the difference.
Coaching is based on the premise that the client is healthy and high functioning and able to make their own decisions. So, if you’re shopping for a coach, get out there and look around. And if you’re a coach, make your opinion known … and keep learning all the time, no matter how you acquire it.
Susan Dunn, MA, Marketing Coach,
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