The Coaching Caravan

International Coaching Week (ICW) is a weeklong global celebration of the coaching profession held annually during the first full week in February.  It is a designated time each year for coaches and clients to educate the general public about the value of working with a professional coach and to acknowledge the results and progress made through the coaching process.  Coaches around the world offer a variety of activities and pro-bono services in their local communities to share what coaching has the ability to do.

We South Africans are known for our innovative approach and triggered by the annual challenge issued to us all by Madiba (Nelson Mandela) to contribute 67 minutes as a way to celebrate his birthday and with ICW 2011 in mind, in June 2010 Anne Heslop – a member of the Board of the Gauteng Chapter of ICF - shared her vision of how these two events could be brought together for maximum impact.  And so the Coaching Caravan was born! – “Making a difference in the lives of others, one coach, one person and one coaching conversation at a time!”

The dream was to mobilise as many coaches as possible in South Africa to give 1 hour of their time during International Coaching week, to coach a person who would not normally have access to coaching.  This was the way that we, as coaches, could spend the 67 minutes doing what we do best.

A Coaching Caravan logo and website was created and we invited both ICF and non ICF members to participate.  Sponsors were asked to register projects on the website and volunteers were asked to register with the project that appealed to them.  The ball was rolling.  And then the Coaching Caravan grew arms, feet and wings and became so much bigger than any of us could have imagined.

International provider of Webinars – WebEx a division of Cisco - made a generous donation of 2 weeks of their very sophisticated and successful webinar services over the period and with that came free calls and training for the facilitator of the service – that was me.  What was a dream for South Africa was within our reach and started to become a reality.

Nine very generous people from our community gave of their time and talent, hosting webinars on a variety of topics.  We were able to reach people not only in South Africa but also extended North beyond our borders to include other African cities as well as Singapore and New Zealand...  I was the recipient of the training as to how to operate the back end of the service and in a short time entered a steep learning curve that was challenging, exciting and stimulating.

To name just a few of the projects that benefited through the coaching offered by our volunteers aboard the  Coaching Caravan:

•  Coaching Matrics to Success;
• The Amy Biehl Foundation;
• Heartworks;
• Diepsloot Youth Projects; and
• Mothers2Mothers.

At one point I read on one of the social networking websites that coaches in the United States were thinking about what they could do for their clients in coaching week. 

I posted Anne’s vision:

International Coaching Week: Boarding the Coaching Caravan in Africa

When Monday dawns, the Coaching Caravan will be ‘pulling out’ for its epic pilgrimage around Sub-Saharan Africa with many, many excited, passionate travellers on board. We do believe in the potential for transformation in the lives of others through coaching and we want to write our collective signature on the potential of this awesome continent. One of the cornerstones of our profession is generosity, so we will give of ourselves and our skill warmly and abundantly, without any expectation, for this week.

A gentleman contacted me to enquire how we did this. I wasn’t sure what he meant and so he further explained that he tried something along those lines in his community but the coaches wanted to know what was in it for them in monetary terms.  This started a discussion among us.  The conclusion was that in countries where there was low unemployment and where things generally go well – people may have lost their compassion for one another.  This was so sad for me and on the other hand made me feel so proud of our country and our people. May we South Africans never lose our compassion for one another.

The Coaching Caravan was a huge success – I am sure the pebble (coaching conversations) that was thrown into the pond will continue to ripple through Africa for a long time to come.

We, ICF Gauteng Chapter, were nominated for an ICF Global award for the work we did during that week.  I had the privilege to travel to Las Vegas in September 2011 to receive this award.  This in itself was such an experience. I had the opportunity to share publicly in a forum of some 140 ICF leaders from over 50 countries, what we had done and to read aloud some of the testimonials from those who had benefitted.  There was such generosity in that room and I lost count of how many people came to me during the 4 days of conference, wanting to know how we did it and to express their admiration for what we had accomplished.

A young man from Japan came to me and said that he wanted to start a project like this working with people affected by the earth quake.  We have stayed in touch and I shared as much detail as I could about how we did this.  Their chapter is working hard to launch their first project this year.

I was also contacted by the Singapore Chapter and they too are starting their project this year.

How wonderful that a dream that started in South Africa, spread into Africa is starting to move into the rest of the world.  What a privilege it has been to be a part of this amazing journey.  It was only possible because more than 100 coaches gave generously of their time and talent during that week – and not just 1 hour.  Some coaches flew around the country at their own expense to touch the lives of fellow South Africans. How proud I am to be South African and to be part of a great nation. We have many problems AND we have people with huge hearts that open each year at the request of our esteemed and special leader – Nelson Mandela – and give in unique and unselfish ways.  As coaches we will again this year – 2012 – be climbing aboard the Coaching Caravan to continue “Making a difference in the lives of others, one coach, one person and one coaching conversation at a time!”

Anne-Marie Sevenster, Member ICF Gauteng Chapter.

ICF staff makes ripples

For the second year in a row, International Coach Federation staff members commemorated International Coaching Week by volunteering at locally-based International Book Project (IBP). 

IBP is a Lexington, Kentucky based nonprofit whose mission is to promote education and literacy while broadening Americans’ understanding of their neighbors by sending quality used books overseas. IBP sends more than 150,000 books to schools, libraries, churches, nonprofits, and Peace Corps volunteers in over 40 developing countries. Learn more about IBP.

ICF staffers at International Book Project

People from across the city, state, and nation donate books to IBP for their cause. Those books that are not able to be used overseas are stocked in the IBP bookstore that is open to the public. All proceeds from these books are put toward shipping costs of those books that do go overseas. ICF staffers sorted through boxes of books and worked to stock the shelves of the bookstore.

This was a most fitting end to International Coaching Week—and so fulfilling for staff members to get out of the office to help the community, and the world. Check out the IBP blog to see the kind of impact their organization has on the world.

Your Coaching Business Can Thrive In Any Economy

“Have you ever had down times in your business?”

“During downtimes, what kind of mindset did you need to have in order to not be distracted or derailed by the negatives?”

“What do you think is the most important thing a coach needs to do to sustain himself or herself in the coaching business?”

These are all questions I asked 11 established coaches, nine of whom are ICF-Master Certified Coaches, for Inspired and Prosperous: 11 World-renowned Coaches Reveal Their Success and Sustainability Secrets – my book that launched during International Coaching Week.

In honor of International Coaching Week, through Feb. 19, 30% of all Amazon Kindle and paperback proceeds will be donated to Coaching The Global Village, a nonprofit that teaches coaching and leadership skills to grassroots leaders in under-developed communities around the globe, in order that these leaders might ignite significant and lasting possibilities in their worlds.

So, what made me write this book? It was the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009. I watched in silent horror as I lost a five-figure corporate contract. As an ICF Chapter President, I found that many of my fellow coaches experienced the same fate. That led me to query: how do coaches who have been in business for more than 10 years make it through this volatile economy and other tough times in the past? What kind of marketing activities bring them consistent results? How do they decide on which business-building strategies to adopt when there are so many to choose from?

My inquiry led me to these 11 coaches who very generously shared with me intimate details of their business journeys – the ups and downs, the good, the bad and the ugly. What I learned from them is priceless, and I wanted to share these insights with my fellow coaches and as many out there as possible. This wish gave birth to the Inspired and Prosperous book.

Whether you are a Life, Business or Executive Coach who wants been-there insights on how to succeed in a volatile economy like this, or an established coach who is thinking of taking on credentialing and wondering if you need it to succeed, this book is for you. To learn more, visit http://www.inspiredandprosperousbook.com.

Like the other blog writers here, I am deeply honored to be part of this profession. It is one of those vocations that can positively revolutionalize the world. My wish for you, dear coach, is that you will access the wisdom, knowledge and priceless insights that these master-level coaches reveal so that you can have a business that outlasts any tough times. Because our world needs you to serve the best of what is possible – right now.

Duanna Pang-Dokland is a Certified Coach who started her coaching business without knowing a single soul when she moved to America from Singapore. An ICF Chapter Past President, she works with coaches, entrepreneurs and corporate executives to design inspired and prosperous businesses they love. Connect with her at http://ignitingpossibility.com. 

Coaching - the wonderful world-changing web

In celebration of International Coaching Week (February 5-11), a different guest blog post was highlighted on the ICF blog each day this week. This is the final in this special series.

How many coaches do you know who have directly helped lift whole families out of deep poverty?  That is Martin Baldwin, an inspiration for ICW, epitomising the best that coaching can achieve.

Martin Baldwin

Martin and his wife Ruth set up the charity Cosecha (‘Harvest’ in Spanish) in Guatemala in 1998. ‘Life education’ is its hub: educating children and ensuring their families have the wherewithal to support them through the programme, be it ensuring they are fed, have somewhere to do their homework, or providing emotional support.

So where does coaching come in? Martin started coaching Estuardo after he ‘failed’ as an administrator at Cosecha where, paradoxically, he behaved arrogantly and stubbornly, yet was unable to take initiative or be proactive – the latter typical of the local culture of deference to the boss.

Martin asked questions unheard of by a man brought up in poverty by a poor single, Mayan mother. Where do you want to be in 10 years? What are your hopes and dreams?  Poor children say they dream of becoming a lawyer, but they know it’s pie in the sky. Martin asked Estuardo about ideas he could turn into reality. Using the ‘Celebration of Life’ model Martin eventually enabled Estuardo to conceive of a fulfilling life in a culture where he had no home of his own, no social security and a limited support network; to develop realistic goals and self-confidence based on his own hitherto unrecognised values, gifts and skills.

Estuardo discovered he is ‘a people person’: good at respecting, teaching them, and building relationships. He understands these ‘Western’ values whilst remaining true to his own culture.

After Martin returned to the UK in 2007, he put his trust in Estuardo, by now his Guatemalan deputy, and appointed him the charity’s local Director.

Estuardo is responsible for:

• A team of six Guatemalans, of disadvantaged Mayan descent;
• The educational programme of 35 students. (Cosecha’s philosophy is to support them through to completion, which could be for as long as 14 years);
• A commitment to their families of the means to sustain the child through their education; and
• A £40,000 annual budget, in a country where a qualified teacher earns £100-£120 per month.

As a result of Cosecha’s work there are already five families who will never be poor again - four running their own businesses, the largest employing eight people. Each month Estuardo impacts the lives of 300 people in impoverished Tecpan.

 

Estuardo and a lot of happy, smiling faces

Martin continues to coach Estuardo – visiting twice a year, talking for two to three hours weekly on Skype, emailing between calls. And I coach Martin…helping him to see where his gifts are best employed in continuing support of Estuardo, Cosecha and the people of Guatemala.

I met Martin in a sleepy English town. Little did I imagine when I offered pro-bono coaching how it fitted into this wonderful world-changing web...

It’s hard to do this story justice in 500 words! Read more, or please donate, at Cosecha's website.

Caroline Talbott

Caroline Talbott coaches and develops leaders, especially those who have had success in a profession (eg lawyers, chartered surveyors, engineers, HR specialists) and then moved into a leadership role. 
Professionals in Leadership blog
Caroline Talbott - catalyst for change
Twitter: @CaroCatalyst

Debts, hope and a new era

“Looking back, you can usually find the moment of the birth of a new era, whereas, when it happened, it was one day hooked on to the tail of another.”

John Steinbeck wrote this in 1954 in his short novel Sweet Thursday. As Steve Jobs apparently said “You can only join the dots looking backwards” Or in the words of the great philosopher Jon Bon Jovi “In my rear view mirror, my life is getting clearer.”

Well, it seems pretty clear to me that we are at the birth of a new era. The world is waking up and changing. Social, financial and environmental issues are front and centre. It’s pretty clear we are all in it together. And that no-one knows the outcome. But knowing that the dots will join up looking backwards has been a great reassurance to me. So far, it has been true that whilst there have been many fearful, dark and unpleasant periods, somehow it has all worked out, and with sufficient distance it all makes sense.

So, whatever is happening now I believe will work out. But who knows? Time will tell. Views from economists, politicians and bar room philosophers abound. Generally, the consensus is that it will be messy. The shift from dependence, to independence (held glorious and the ultimate destination by many in the West), to interdependence, has been written about for millennia and looks likely to me. But what’s at the heart of this change and flux – driving it forwards as the source of the problem and the source of the answer? Something deeper. Something human. Joining Steinbeck again in 1954 in the same chapter:

“Where does discontent start? You are warm enough, but you shiver. You are fed, yet hunger gnaws you. You have been loved, but your yearning wanders in new fields. And to prod all these there’s time, the bas***d Time. The end of life is now not so terribly far away – you can see it the way you see the finish line when you come into the stretch – and your mind says, “Have I worked enough? Have I eaten enough?” All of these, of course, are the foundation of man’s greatest curse, and perhaps his greatest glory. “What has my life meant so far, and what can it mean in the time left to me?” And we are coming to the wicked, poisoned dart: “What have I contributed in the Great Ledger? What am I worth?” And this isn’t vanity or ambition. Men seem to be born with a debt they can never pay, no matter how hard they try. It piles up ahead of them. Man owes something to man. If he ignores the debt it poisons him, and if he tries to make payments the debt only increases, and the quality of the gift is the measure of the man.”

There are some great coaching questions in here. And brilliant insights. We overwork. We over-consume. And still we are not happy - it gnaws us. And there are countries now and a generation being born with financial debts they will never pay. But John of course was writing of the social and the spiritual. Our sense of meaning, purpose, connection, giving. I have heard many coaches driven and inspired by seeking answers to these questions, and the development it draws forth, for themselves and the people they work with – and a great sense of wanting to give back.

In this, International Coaching Week, we are called to go out into the world to do just that. Perhaps we can walk into the messiness, knowing somehow it will all work out. That we can provide a sacred space for people to address their fundamental questions, to let go of things held essential throughout lives and by the passing culture. To find answers that truly work and bring joy, fulfilment and a bright future. Them and us. Together. Learning and growing. Because we want to give. And so we receive. We build the debt of love and kindness between us, each owing in equal measure, that brings us consciously to interdependence and the receiving that brings. Because it is only with and through others - with us, around us, before us and yet to be born - that our lives truly make sense.

Neil Scotton, PCC

Neil Scotton, PCC  
Co-Founder   The One Leadership Project

M: +44 (0) 7834 766 408   T: +44 (0) 1737 243 589
Skype: neil.scotton1   Tw: OneLeadership   www.enablingcatalysts.com



Celebrate!

Last November, when I had the honor of being asked to be one of the guest writers for International Coaching Week on this blog, I got really, really excited, unable to foresee the challenging situation I would find myself in when the time to write this piece came.

You see, for me, International Coaching Week is all about celebration. We celebrate our profession and its value through all kind of activities like workshops, presentations, and pro-bono sessions, educating the general public and giving back to community at the same time.

Yet, in the week when I needed to be in this festive mood the most, my mother was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition.

At the same time the situation in my country was seriously challenging my optimism.

With the deadline for the blog post approaching, I found myself in the corridors of the public hospital with my laptop on my knees, dealing with feelings of fear at the possibility of losing my mother and of despair and uncertainty about the future of my country.

How could I write this article? It just seemed impossible to shift into the mood required. Or was it?

Part of our job as a coach is to challenge our clients to reframe situations, to shift perspectives and find something positive even in the most challenging circumstances. Part of my life has been to challenge myself and overcome what seems impossible.

So here it is - I am challenging myself to be in a festive mood and find the best reasons to celebrate:

• We are members of a community (ICF) in the service of helping humanity flourishing.
• We are 20,159 strong and we are growing! The 20,000th member registered on February 1.
• We have the privilege to be in a profession that focuses on values. We help our clients reconnect with their values and drive a meaningful life.
• We are change agents; we facilitate positive transformation.
• We are witnesses of this positive transformation, we watch our clients flourish and we grow together with them.
• We are in a profession of shifting perspectives!

On a more personal level, I celebrate my commitment to a profession which I love, to a profession that I feel passionate about and is in the service of what I care about most: people.

Yes, there is always something to feel good about, to feel proud of and grateful for. Something to keep us motivated and inspired; something to celebrate!

Katerina Kanelidou, ACC

So, my fellow coaches around the globe: what do we / you have to celebrate this very special week and every other week?

Katerina Kanelidou, ACC, is founder of Creative Empowerment, specializing in leadership coaching and team development. She is a member of the 2012 ICF Global Conference Steering Committee and co-chair of the marketing subcommittee. Katerina loves connecting with people, so feel free to connect with her on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

Getting your act together and taking it on the road

When I joined the newly founded ICF association in 1999, and was awarded the MCC designation, I was part of a small elite group of pioneers who shared a vision of what might be possible if more people had access to coaching.

Over the past twelve years, my vision for what is possible using coaching has deepened. ICF has grown from a few thousand coaches to more than 20,000 members worldwide. To witness such huge growth in a new profession is inspiring. To be part of a community is a natural drive for us (mammals); I am grateful for the many opportunities ICF provides to encourage the expansion of ideas, theories and practices.

A year ago I started a Special Interest Group to focus on the integration of energy work and coaching. By providing a platform for coaches who were also learning to use alternative/complimentary healing with their current coaching modalities I felt that we would benefit from sharing our varied learning approaches, as well as increase our confidence and skill to promote how we can better bridge “current” coaching techniques with energy work to serve our business and life coaching clients.

To celebrate International Coaching Week, we have an opportunity to get our acts together and take it on the road. I’m asking Energy Work & Coaching SIG members to take the risk and offer one business or corporate client the chance to experience your “healing” skills. With your longer-term clients, it is much easier to ask them to try something new or different because you already have the relationship in place. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to ask. Don’t be attached to the outcome. Be curious and joyful as you give yourself permission to bring more of yourself to the coaching session.

I’m offering pro- bono healer coaching sessions next week, in particular working with several “trauma” cases, because that is an area that intrigues me. These clients are cynical about energy work but they are suffering enough from their traumas that they are willing to try anything to stop the pain. I will tread lightly, build their trust and confidence and take them step-by-step so that they can pace themselves with the combined modalities. I know I have the big guns ready, but often people who are new to alternative approaches need baby steps to start. Unless the client is hemorrhaging on the floor in front of you, baby steps work big magic.

Rhona Post, MCC

What we do matters! That’s why we became coaches. Please use the International Coaching Week to take what you know on the road.

For more information on the Energy Work & Coaching SIG please contact Rhona at rhonapost@gmail.com or call +1.941.554.8466 to set up your healer coaching session.

Rhona Post, MA MCC
The Healer Coach, LLC
Sarasota, FL, USA
+1.941.554.8466

I Care For: People in Conflict

In celebration of International Coaching Week (February 5-11), a different guest blog post will be highlighted on the ICF blog each day this week. This is the first in this special series.

Though it is inevitable to have disagreements in both our personal and professional lives, many of us do not have the skills to effectively engage in conflicts that may emerge. What may start as a difference of opinion for instance, can escalate unnecessarily into a harsh exchange that is full of blame and hurt. Unresolved and poorly-managed disputes can also linger after they are ostensibly over. When this happens, the words and feelings expressed remain as remnants that hang on us and shroud the next dispute and the one after that and on and on.

Conflicts happen for many reasons, including the fact that we have values and needs in our lives that we feel strongly about. It may even be a perceived challenge to how we see ourselves and want to be seen by others. That is, when we become defensive, we are defending something important to us. At these times, when we are offended by something another person says or does, we often react -  in offensive ways  - and perpetuate the cycle of conflict. We lose our perspective about what is important to us and also, what may be important to the other person. Conflict takes a toll in a range of other ways too. The emotional repercussions cause stress for us and those around us and have an impact on our problem-solving skills and abilities, our creativity, decision-making and our way of interacting and being.

A typical scenario that I encounter in my coaching work recently occurred for a former colleague who is aware of my speciality – conflict management coaching. She shared her deep concerns about the conflict-saturated dynamics among members of a Board - of which she is one. The group have apparently been at an impasse regarding some major decisions over the past six months, and their individual and collective well-meaning intentions are suffering due to the in-fighting.  My colleague said that the constant internal and interpersonal disputes among the members are apparently causing some stakeholders to question the Board’s effectiveness. She added that the members have built walls around them - and we are ‘up against a wall.’ 

What does this have to do with Coaching Week? To celebrate, I have volunteered to help out the Board by using my conflict management coaching skills and also, the coach-approach to mediation that I developed. Together we have just framed the objectives. They are to help the Board members break down the walls, to better understand the dynamics that lead to their conflicts (as to proactively consider how to handle future challenges that may occur), to establish a process for making decisions in collaborative ways and to get on with the important work of fulfilling their mandate. We start at the beginning of Coaching Week - on February 6, 2012.

Cinnie Noble ACC, LL.B, LL.M (ADR),  is a lawyer-mediator and certified coach, specializing in conflict management coaching. She hosts ICF’s Conflict Management Coaching Special Interest Group and is a former Board Member of ICF-Greater Toronto Area. Cinnie is the author of “Conflict Management Caoching:The CINERGY Model” (September, 2011) http://www.tinyurl.com/conflictcoaching/ and co-author with Ed Modell and Diane Brennan, of the chapter entitled Conflict Management in the book “The Handbook of Knowledge-Based  Coaching:From Theory to Practice” (John Wiley and Sons, 2011),  by Leni Wildflower and Diane Brennan. Cinnie’s website is www.cinergycoaching.com.

Exercising your ethics muscle

How often are you taking the time to exercise your ethics muscle by reflecting on your coaching against a code of ethics? During International Coaching Week (ICW), 7-13 February 2011, coaches from around the world took part in the ICF Pan-European Ethics call to do just that.

ICW takes place in February every year and exists to promote the coaching profession and educate the general public about the value of working with a professional coach. These activities also focus on the coach and their development, like the ICF Pan-European Ethics call.

As you read this, what may occur to you is what does a ‘professional coach’ mean? For a start, it can mean that we have clear contracts with our clients, ensure confidentiality and no conflicts of interest and exemplify professional conduct of the highest standards. Reading the ICF Code of Ethics, you find these concepts are elaborated on so that, as a coach, you know what the expectations of a ‘professional coach’ look like in practice. This is particularly important as many of the dilemmas we experience with our clients and the organisations we work with can often be traced back to ethics.

When we experience an ethical dilemma, a toned ethics muscle enables a repertoire of responses and facilitates agility in choosing among them. A ‘repertoire of responses’ is apt as there is often no right or wrong answer. Also, as individuals we have to be congruent with how we are in these moments. It’s a very individual experience – all the more reason to take advantage of opportunities to debate these dilemmas amongst peers.

A toned ethics muscle instils professionalism in what we do. It enables us to build trust with our clients. It differentiates us in the marketplace. It allows us to understand what is important to us, our own boundaries and what we are willing and not willing to do.

To give your ethics muscle a workout in a confidential and non-judgemental space, join the ICF Pan-European Ethics calls. They will take place on 4th May, September and December. More information can be found at http://www.coachfederation.org.uk/pd_programme.phtml.

These calls are ICF members only, to become a member of the ICF, go to http://www.coachfederation.org/join-icf/.

Written by Barbara Babcock (member of UK ICF)Owner at b2c2 - Barbara Babcock Coaching & Consulting - Executive coaching for corporates, charities and individuals specialising in career and inter-cultural/ expatriate coaching.

A most fitting close to International Coaching Week

Some of the ICF Staff

In honor of International Coaching Week, staff members from ICF Headquarters spent this morning volunteering at the locally based International Book Project (IBP).

IBP is an “international nonprofit whose mission is to promote education and literacy while broadening Americans’ understanding of their neighbors by sending quality used books overseas. Each year, IBP sends more than 150,000 books to schools, libraries, churches, nonprofits and Peace Corps volunteers in over 40 developing countries.” (Read more about their work here: http://www.intlbookproject.org).



Packing boxes!



After a brief orientation, we spent the morning locating and boxing books that will be sent to the Philippines. These books, primarily being sent to students in grades 8-12, ranged in topic from algebra to biology and literature to health. Once we finished this, we went on to sorting books that had recently come into the warehouse.

It was a great opportunity for our staff—and so fulfilling to know that these books will benefit children around the world. Check out the IBP blog to see firsthand the kind of impact IBP has in the world: http://intlbookproject.wordpress.com/.

From our office to yours, Happy International Coaching Week!

Coaching research for coaching week

You might be hosting an event this week where having recent coaching research will prove beneficial. Or maybe you aren’t. Either way, we have compiled some of the top findings from the Global Consumer Awareness Study* into a single listing. Read over it. Print it out. Use it. Share it.

How aware are people of professional coaching?

• More than half of all respondents (51 percent) were generally aware of coaching. This includes those who indicated they were either “very aware” (12 percent) or “somewhat aware” (39 percent). General awareness varied by country from a high of 92 percent in South Africa to a low of 20 percent in Germany.

• When probed, nearly half (49 percent) of all respondents who indicated they were unaware of coaching, did in fact have an understanding of professional coaching.

Why are people involved in a coaching relationship?
• More than two-fifths (42.6 percent) of respondents who had experienced coaching chose “optimize individual and/or team performance” as their motivation for being coached. This reason ranked highest followed by “expand professional career opportunities” (38.8 percent) and “improve business management strategies” (36.1 percent). “Increase self-esteem/self-confidence” and “manage work/life balance” rated fourth and fifth to round out the top five motivation areas.

How satisfied are those who have been coached?
• Satisfaction levels are very high (83 percent) among those who have been involved in a coaching relationship, 36 percent of which were “very satisfied.” The level of satisfaction rises even higher to 92 percent among those with an ICF Credentialed coach, 55 percent of which were “very satisfied.”

How likely are people to recommend coaching to others?
• As a whole, those who have been coached gave a mean advocacy score of 7.5 (out of 10) in terms of their likeliness to recommend coaching. Overall, 31 percent of those who had been coached indicated that they were “extremely likely” to recommend. Advocacy was even higher for those who had an ICF Credentialed coach—45 percent were “extremely likely to advocate coaching to others.

How important are certifications/credentials for coaches?
• 84 percent of respondents who had been in a coaching relationship considered certification/credentials important. Even among those who indicated they were not aware of the coaching profession or the ICF, 83 percent considered credentials or certifications important for professional coaches to have.

• More than two in five respondents (44 percent) knew if their coach had a certification/credential.

What demographic is most attuned to coaching?
• Of the four age groups analyzed in this study, the youngest segment (ages 25–34) had the highest rate of awareness of coaching (57 percent), highest awareness of the ICF (26 percent) and highest levels of satisfaction with their coaching experience (85 percent). The level of satisfaction of this age group with an ICF Credentialed coach was higher again with 92 percent satisfied; more than half (55 percent) stating they were “very satisfied.”

*The Global Consumer Awareness Study surveyed 15,000 individuals (aged 25 and older) from 20 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America.

This Coaching Week – Can coaching help bring peace on earth and goodwill to all people?

It’s coaching week! In some ways it seems to me it’s a bit like Christmas in the coaching profession–a time when we go out into the world, bearing (our) gifts and bringing a message (and method) of goodwill for all people.

Perhaps you are doing something for Coaching Week? If you are, I hope you have much joy and success with it. I’m mindful of the words of two people I admire; Martin Bell, a former BBC correspondent who saw more war zones and troubled situations than perhaps it’s fair for anyone to see, who said “Good things happen because we make them happen, bad things happen because we allow them to.” I hope that whatever you are doing, it’s helping more people to make good things happen. And that dear friend of collectors of wisdoms and quotes, Winston Churchill, with his “We make a living from what we get. We make a life from what we give.” I hope that through your sharing your gift of coaching you are receiving not just a living, but a fuller life.

And I’m also mindful of sometimes how hard it is to take coaching out into the world. Including the difficulty explaining something as intangible as coaching. I recently came across this wonderful video of a coach openly, honestly, and humorously struggling to say what he does–http://www.nicaskew.com/commission/coach/ FILM EXAMPLE THREE

‘INTANGIBLY INARTICULATABLE’. I’ve been trying to help ICF Bulgaria raise awareness of coaching in their country–so we’ve put together a series of masterclasses, where coaches and people in the profession are beamed from around the world into a videosuite in Sofia. Coaching someone live by webcam as they sit in front of a large audience is definitely an experience! But it’s working well–membership up 300% since the series launched two months ago and monies coming in to enable them to do great works. It seems that giving people the experience of coaching is more effective than talking about it.

And even so I’m still wondering what it is that’s at the heart of what we bring. I love the line in Nic Askew’s video– “A truly honest conversation.” For me that comes close, and it certainly is a gift to bring to most peoples lives.

And these words from an article in The Times of 1st February 2011 are ringing in my ears: “One Royal Marine officer active in Iraq asked “What could we do differently?” was told time and time again: “ You could start by just listening.” He said that the most effective tactic was to do just that.

As coaches this is at the heart of what we do in the world. If there is a profession that can help bring more listening into lives, it’s us.

So there you have it. Coaching can indeed help to bring peace on earth.

Have a Happy Coaching Week.

And just to say–for all those currently in the news in their struggles for democracy, fairness and a future for their children, and for all those affected by the natural disasters, I hope I can speak on behalf of many in our global community to say you are very much in our thoughts, and we are there for you if you need us.

Neil Scotton, PCC, February 2011

Top 5 things you can do with little to no planning this week

So here we are…International Coaching Week (ICW) 2011 is finally here! To celebrate, there are coaches across the world doing different things throughout the week to show coaching to their communities.

Maybe ICW snuck up on you this year. Don’t fret! You can still do something this week to commemorate the weeklong celebration. And it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. In fact, we have a few relatively painless options for you to consider:

1) Offer specials. People love deals—perhaps you can offer your existing clients a discount on your services. It doesn’t have to be during this week per se, but maybe something you offer through the month of February. This special can be anything; the possibilities are absolutely endless! Examples: two coaching hours for the price of one, etc.

And you don’t have to limit this to your existing clients. You could create a special for those clients who sign with you in February.

2) Make time for networking. Many ICF Chapters are hosting events during ICW—from standard chapter meetings with guest speakers to single day workshops and multi-day conferences. If you aren’t already, plan to take part in whatever your local chapter has planned for ICW2011. If your local chapter doesn’t have anything planned, connect with other members to start brainstorming ideas for ICW2012!

Nearest chapter too far away to attend regularly? If it is within reasonable driving distance, take time out to go to their next meeting to network with peers. If that is not an option, take a look at upcoming Virtual Education sessions and add one to your calendar.

3) Give your business a once-over. Take time during this special week to better your practice. You know there are things on your to-do list that you want to check off—set aside designated time this week to do these things! For some it could be designing new business cards or taking a good hard look at your marketing plan. For others, it could be revising your pricing scale or starting a blog. Whatever it is, take time out to do it!

4) Gather testimonials. ICW isn’t only about your current or future clients. Make it about your past clients! Nothing can make a business more credible than through the use of client testimonials. Reach out to those you have coached in the past and ask them to provide a testimonial you can use in your upcoming marketing initiatives or on your website.

5) Volunteer locally. There is nothing more satisfying than the feeling that you have helped someone else. As a coach, you get to experience that sort of fulfillment on a regular basis. Reach beyond your comfort zone and volunteer some time at a local organization. The best part? There is truly something for everyone when it comes to volunteering. Want to work with animals? Check a local Humane Society. Want to work with kids? Talk to a local school or adoption agency. Want to use your hands? Check out Habitat for Humanity. And these are just three ideas! Opportunities are only limited by your imagination*!

*Note: ICF Headquarters is holding a Day of Service later this week in honor of ICW. Staff members are volunteering at locally based International Book Project. Check the blog on Friday for an update on the Day of Service.

Happy International Coaching Week!

I Care For…tell the world during International Coaching Week!

As a coach, we know that one of the things you care for is the coaching profession-at-large. And in just a few weeks, you can share it with your community.

Founded in the late 1990s as a way for coaches—regardless of geographic location—to celebrate the coaching profession, International Coaching Week (ICW) is a weeklong opportunity for you to share what you care for with the world! Traditionally, it is held annually the first full week of February and is celebrated by coaches and clients alike.

Through the years, people have celebrated ICW is numerous fashions…from offering pro bono coaching services to planning and executing multi-day conferences. Regardless of how it is celebrated, its main objective is to educate the public about the value of working with a coach and all that can be accomplished through a coaching partnership.

That said…how do you plan to celebrate ICW 2011? The possibilities are endless—your imagination is really your only barrier. Still stuck? Run through these questions to find something that works the best for you:

• What kind of availability do you have during ICW? This will determine what kind of project you can take on.
• Will you be working alone or will you have a team? ICW is a great way to involve your entire chapter or colleagues who live in your community.
• What kind of message do you want to share? The kind of message you share will determine how you go about sharing it. A few message examples: “Coaching works! Here’s why…” or “Coaching is…” or “Coaching is not…”
• What is the most beneficial way you can share coaching with those in your community? Think through different options you may have…if you have the opportunity to rent out a local café, perhaps hosting a speed coaching event would suit you well. Or if you are working alone, maybe you can offer pro bono coaching hours to people in your community. Or maybe you can offer special rates to those who sign a coaching contract with you during ICW.
• How will you market your event? The size and scale of your event will truly determine the kind of marketing you need to take on. The only key in marketing and event is to not wait until the last minute! Start planning now to give yourself plenty of time.

Learn more about ICW at Coachfederation.org/coachingweek.

Don’t forget, if you want to be eligible to win one of several great prizes, there is still time to share what you care for! Submit your video or written message here by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2010 and your name will be included in the drawing. Learn more.