What do you care for?

What is your coaching helping? ICF members have shared that they see themselves not only as part of the ICF community, but also part of something much greater.

Coaches have a desire to support their personal practice and clients, the ICF both locally and on a global level and to make a larger impact in the world. As a community, ICF members can amplify the impact we have on each other and society.

At the ICF Annual International Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, USA the I Care For campaign was launched this week. I Care For offers every ICF member the chance to share with the membership and the world at-large what they care for and why.

What are some members saying?

Giovanna D'Alessio, MCC (Italy)
I care for transforming the culture of our society. Because if we don't move quickly to a culture of self-
responsibility, wholeness, unity, respect, fairness, we just won't have any society to pass on to our future
generations.

Tom Hatton, MCC (Ireland)
I care for relationship. As everybody and everything is in constant relationship. As human beings we define ourselves the way we are in relationship.

Share what you care for by participating in ICF’s I Care For campaign. There are several ways to show what you care for, including responding on this blog, tweeting on Twitter (just use #icfcare) or submitting your YouTube clip. Visit ICFICareFor.org for information on more ways to share!

More Highlights from the ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study

New ICF study pinpoints reasons for consumer use of coaching

According to the ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, professional coaching is being used to help people around the world improve work performance, expand career opportunities and increase self-esteem. In fact, the study found that more than half of participants—51 percent—are at least aware of the still young and growing coaching profession. Of the 48 percent of respondents who were unaware of coaching, one-third indicated they would consider participating in a coaching relationship in the future.

Reasons to engage in coaching are many. The Global Consumer Awareness Study determined common areas in which people are using professional coaching today. 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” at 38.8 percent and “improve business management strategies” at 36.1 percent. Other more personal motivations like “increase self-esteem/self-confidence” and “manage work/life balance” rated fourth and fifth to round out the top five motivation areas.

In previous research the ICF found that coaching is also generating a very good return on investment—a median return of seven times the initial investment for businesses—while being used for some of the same motivations mentioned in the latest study.

Companies large and small are optimizing individual and team performance through coaching. IBM and Solaglas Windowcare were recognized by the coaching industry as recipients of the ICF International Prism Award last year for their innovative coaching initiatives. Despite the recent global economic climate, ibm.com of North America reported a 563 percent return on investment from its coaching programs that engage sales teams and managers within the company. Solaglas, a leading UK-based glass replacement and installation company, reported higher customer satisfaction and a return on investment of 490 percent. Company executives believe these gains are small compared to the long-term impact coaching will have.

The ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, which surveyed 15,000 participants age 25 and up in 20 countries, was conducted independently by the International Survey Unit of PwC.

Visit the Press Room of Coachfederation.org to read more about the study and to subscribe to ICF's Press Room RSS feed.

Outcomes of the July Board Meeting - Part 2

Continuing from my last post, the Board also discussed the following areas at our July meeting:

ICF Branded Events

ICF events are growing in number and are a key way coaches touch the ICF. It’s critical that these events align with the ICF brand and that attendees have consistent positive experiences—we want everyone to continue to be inspired and motivated.

At the July Board meeting, work by the ICF Branded Events Taskforce was presented to the Board. The presentation focused on results of an analysis of data collected over the last two years and related discussions around the ideal mix of ICF branded events and possible business models for these events. The goal is to make sure a proper mixture of events is being offered so that different members’ needs and interests are being served. It’s also important that the diversity of our members and a balance between international, regional and local events be taken into consideration.

Outcomes of the July Board Meeting - Part 1

On July 8 to 10, the ICF Board met for its usual mid-year face-to-face meeting. I was extremely pleased to witness and be a part of the deep, strategic and holistic conversations we had. The richness of the agenda reminded me how much our Board and the organization have committed to do this year and how all of the different elements we are working on are interconnected.

If you have questions or comments about the following information, I encourage you to post your thoughts at the end of this post and/or join members of the Board for the next Real Talk with the Board call (see schedule).

Update on ICF Board Discussions, in Anticipation of the July 2010 Board Meeting

I’d like to provide you with an update of the Board’s activities, in anticipation of our upcoming meeting scheduled for July 7-9 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. We are six months into the year and there are many initiatives and decisions that we are being called to make.

As usual, I’d like to hear comments and input from you in one of the various feedback channels that are listed at the end of this post. Please let me know your thoughts on any of the following areas the Board is discussing:

Partnering for building a successful ICF

ICF’s Management Agreement with IMG

Since the year 2000, ICF has employed the assistance of a management company to run the association’s day-to-day operations. While the ICF Board of Directors sets overall policy and strategic direction for the organization, our management company partners with us to “make it happen.” Since May 2005, the ICF has been in a partnership with IMG. So for the last five years, under the direction of ICF’s elected leadership, IMG has provided service and support to our growing global membership.

Due Diligence Before Renewing the Contract

In early 2009, a special taskforce was appointed to look into the possibility of renewing the ICF/IMG contract for another period. The role of the taskforce was to engage in a due diligence process to consider the performance of IMG so far, to make sure any new agreement was in line with industry standards, to negotiate favorable terms for any new agreement, and to assess the way in which ICF and IMG worked together. This taskforce, on which I had the privilege of serving, worked for many months to perform this due diligence. Now, I would like to share the results of our work with you.

Message to ICF members relative to credential enhancements and the Board meeting of March 18

On March 18, the ICF Board of Directors met for its second Board meeting of 2010. The agenda was very rich and allowed for fruitful conversations. The most relevant agenda items were: 1) Credentialing work plan approval, 2) Proposed change of criteria and process for the Nominating Committee, 3) fiscal 2011 budget approval, and 4) Minimum eligibility criteria for ICF membership.

1) Credentialing work plan approval
As you are aware from previous communications, the ICF Credentialing & Program Accreditation Committee has been charged with developing standards to meet the objective determined by the Board of enhancing our credentialing program to best protect and serve consumers of coaching services, measure and certify competence of individuals, and inspire pursuit of continuous development. The first step was developing a plan of action to be presented to the Board at our March 18 meeting. The Board approved the 17-page two-year work plan presented by the Committee. Several working groups will review the following:

• The current system;
• Governance of the credentialing process;
• Assessment process of applicants; and
• Qualifications of credential applicants.

Obviously, this is a large task and we need your help. Some of you have already contacted ICF about getting involved and others have yet to step up and identify yourselves. There will be various levels of commitment to choose from. For instance, some of you may want to:

• Participate on a work group for several months, which may take four to six hours a month;
• Review and comment on selected drafts, which may take one to two hours a month;
• Give your opinions when asked, which will take an hour here or there; and
• Some of you may be open to any level of commitment described above.

We have a commitment to reflect the diversity of our membership through all levels of participation around these charges. The Committee is now engaged in developing a brief application form to build the pool of members who are interested in this work. You will be able to indicate your level of interest on this form.

If you want to be a part of the biggest undertaking in our current year at ICF, look for, and take a few minutes to complete the brief application form which will be made available this month. The application form is the first step in beginning the selection process for participation in this important work.

Update on ICF Board Discussions

Hello,

With this blog posting, I wish to provide members with an update on the most relevant discussions and initiatives the Board has taken recently and the discussion topics of the next Board of Directors meeting on March 18.

I look forward to hearing your response to this update through the various feedback channels listed at the end of this post.

Developing an Environment of Trust
The Board of Directors voted on a number of initiatives to foster a feedback culture, increasing openness and transparency of the organization’s governance. The initiatives that will be undertaken in the next few months include:

• Building consistency and reliability into the credentialing process;
• Conducting a member satisfaction survey and publishing the results;
• Designing a mechanism to receive, handle and address complaints (possibly to be addressed through the creation of an online suggestion box which the Executive Committee would be in charge of and monitor); and
• Include ICF Chapters in project implementation.

Real Talk with the ICF Board

Join members of ICF Board for an open forum - Real Talk with the ICF Board. Come share, ask questions and comment on items that interest you, including credentialing, chapter development, work on the ICF brand, public relations, membership recruitment or anything else.

Bridge line: +1.877.242.3279, Pin: 7400. Additional dialing instructions are available here (PDF).

Sessions are scheduled for the following dates (times below are in US Eastern/New York):


May

• Tuesday, May 4, 9 a.m. (in English)
• Tuesday, May 11, 1 p.m. (in French)
• Tuesday, May 18, 5 p.m. (in English)

Real Talk with the Board Recordings

Listen to the March 2 call.

Listen to the March 15 call (in Spanish).

Listen to the March 16 call.

Message Concerning ICF Credential Enhancements

On January 21 to 23, the ICF Board of Directors met for its annual strategic meeting. I invite you to read this month’s Coaching World newsletter, which will feature an article that will give you a better understanding of our commitment to the membership and organizational wholeness, and the organization’s strategic focus, including 2010 priorities.

Among the various topics on the agenda, the Board addressed the proposed changes to the current ICF Credentialing program. The Board reviewed all the comments received from members and stakeholders in the period from October to December 2009, including the input of the Lunch & Learn forum held in Orlando during the ICF Annual International Conference. We acknowledge that all the input received helped us realize that there are areas of concern that have to be addressed including two fundamental questions: 1) what is the purpose for the credentialing system and 2) whose task shall it be to develop a proposal to enhance our current credentialing system?

To summarize, the Board discussed and decided the following:

Challenges in the New Year

Hello,

This new year starts with a number of challenges for the ICF Board of Directors to tackle. The most topical one regards the future of our credentialing program. While we are witnessing several other organizations offer credentials, an increasing number of universities launching their BAs in coaching, and starting to smell the strong odor of regulation temptation in several areas of the world, we feel a huge responsibility. We are accountable for balancing the legitimate expectations and worries of our diverse membership with the challenge of pioneering the future of coaching. We understand the importance that the enhancements of our current credentialing program will have. Doing this well will ensure that ICF continues to be healthy and that the coaching profession prospers to a greater consideration and reputation.

An Open Letter in Response to Questions Regarding the ICF Credentialing Program

An Open Letter in Response to Questions Regarding the ICF Credentialing Program

Thank you for expressing your thoughts and concerns about the proposed enhancements to the ICF Credentialing process. We appreciate your dedication to the credentialing program and welcome your engagement in an open, collaborative dialogue moving forward.

To provide clarify and updated information, we have organized this letter as follows:

• Board Actions Regarding the ICF Credentialing Proposal and the Transition Process
• Status of the Existing Three Levels of ICF Certification: ACC, PCC and MCC
• The Process for Open Discussion and Feedback
• Credentialing Forum – An Open Discussion at the ICF Annual International Conference
• The Coaching Knowledge Base Advisory Board
• ICF Leadership: Moving Forward

Additional Calls Scheduled

Have questions or comments regarding proposed enhancements to the ICF Credentialing Program? Additional calls have been scheduled during November. Calls, which will be approximately 60 minutes long, are scheduled for:

• November 3: 9 a.m. (New York), 3 p.m. (Paris), 10 p.m. (Hong Kong);
• November 12: 4 p.m. (New York), 10 p.m. (Paris); Friday, November 13: 5 a.m. (Hong Kong);
• November 16: 9 a.m. (New York), 3 p.m. (Paris), 10 p.m. (Hong Kong); and
• November 23: 4 p.m. (New York) , 10 p.m. (Paris); Tuesday, November 24: 5 a.m. (Hong Kong);

ICF Credentialing Call Recordings Available

Several calls around proposed changes to the ICF Credentialing program have been scheduled for the month of October. Each call is being recorded and will be made available. View links after the jump.

Thoughts on Proposed Changes?

The ICF Board of Directors sincerely regrets any confusion and concern that has resulted from our communication regarding work on the credentialing program that many member volunteers have been doing since 2007.

First of all, let me apologize for not clearly communicating what is happening around our credentialing work and the purpose behind it. And secondly, let me assure you that no final decisions have been made or will be made in December. All we are learning in this input phase will be shared with you in further open conversations and provide additional opportunities for member input.

Join an Upcoming ICF Credentialing Call

Have questions or comments regarding proposed enhancements to the ICF Credentialing Program? Join one of several calls scheduled for October.

Calls, which will be approximately 60 minutes long, are scheduled for:

• October 9: 10 a.m. (New York), 14:00 (UTC/GMT)
• October 14: 5 p.m. (New York), 21:00 (UTC/GMT)
• October 20: 10 a.m. (New York), 14:00 (UTC/GMT)
• October 22: 5 p.m. (New York), 21:00 (UTC/GMT)