The Coaching Industry has been on the rise for the past decade. With more and more companies and individuals requiring specialized coaching services, the industry is expected to reach $20 billion USD by 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world.
While the economic opportunity is clear, for which other reasons would anyone want to become a professional Coach?
Coaching is a way to help others while discovering oneself.
Many share a desire to bring a positive shift in society, of having a strong and lasting impact in its structures. There is an arising opportunity to make an impact by supporting individuals, teams and organizations navigate through difficult situations. This is where Coaching comes into play.
Professional Coaching provides individuals with the skills and the ability to guide others in making difficult decisions, understand themselves and unlock their real potential.
To achieve these goals, a Coach is willing to apply not only their greatest strengths but also showcase their own vulnerabilities bringing back a human dimension often forgotten in professional settings.
However, being a Coach is not only about the clients. Coaching is also a process of self-discovery, transformation and continuous growth.
By interacting with many different people, a Coach has several opportunities to access new dimensions and continually learn in an environment that is fast-paced and dynamic. It’s also an occasion to best understand how to support and guide others, thus favouring the development of Leadership skills vital in many organizations.
Many Coaches find in their profession not only a form of economic sustenance but also a way to live a more meaningful existence and to contribute to the betterment of society.
How to become a professional Coach?
While anyone can be a Coach, to become a professional one it is important to follow a couple of steps:
1 – Look up information
What are the main characteristics of the industry? Which kind of qualifications should you have and which kind of coach would you like to become?
There are many different types of coaching, however better not to decide from the beginning on a certain niche or specialization unless you had extensive coaching experience before or you are already involved in a certain field – it might narrow your horizons later. You will have a much better idea of what is most suited for you after you absorb the foundation of coaching – it will then become clearer what might be the best direction for you.
Instead, it is advisable to focus on elements like:
- The total number of training hours provided by a program,
- How experiential it is – since you learn coaching by doing, not only by absorbing theory
- The level of your future potential trainers
- Does it give you access to a community and further support?
- Is the program certified by ICF or a similarly widespread and accepted institution?
As the road to becoming a certified Coach involves many hours of training, it is key to do your research before you choose a program.
2 – Sign up for Coach Training
Learning and effectively applying coaching skills is a fundamental part of becoming a successful Coach. Once you have decided on the above aspects, you can apply for a certification course such as Erickson’s “Art and Science of Coaching”, a Solution-Focused program awarded with ICF Gold Standard perfect for aspiring Professional Coaches.
3 – Join the ICF
Joining the ICF means joining the biggest network of coaches in the world. It will help you in both getting advice and inspiration, as well as to stay up to date with the latest industry trends.
4 – Get certified
Being certified is extremely important for Coaches. It helps in finding new clients, demonstrates reliability and professionalism as well as earning them authority in the field.