Becoming a professional coach was on my list of goals for some time. However, as the saying goes, a goal without a plan is just a wish. So, I decided to take some definite action to accomplish this goal.

As stated in “Law and Ethics in Coaching” by Patrick Williams and Sharon K. Anderson, becoming a coach is a conscious endeavor that requires at least four investments by the potential coach:

Attending a real and substantive coach training program over a period of time.
Engaging in a coaching relationship as a client.
Practicing the skills learned in the coach training program.
Understanding and accepting the underlying principles of the coaching relationship.

Choosing a program

After reviewing several options, I chose the Certified Professional Coach Program at the University of Miami.

This is a 140 hour, eleven month program designed for those interested in a career in coaching, who also want outstanding training in order to serve clients at the highest level. Additionally, it is designed for leaders, managers, human resource professionals, teachers, or service professionals who want to dramatically improve their ability to communicate, motivate, inspire, and empower others.

Becoming a client

Coaching is about empowering individuals through an effective partnership.

“In order to understand both how to coach and the role of the client, the coach must be a client. Coaches committed to obtaining competence will invest in a coach of their own for a minimum of 6 to 12 months. This allows the new coach to experience how the coaching relationship unfolds form the client’s perspective, to feel the power and challenge inherent in good coaching, and to learn coaching skills from an experienced and competent, if not masterful, coach. The concept and range of competency becomes much, much clearer to new coaches when they experience masterful coaching themselves.”

Law and Ethics in Coaching by Patrick Williams and Sharon K. Anderson.

Accountability and support

To help me with this exploration, as well as the challenges and opportunities that come with the findings; I hired a coach who partners with me as I continue to work towards becoming the best version of myself.

By investing in my development, both personally and professionally, I’m intentionally choosing growth for me, and for my clients. Improvement is a journey.