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Who Coaches
the Coach?
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Cathy Mott, 2019
Board Secretary
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I
ask this question because I am currently pursuing my MCC through ICF
Global. Yes, Master Certified Coach! One of the
requirements is to have 2500 hours of coaching experience and with
that many hours, one might think this would in itself qualify a
person for this level of mastery and bring about a certain level of
confidence. Well, it did until I actually registered for the
required additional training and mentoring to meet ICF's requirements
for MCC.
During the six months of training with bi-weekly sessions that
literally included individuals from all over the globe (Dubai, France,
India, Saudi Arabia, Israel - just to name few), I began to
feel like I was starting all over again, a very similar feeling to
what I experienced when I was in training for my ACC. I have
really come to appreciate the value of childlike humility in the
learning space, because it's this humility that allows children to
remain inquisitive and to keep trying.
As an adult, this process takes dedication, a lowliness of mind,
(letting go of what we think we know) and persistence to sit with the
painful awareness that I wasn't doing things as well as I thought I
was. Ouch! This feeling would occur frequently during this
training. I'm sure you've all heard of the statement, "You
don't know what you don't know." Well, through this
training I discovered there was a lot I thought I knew; however, I
didn't fully understand the brevity and the depth of what I would
soon experience as master coaching. One of the many reasons for
the question, "Who Coaches the Coach?"
As a PCC and an empath who is very intuitive, there were a lot of
things I thought I knew; especially since I could perceive and feel
what my clients were feeling in the moment. Because of my
natural gifts and talents, coaching to me is beautifully
electrifying! However, during the training for my MCC, I began
to really appreciate the value of the core competencies.
Sometimes if we've been coaching for a while and have an established
practice, we develop a "way" of doing things. Our
comfort level and skill set has increased and sometimes we may not
check in to see if we are really using the core competencies to the
extent that will heighten our performance as a coach. Well,
during this training, all participants had to coach a client while
everyone in the training was listening in. We all knew that we
would receive feedback or "armchair coaching" after our
recorded coaching sessions with the client. It was during these
feedback sessions that I developed a deep sense of gratitude for the
core competencies.
In my initial training to become an ICF credentialed coach, I heard
many times, "let the questions do the heavy lifting."
However, I began to really understand that the core competencies
provide the foundation and the strength for powerful
questioning. I will be the first to admit that sometime after I
received my PCC, I would fall back on my natural gifts and talents,
and as coaches we quickly learn the skill set of how to turn any
thought or statement into a question, so I thought I was really good
at coaching. (don't get me wrong, I still believe I'm a good coach).
However, mastery means using the core competencies in a way an artist
uses a paint brush. They know when to use a stroke, a dab, when
to wait a few moments for the paint to dry...everything they do in
the process creates a beautiful piece of art.
Coaching at the MCC level really is an art. The coaching I received
from other coaches as well as my mentor coach has helped me to hone
my skills and really improve in my usage of the core
competencies. I'm so grateful to be part of organizations, both
ICF and ICF Michigan, that requires coaches to continue to improve
our practice and our skill set as coaches.
Just as important as setting the requirement, these organizations
provide the resources. One example is our ICF Michigan's Core
Competency Calls, our ICF Michigan Coaches Connections and ICF
Michigan Coaches Café. These all provide opportunities for
coaches to build partnerships and connections. With that being
said, I humbly would like to make this one suggestion: look for and
create opportunities for other coaches to give you feedback on your
coaching sessions. "Armchair coaching" can create a
tremendous opportunity for self-awareness along with growth and
development as a coach. Why not ask one of your clients if you
can record one of their sessions and then ask an ICF-credentialed
coach to listen to it and give you feedback. I guarantee you
will walk away sensing the value of "arm-chair" coaching
and a deeper appreciation for the core competencies and how they set
the framework for great coaching.
As coaches, we all have natural gifts and talents and coaching is a
great place to use these, that's what makes each coach unique.
However, if we recognize the strength and the value of the core
competencies, we will find greater ease in creating the space for
transformational coaching. I share this experience with you
because I have often wondered in my career as a coach, "Who
coaches the coach?" This question can apply to so many
different areas as an entrepreneur and business owner, but it
definitely bubbled up again as I was deep in the place of
childlike curiosity, humility and persistence.
As one coach to another, I leave you with a couple questions to
ponder. When is the last time you received "arm-chair"
coaching on your coaching? And the second question is..."Who
Coaches the Coach?"
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NEWS & RESOURCES FROM ICF
MICHIGAN
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SBAM
(Small Business Association of Michigan) UPDATES AND RESOURCES
-Did you know that when you become a member of ICF
Michigan you also get membership
benefits from SBAM? Another great benefit of ICF Michigan
membership!
-Association Health Plan for SBAM members now available - Click here for more info
-SBAM Events Calendar - Click
here for upcoming events
-Wednesday Wisdom - Click here to see tips, resources,
advice, and best practices from fellow small business owners.
NOTE:
ICF Michigan members will be getting a "Welcome Kit" email
within the next few weeks that outlines your benefits and other
information. Then you will get 2 emails per week from SBAM. As
with any reputable company or organization, you can unsubscribe at any
time.
SAVE THE
DATE! GRAND RAPIDS COACHES' CONNECTION ON SEPTEMBER 27th.
We'll
be having a Coaches' Connection in the Grand Rapids area on Friday,
September 27th. We're firming up details and will have more
information and a registration link soon, but save the date for
now!
SAVE THE DATE!
OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL BE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17th.
Our annual conference will be at the Okemos Conference
Center in Okemos, MI this year (just outside Lansing). We'll be
announcing information very soon about this fun day so please be on
the lookout for emails and a link to register, but save the date for
now!
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SAVE THE DATE!
The Midwest Region Coaches Conference will be September
30 - October 2, 2020 in Milwaukee. Volunteers are needed -
please contact Elizabeth Rockendorf
if interested.
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Please don't hesitate to contact our dedicated Board
members with questions, observations or suggestions.
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A
dynamic, diverse community of coaches, which grows, develops,
connects, and serves
our
members, supporting communities and individuals with the highest
standards of professional coaching.
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TOP
10 REASONS TO
JOIN ICF MICHIGAN
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There are lots of great reasons to join ICF Michigan,
whether you are just starting out as a coach or have an established
career...
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Mat
Riley of
Ferndale, MI
Francine Carter of Danville, IN
Nancy Maurer of Rochester Hills, MI
Carol Michaelides of
Ann Arbor, MI
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Nia
Spongberg celebrates that she is now coaching
full time! For the past 7 years, she has done a mix of coaching as
well as her other job and is happy that she is now able to coach full
time. Congratulations, Nia!
Janna Yeshanova
celebrates that she has earned her PCC and also
provided a workshop at ICF Columbus on Listening that received great
reviews. Nice job, Janna!
Alba Contreras
Rodriguez celebrates that she has earned her
ACC. Way to go, Alba, congratulations!
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CURRENT
EVENTS & WEBINARS
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GUEST
SPEAKER SERIES WEBINAR WITH CATHY MOTT
Topic:
"Taking Care
of Your Inner Coach with Emotional Intelligence"
August 15 at
1:00 pm
Topic:
"Facilitating
Learning and Results: Designing Actions"
August
20 at 2:30 pm
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WOULD
YOU LIKE TO JOIN ICF MICHIGAN?
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Click here for information about our
membership options and rates.
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SMALL
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN (SBAM)
PARTNERSHIP
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We
have renewed our partnership with the Small Business
Association of Michigan (SBAM) and have provided for each
member the benefit of a premium level membership.
ICF Michigan supports our members with access to the benefits of an
SBAM membership. You can 'buy up' for a VIP status or opt out should
you choose not to participate.
SBAM
has a wide range of benefits and services available and we hope you
will take the time to explore how this partnership might benefit your
coaching business.
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Join us for Collaborative
Coaching Conversations throughout Michigan!!
Check out the Events section of our Facebook page for upcoming Coach
Cafes,currently offered in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Royal
Oak.
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