From:                              ICF Michigan [kathyv@icfmichigan.ccsend.com] on behalf of ICF Michigan [support@icfmichigan.org]

Sent:                               Monday, July 22, 2019 1:44 PM

To:                                   kathyv@icfmichigan.org

Subject:                          July 2019 Newsletter

 

 

ICF Michigan Newsletter

July 2019

 

Who Coaches the Coach?   

Cathy Mott, 2019 Board Secretary 

 

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?"

 

NEWS & RESOURCES FROM ICF MICHIGAN

 

 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!    

  

 

NEWS FROM ICF GLOBAL

 

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.  

 

 

2019 BOARD MEMBERS

Please don't hesitate to contact our dedicated Board members with questions, observations or suggestions. 

 

Jackie Browning President

Cheron Freeman, President-elect

 

Kaan Aksu, Member Relations

Venus Brown,Community Outreach Chair

Beth Buelow, Education and Training Chair

Beki Fraser, Past-President

Matthew McCarty, Marketing Chair

Cathy Mott, Secretary

Jennifer Wilson, Treasurer

Kathy Vlietstra, Administrator

MISSION STATEMENT

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.

 

TOP 10 REASONS TO
JOIN ICF MICHIGAN

There are lots of great reasons to join ICF Michigan, whether you are just starting out as a coach or have an established career...

Check them out here!

 

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Mat Riley of
Ferndale, MI

Francine Carter of Danville, IN

Nancy Maurer of Rochester Hills, MI

Carol Michaelides of
Ann Arbor, MI  

 

COACH CELEBRATIONS

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!

 

CURRENT EVENTS & WEBINARS

 

GUEST SPEAKER SERIES WEBINAR WITH CATHY MOTT 

Topic: "Taking Care of Your Inner Coach with Emotional Intelligence"
August 15 at 1:00 pm  

Click here for more info    

 

CORE COMPETENCY WEBINAR 

Topic: "Facilitating Learning and Results: Designing Actions"

August 20 at 2:30 pm   

Click here for more info

   

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN ICF MICHIGAN?

 

Click here for information about our membership options and rates.

 

If you have questions, please contact support@icfmichigan.org 

 

  ADDITIONAL LINKS

 

SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN (SBAM)
 PARTNERSHIP

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. 

 

COACH CAFÉS

 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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