ICW 2017: Connect, Engage, Educate, Celebrate and Reflect
It’s that time of year when we, as a global coaching community, have an opportunity to Connect, Engage and Educate others about what coaching is and how it can raise the potential of people and organizations as well as further our vision of coaching being an integral part of a thriving society.
Can you believe International Coaching Week (ICW) was started 18 years ago by ICF Member Jerri N. Udelson, MCC, as a way of educating the public about the value of working with a professional coach and here we are in 2017 continuing that purpose as coaches around the world? Thanks Jerri!
This is our opportunity to Connect and Engage with colleagues and friends in the coaching community and to Celebrate our successes and acknowledge contribution. It’s our opportunity to come together to Engage and Educate with potential new and existing clients and organizations.
Connect, Engage, Educate
ICF Chapters around the world have been creating events from one-day conferences to half-day workshops to gala award dinners. To find out about what events are happening in your region and chapter, go to experiencecoaching.com. It is not too late to get involved.
ICF Chapters are encouraged to share what they have planned for ICW on Facebook. So, I encourage you to follow what is going on in our global community and be part of and contribute to the buzz of International Coaching Week.
I invite all coaches (whether ICF Members or not) to connect globally and use the hashtag #ExperienceCoaching across all the social media platforms you use to bring even greater global awareness, connection and celebration to ICW. You’re also welcome to share your events and to connect with us by leaving a comment below.
Reflect and Celebrate
Finally, ICW is also a time for reflection and celebration. Reflect and celebrate what you have achieved and learned as a coach, support clients to reflect on their learnings and celebrate their achievements with them.
Celebrate being a Professional ICF Coach and let’s celebrate International Coaching Week’s 18th year. I can’t wait to join in the conversation and celebration with all of you. Thank you for what you do to keep us on the path to our vision.
Happy ICW!
Hilary Oliver, PCC
Hilary works as an executive and leadership coach, facilitator, trainer, coach-mentor and coach supervisor in her own private practice. Hilary has been coaching internationally as a professional coach for 15 years, and prior to that had over 20 years of experience in a wide range of business sectors and executive positions. Hilary enjoys working with all levels of leadership and loves working with the younger leaders of today. In her personal life, she is a long-distance endurance walker and has a passion for travel.
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I am opening up my calendar to offer free strategy/coaching sessions to the public to share the value of working with a professional coach. I am also offering a free lunchtime workshop (lunch and beer on your own) at St Arnold’s Brewery in Houston, Tx in the beer hall on Tuesday May 16 from 11:30-1:00 on Busting Assumptions. Looking forward to celebrating International Coaching Week!!
Hi Margaret, thanks for sharing your ICW contribution. The people in Houston are lucky to have you.
Thanks for what you do to support others. Best wishes and good luck. Hilary
Thank you for the added emphasis and clarification !
Hilary, thank you for creating this space for reflection and thank you for leading our global community.
Today I facilitated a pro-bono coaching experience for two families of Syrian immigrants who recently moved to my neighborhood. It was profound for me as the coach because in those two groups, I heard about the dreams and aspirations of two families who traveled a long journey to America and who are wanting to carve out a better life for themselves. I was able to apply my coaching skills to help them understand what is happening right now, help them choose to envision what’s possible in their families in the future, and help them develop a plan to actualize their dreams.
Since beginning my coaching journey 10 years ago, I have been extremely fortunate to work with clients from Fortune 100 companies to those with next to nothing and everyone in between. Along this journey, I’ve become educated — first completing coach training school, and then completing a certification program. I’ve worked with a masterful mentor coach. I’ve obtained two different ICF credentials. I’ve met scores of friends and colleagues around the world who are working with people in very diverse communities. I’ve had the opportunity to lead the professional coaches working in four U.S. states and I’ve had the unique opportunity to welcome many new members into the ICF. I led a community of practice that experienced explosive growth and I’ve repeatedly taken the opportunity to participate in this community in different shapes and forms.
My commitment during this International Coaching Week is to continue to be an active participant in this professional community and to continue to use my voice and choices to encourage and acknowledge others, to call out — loudly when I see it — choices made in this community that benefit the few v/s the many, and to speak my truth to whoever will listen.
With all my best,
Chris Padgett, PCC
Thanks so much Chris. Its a lovely model of celebrating and reflecting on who you are as a coach, the work that you do and how you use your skills in all areas and importantly to support social change. I am sure that the Syrian families were grateful for your support and coaching to help them realise their potential and their dreams in their new chosen country. Thank you.
Nice reach out, Hilary. In Australasia Victoria, we are delighted to have provided something for each weekday of ICW 2017. Here’s a high level piece of what we did.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/coach-contribute-choose-grace-thomas-pcc-maicd-cahri
Inspired by many to appeal to both our members and the market.