The Top Ten List for Coaching Superstardom
Wouldn’t it be great to be viewed as a superstar coach, one who connects on the deepest level possible in every session, with every client?
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve amassed thousands of hours and a master credential, you can become a better coach. As with any profession, there is always room to grow and always space to expand one’s skills.
Here’s my list of the top ten things you can do to be on your way to becoming a coaching superstar:
10: Read coaching-related articles. Each day, there are many articles published on the subject of coaching. You’ll find some to be terrific and others not so. Irrespective of what you’ll read, you will think – and you will learn.
9: Read books that are relevant to coaching. Notice that I’m not specifically suggesting that you read a coaching textbook – though there is value in that. Think about the fundamental skills of coaching: presence, listening, questioning, relating and others. Comb Amazon (or your favorite bookstore) using these keywords and look for highly acclaimed titles, or ask other coaches for suggestions
8: Participate in a coaching webinar. Webinars are a great way to learn, right from the comfort of your own home or office. What’s more, many webinars are free. Search Google or YouTube using “coaching education” as your key phrase. Of course, you may need to filter out webinars on becoming a soccer coach!
7: Support a developing coach. “What?” you say, “I’m a new coach myself – how can I support someone else?” Every one of us has something to offer. Reach out to a coaching school – perhaps the one you attended – and offer to act as a support person for a student. Even if you’re a new coach, you can be a valuable sounding board for someone who is still in the learning phase.
6: Work with a mentor coach. How long has it been since you’ve been coached on your own coaching? A mentor coach will help you quickly identify what’s working well in your coaching and where you have opportunities to improve. Every coach – even the masters among us – can lapse unaware into bad habits.
5: Educate the public. Many people still don’t fully understand what professional coaching is; they mistakenly think that it’s advice giving or therapy. Offer to speak about coaching at a local community meeting or even at your workplace. Not a fan of the stage? Try writing a short article about coaching for your company’s newsletter or for a local publication.
4: Teach or speak to a class. If you have the knowledge and skill, find coaching programs near you and offer to teach. You may not be immediately accepted, but persistence could pay off. Otherwise, contact a local post-secondary school and ask if any professors would find value in a guest lecture about professional coaching.
3: Join your local ICF Chapter. Spending time with other coaches is not only pleasant – because coaches are generally nice people – but it also offers an opportunity to share best practices. Offer up your own coaching challenges and learn from your peers: “What techniques do you use to minimize distraction?” “What’s your best tip for unraveling the deeply held emotional issues that block clients?” By the way, many ICF chapters welcome coaches who are not yet ICF members, so don’t be shy!
2: Take an advanced coach training class. Invest in yourself with continuing coach education. What skill would you like to add to your toolkit? Mindfulness? NLP? Group Coaching? Search ICF’s Training Program Search Service using relevant keywords and you’re bound to find something of value.
And the number one way to achieve coaching superstardom? Practice, practice, practice! The more you coach, the better you’ll be. If you don’t yet have a large client base, there are other ways to practice. Consider ICF’s Reciprocal Peer Coaching. For a tiny fee, you have an opportunity to coach and be coached. Barter your coaching services – perhaps your favorite hairdresser or massage therapist will enjoy a few coaching sessions. Gain practice – and give back – by volunteering your coaching services to your local church or veteran’s organization.
Coaching superstardom is within every coach’s reach. What would you add to this Top Ten List to help other coaches be the best they can be?
Lillian LeBlanc, PCC (USA)
Lillian LeBlanc, PCC, MBA, is the principal of Ibis Coaching, LLC. An experienced leader, Lillian is a past president of the ICF Central Florida Charter Chapter, and she served as a director and officer of the inaugural ICF Coaching in Organizations Global Board of Directors.
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This is a fabulous summary of what coaches can do to continue their growth. It’s quite surprising how many coaches forget to look after themselves and their personal development once they qualify. Your list offers brilliant and simple tips for how they can keep the momentum! Thanks for sharing.
Think about the fundamental skills of coaching: presence, listening, questioning, relating and others. http://jaretgrossman.com/