Fuel Your Professional Development
Peer coaching is a powerful way to enhance your professional growth. It provides valuable hands-on experience and deepens your skills in real-world practice. Plus, the benefits are endless! Whether you're looking to sharpen your techniques, get fresh perspectives, or build a supportive network, peer coaching opens doors to continuous learning and development, including:
- Increased Self-Awareness: Through self-reflection and constructive, non-judgmental feedback from your peers, you will gain insights into blind spots and areas for improvement.
- Empowerment and Confidence: The non-hierarchical nature of peer coaching fosters an environment where people feel safe to experiment, take risks, and grow. This can build confidence, especially in trying out new coaching approaches, methodologies, or exercises.
- Mutual Growth: Both you and your coaching peer benefit from the interaction. Through active listening, questioning, and reflecting, each party expands their coaching mindset and cultivates learning and growth.
What Makes ICF’s Reciprocal Peer Coaching Special?
ICF’s Reciprocal Peer Coaching program isn’t just a typical peer coaching model — it’s an elevated experience. Think of it as a global coaching exchange where you can connect with professionals from around the world. Unlike buddy coaching, where you coach each other, this program provides two unique matches for a rich, unbiased experience: one as your coach and one as your client. This creates a deeper level of growth. This program ensures you’re not just coaching but also being coached by the right match at the right time.
Recorded Sessions
Recorded sessions are an important part of any coach’s growing process. Through ICF’s peer coaching program, you automatically get permission to record your sessions as a coach, and you automatically give permission for your assigned coach to record your sessions as a client.
What do recorded sessions offer you?
- If you are pursuing an ICF credential, you may be required to submit recordings for a performance evaluation. You may use these recordings to apply for an ICF credential.
- When working with a mentor coach, it’s helpful to give them a recording to listen to so they can provide specific feedback on your coaching skills.
- Listening to your own session recordings provides an invaluable reflective practice to keep your skills sharp and prevent you from lapsing into bad habits.
If you have never recorded a coaching session before and don't know how to do it, don't worry. At the start of each round, you will receive several options for recording sessions (more than one of which are free).
Access to Global Coaching Network
Available in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and more, ICF’s Reciprocal Peer Coaching program fosters a diverse community of coaches. No matter where you are, you can connect and grow. If your preferred language isn’t available yet, the program can expand based on demand.
How Does ICF’s Reciprocal Peer Coaching Work?
Create Your Profile
Begin by setting up your professional profile in the ICF Peer Coaching Community. Highlight your coaching style, credentials, preferred language, and experience. Your profile becomes a window for other ICF coaches to get to know you before requesting you as their coach.
Join a Coaching Round
Each round consists of a predetermined number of sessions where you are both coaching and are coached. This is where the magic of growth happens. Choose a round that fits your development level — whether you’re just starting out as a student or well on your way as an ACC, PCC, or MCC certified professional, there’s an option for you. Sessions must be completed within a set timeframe, keeping your development focused.
Match With a Peer
During registration, you'll have the opportunity to specify your preferences for the kind of coach you'd like to be matched with. Once registered we take of the rest! Program coordinators thoughtfully match you with both a coach and a client, ensuring an optimal peer-to-peer experience. You'll have the opportunity to review the profiles of all your peers in the round, see feedback from past clients, and even submit preferred coach requests based on your needs. This intentional matching process ensures you are not coaching or being coached by the same person, while striving to meet as many of your preferences as possible.
Reciprocal Growth and Accountability
Engage in coaching sessions with your assigned coach and client, and experience the benefits of diverse approaches, perspectives, and feedback. Expand your skills while logging the coaching hours you give and receive, all of which count toward your paid coaching hours.
How to Get Started
- Sign up in your preferred language.
- Join a round suited to your development stage.
- Engage with your coach and client through structured sessions.
- Receive feedback and log coaching hours for credentialing.
Peer coaching is the perfect blend of professional development and personal growth. Dive in, grow alongside your peers, and watch your coaching practice soar!