A Tale of Two Coaches and Their Coach-Education Journey to ICF Credential
How exciting it is that coaches are everywhere these days. Organizations are incorporating coaching cultures and there are several coaching hashtags now, such as: #coachingcommunity #coachingculture #coachingjourney #coachingworks #coachingskills #coachingmindset #coaching #coachingtips #coach #coachtraining
#coachingrofessionals #coachingbusiness #coachinglife #coachingprogram #coachingonline and the list goes on!
What does this coaching trend mean? We believe it means the Coaching industry is at a tipping point where certifications and credentials have become necessary and required to meet demand, and Coaching Out of the Box® is at the forefront of supporting ICF-accredited coach education programs to those who are seeking an ICF Credential.
But have you ever wondered what happens after receiving a coach education and how credentialed and certified coaches started their coaching careers? Business? Practices? Well, in this month’s Newsletter, three Graduates from Coaching Out of the Box®’s Fast Track to ICF Credential Program, have graciously agreed to share insights about their respective coach-credential journey and post-graduate experiences.
Meet Kohei Yoshino COTBx Graduate and ACC:
My coaching journey began when I joined a weekly men's group coaching program, which focused on improving the quality of life from different perspectives. Through being coached in this group and reflecting on my own purpose, I realized that my true calling is coaching and this was when I decided to do the Fast Track program.
When I started the Fast Track to ICF Credential program, my coaching business was already underway. My business network has expanded quite significantly during my coach education and I continue to connect with some of my cohort members as well as prospective students and other graduates through the COTBx network. My business performance has definitely improved due to the combination of the expanded network and the benefit of the aforementioned ICF certification.
I am currently working as a Leadership Coach within an organization and have my own coaching practice. The role I currently have within the organization was only looking at coaches who were ICF certified. I noticed in general that my ICF credential opened up many doors for me in terms of finding contract work or coaching contracts with corporate clients.
While working as a Change Management Consultant, I kept refining my coaching offerings based on the learnings from the Fast Track program. Upon the completion of the ICF certification process which allowed me to become an ACC, I further expanded my reach by partnering with other organizations that offered coaching services and currently maintain a healthy balance of clients(i.e., my own clients vs the clients through the organization I work for).
Are you coaching within an organization or within your own coaching practice? Or both?
I am doing both - Working as a Leadership Coach within an organization and having my own coaching practice.
How do you feel your business has changed post-credential?
The role I currently have within the organization was only looking at coaches who were ICF certified. I noticed in general that it opened up many doors for me in terms of finding contract work or coaching contracts with corporate clients as well.
Did you have coaching experience before starting your coaching education?
Yes, I initially learned about coaching through reading books, and prior to being part of COTBx, I had already taken a few coaching training courses through work. When I started COTBx, I had already started my coaching business as well.
During and after your coach education, did you notice changes in your business performance or business relationships?
My business network has expanded quite significantly during my coach education and I continue to connect with some of my cohort members as well as prospective students and other graduates through the COTBx network. My business performance has definitely improved due to the combination of the expanded network and the benefit of the aforementioned ICF certification.
Can you share any insights on your coaching journey? Pre COTBx to the Fast Track program and then integrating your coaching skills into a current role and or starting a business?
My coaching journey began when I joined a weekly men's group coaching program, which focused on improving the quality of life from different perspectives. Through being coached in this group and reflecting on my own purpose, I realized that my true calling is coaching and this was when I decided to do the Fast Track program. While working as a Change Management Consultant, I kept refining my coaching offerings based on the learnings from the Fast Track program. Upon the completion of the ICF certification process which allowed me to become an ACC, I further expanded my reach by partnering with other organizations that offered coaching services and currently maintain a healthy balance of clients(i.e., my own clients vs the clients through the organization I work for).
I was working as an internal coach when I made the decision to pursue credentialing. Although it wasn't required for my job, I felt compelled to enhance my skills and seek professional certification. I had to choose between pursuing a doctorate or obtaining my ICF Coaching credential. After careful consideration, I realized that obtaining my coaching credential would provide more practical benefits and open up external coaching opportunities. As someone who values continuous learning and personal growth, I made it a priority to apply my coaching skills in various settings, including informal conversations, formal coaching sessions, and even within my family interactions. Mastery and craftsmanship are important to me, especially in areas I'm passionate about, and coaching is one of them. So, when I started my ACC credential, I knew it would be part of my journey to achieve the MCC level. I obtained my ACC in 2019, followed by PCC in 2020, and finally reached MCC in 2022.
Throughout this journey, my confidence grew as my knowledge expanded, and it opened up new professional opportunities for me. But beyond the destination, I have come to appreciate the process and the joy of the journey itself. Pursuing credentialing requires commitment, time, financial investment, unlearning, learning, and relearning. It's not an easy path, but it is incredibly rewarding. However, it's important to reflect on your own reasons for seeking certification and what it would mean for both you and your clients. This fast-paced journey may not be suitable for everyone, so I encourage you to deeply consider your motivations and the potential impact of credentialing.
As I continue my journey, I am focused on expanding my knowledge in areas such as team/group coaching, coaching frameworks, NLP, fierce conversations, and more. I am also actively giving back by participating in webinars, podcasts, and writing articles, as well as delivering new coaching courses. I am particularly excited about facilitating future sessions on"Purposeful Conversations" with Coaching Out of the Box.
Hands down, Coaching Out of the Box®’s Fast Track to ICF Credential Program is the fastest path to obtaining an ICF ACC Credential without compromising our quality of coach-specific education, our commitment to excellence, and value. As a Level 1 ICF Accredited Coach Educator, it is our responsibility to ensure that the programs you choose are ICF accredited and that the student support we provide is available to you before, during, and after graduation.In closing, these amazing Graduates have allowed us to provide their respective contact information and have agreed to graciously accept your inquiries as you embark, continue or complete your coach-education journey.
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How exciting it is that coaches are everywhere these days. Organizations are incorporating coaching cultures and there are several coaching hashtags now, such as: #coachingcommunity #coachingculture #coachingjourney #coachingworks #coachingskills #coachingmindset #coaching #coachingtips #coach #coachtraining
My coaching journey began when I joined a weekly men's group coaching program, which focused on improving the quality of life from different perspectives. Through being coached in this group and reflecting on my own purpose, I realized that my true calling is coaching and this was when I decided to do the Fast Track program. 
