Almost ten years ago, I decided that I wanted to become a professional coach. Working in leadership and human resource roles for some of Canada’s largest employers in the financial services sector gave me many opportunities to coach people. I learned that I loved being a coach — aka a strategic thinking partner and an impartial, confidential, accountability advocate. 

Want to be a coach?

While still working full-time for my employer and with their consent, I attended coach training (on my own time and dime). Back then, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) was not as well known as the global leader and gold standard for professional coaches. I received my first coaching certification from an organization whose training was not recognized by the ICF. 

So I started again and took more coach training. This time, I found a training program that would check all the important boxes in order to meet my coaching goals. 

As of the date of this post, I am awaiting a decision from the ICF regarding my application to be recognized as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). 

If you are looking to become a professional coach certified with the ICF, I invite you to continue reading. 

Over the years, I have learned a great deal about coach training, mentor coaching, and the ICF.