When I began coaching 13 years ago, the profession was very new, unseasoned, and untested. Few people actually knew what coaching was and when I would say “I’m a coach”, they would ask, ‘for what sport?’ From only a handful of coach training schools ten years ago, there are now more than 400. That is serious and consistent growth for a new profession.

Today, coaching is maturing and coming of age. The marketplace is becoming more savvy and sophisticated too. When people look for a coach, they are more likely to ask about certification, credentials and experience. I always advise clients to do the due diligence; interview coaches, and then make sure they hire a professionally trained and credentialed coach.

Coaches who have been trained by an accredited school and then credentialed through the International Coach Federation have achieved the highest standards the profession offers. They can be sure that they are bringing quality and excellence to their clients. The clients can be sure that their coach will adhere to the ethics and standards held by the ICF and maintain a professional relationship.

When you look for a professional in any area, an accountant, a lawyer, a doctor, a plumber, you want to be sure that the individual is completely trained and is certified to provide you with a service. It’s a way of saying to the marketplace, “Yes, you can trust me to do the very best job for you, because I have been trained and certified by the best.”

More and more over the years, as companies hire internal coaches, they are requiring that coaches go through an accredited program. To maintain consistency and quality, companies from Blue Cross/Blue Shield to Shell Oil have found that coaching is a viable and valuable modality for their workforce.

Coaches who study and work to gain a credential are showing that they are committed to their profession. They are proud to hold a credential which clearly states to the world that they are serious and dedicated professionals.

As coaching continues to grow and expand, credentialing will also continue to rise in importance. The more coaches there are in the world, the more our clients will demand that we rise to achieve the highest standards. A coaching credential serves to communicate these standards with no uncertainty. Our clients can feel secure in knowing that their credentialed coach brings credibility, training, experience and excellence to the coaching relationship.

As you choose your coach training school, make sure the program is an Accredited Coach Training Program with the International Coach Federation.