Coach's VIEW is a business column authored by executive coaches in COACH A, aimed at providing valuable insights and effective approaches for leveraging coaching to foster organizational and leadership development. The column draws on the latest coaching trends and data, as well as insights from notable global publications on coaching.
Interview with Pam of Coach U - Part 2
September 14, 2020
[About the Establishment of ICF]
11. What was the intention behind establishing ICF?
The ICF was created to support graduates of coach training programs in continuing the development conversation and, ultimately, creating a strong foundation for the creation of coaching as a profession.
12. What part did Coach U play in the establishment of ICF?
The original ICF organization was created by Coach U to support graduates. However, as other organizations began to emerge, the board of directors of two of the largest schools (Coach Uʼs ICF and Coaches Training Institute's Personal and Professional Coaching Association) came together to stand for creating an inclusive partnering in evolving coaching. Coach U and CTI cut their direct ties to their individual associations, the boards merged and decided to keep the name the ICF and a fully independent organization was formed. An organization that offered a haven for coaches from any school.
13. What part has Coach U played in the evolvement of ICF?
Coach U students and graduates continue to actively serve as volunteers with the ICF. Many of our past leaders have been presidents of the ICF, including myself in 2006. Coach U, the standards of coach training offered its students, and the integrity of coaching skills that align fully with the ICF, continues to support the evolution of the ICF.
[Learning about Coach Uʼs current state]
14. How many Coach U graduates are there in total?
Below are all our grads. Some are graduates in several programs so at this time I would approximate a total of 6,000 graduates, with approximately 14,000 students taking some kind of program with us.
15. How many countries around the world do you deliver services to? What type of services do you deliver to each of these regions?
We have students and/or graduates in 113 countries. We offer Training of Coaching Skills and Related elements, Training of a Coach Approach to Leadership (and Licensing a 2-day Leader/Manager as Coach program), and Executive Coaching Services.
16. What type of people seeks Coach Uʼs training, and how do you address their needs?
Coach U offers a variety of courses for people from all walks of life interested in coaching, personal growth and making a difference in the world. This includes individuals, teams, organizations, executives, and more.
17. How many facilitators do you have?
Presently we have 40+ active faculty / facilitators, all holding a PCC or an MCC credential.
18. How has Coach Uʼs superiority and competitiveness changed in these twenty years?
We are moving along and growing our offerings and curriculum to align with the advancement of the profession. I, along with many of our faculty, are staying connected with our professional organizations (ICF, AC, EMCC, ACTO for example) and offering time and resources to support this growth.
[Regarding Collaboration with COACH A]
19. How far back do you go with Mamoru Itoh, Founder of COACH A? What relationship do you have?
Itoh-san and I have known each other for over 20 years. I was working in leadership at Coach U when we licensed Coach U materials to him, and he created Coach 21. We are respectful colleagues and enjoy many of the same activities (writing, dogs, coaching, curious creating, working globally across cultures, etc.!!). It is a joy to work with him.
20. What are the different strengths of Coach U and COACH A?
Coach U offers a breadth of learning opportunities in various markets for individuals interested in coaching for personal, business or corporate work. Coach A offers a suite of programs for organizational leadership that leverages coaching and leadership training at various levels to impact culture. The marriage of Coach U and Coach A is perfect as we offer a wider range of possibilities of making a difference in the world with coaching and a coach approach.
21. What aspects of COACH A do you feel is fresh/innovative?
In particular, I LOVE the research that COACH A continues to conduct on the impact of coaching and training in organizations. For me, this is what will continue to grow and validate creating a coaching culture in not only organizations, but in the lives of all individuals that learn the skills. This research helps both organizations advance and stay at the cutting edge of expanding human potential.
22. What new possibilities are created from collaborating with COACH A? What benefits does it bring to Coach U, and vice versa?
The partnership is an excellent merger of talent, products and services. We now have a wider range of offerings that can address almost any market. Also, Coach U is assisting in making sure that both facets of this partnership are compliant and up to date on the emergent elements and growth of coaching in the world.
23. Having experienced this merger and post-merger phase, what new awareness have you gained as a coach, and then as a leader?
I am smiling as I write this. What I find, is that stepping in to supporting the growth of Coach U recently and partnering with Coach A, brings me joy. The way we are working together, the respect, thoughtfulness and good business sense that we have is inspiring and frankly, joyful. We continue to do our best to model a coach approach as leaders and trainers in this business and all that we do. I am reminded of how much I really enjoy partnering.
[About the Coaching Industry and its Future]
24. From the eyes of a veteran, what do you see happening in the coaching industry today, and in which areas do you see coaching evolving right now?
Coaching is just beginning. Yes, we have been formally nurturing a profession since the early 90ʼs, however the impact and opportunities that coaching can bring are almost unlimited. Coaching is moving into being imperative for competency in education, families, leadership, sales, career work, etc. We are experiencing more and more that leaders and individuals who are trained in coaching skills have a competitive advantage in their career trajectory. Research on the impact of coaching and leadership is in its beginning stages. We have yet to determine the full difference that coaching can and will make in the world.
25. As Coach U, what business changes are you aiming for in the future?
To build the business in support of bringing a coach approach to as many human beings in the world as possible via organizations, small business, entrepreneurs, educators and more. And advancing, updating and creating relevant products and services that will continue the impact of our work.
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Language: Japanese
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