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Members Feedback On Benefits of Credentialing
We asked our credentialed members in the UK for their feedback on the benefits (and disadvantages) of being credentialed:
Aboodi Shabi PCC
The main benefits are to do with increased credibility, and supporting the establishment and perception of coaching as a profession - I think this is going to be increasingly important.
Amanda Alexander ACC
No disadvantages at all. The benefit is that ICF credentialing is the most respected career path for coaches, so by having those 3 letters after your name, you are demonstrating that you are a serious and professional coach, not just someone who has done a 2 day course or a correspondence course. I believe that, once coaching becomes regulated as a profession, it is ICF accreditation that will matter. I feel proud and pleased to be credentialed, and this in turn gives me more confidence in my ability to sell myself as a coach. I also think that it is a great exercise to immerse yourself in the core ICF competencies and the code of ethics – it brings a solid baseline set of skills to you as a coach.
Angela O’Connell ACC
Well I cannot say it has produced more clients but it has:
given me more confidence because the process is rigourous and not just a foregone conclusion
gained respect from others (sometimes rather grudgingly!)
kept me in touch with ex clients, some of who have returned
by contacting ex clients I have found out some of the amazing things they are doing as a result of coaching, great motivator
Christian Worth ACC
The effort to get credentialed led me to improve significantly my professional ability.
Being credentialed has added credibility to my marketing.
I really feel part of a proud and professional community.
Ginny Baillie MCC
Weirdly, once I got the credentials my experience was that no one asked they way they did when I didn’t have any!
There is an assumption of professionalism and commitment to your craft which can open doors
I like it, it makes me feel I have attained some level of excellence in my profession (which naturally is a misnomer, the more experienced you get the more you realise you don’t know). It is significant to be part of a standard in a self regulated business. It has brought more people to my door so widened my community. I know that people search the ICF web site just using the accreditation so it does bring you more clients.
It makes a difference in corporate circles although it is not referred to specifically that often.
James Butler ACC
The benefits of being credentialed have been a greater personal sense of my professional competence, an awareness of my own areas for development and some recognition amongst peers and colleagues of my standing within the profession.
Jeanette Roddy ACC
So far, the benefits have mainly been for myself. I feel much more confident as a coach, and I also feel more confident as I talk to people about coaching. Previously I have qualified as a chartered engineer, and a chartered marketer, so for me having a professional basis for my work life is important. I do intend to use it more within my business now. I have been planning a new business launch, and gaining accreditation was one step along the road to that aim. The plan is now to launch in Q4 this year.
Jenny Bird MCC
Credibility with corporate clients
Many coaching companies insist all associates are accredited
Contributes to reflective practitioner mind-set.
It gives you huge credebility among the professionals and help you in your personal marketing.
Jilly Shaul MCC
The benefit is that should I be asked (and I never have been) what
qualifies me to call myself a Coach, I've got a frame of reference to
point them towards. Also it's a question of self-evaluation: those
MCC letters after my name, prove I've not been playing at it.
Continuing rigour in learning and practicing coaching. I have some business coaching work that was available only to credentialed coaches.
Stretching and improving my skills as a coach - having a clear path of professional development illuminated by people who have already been there
Motivation
Benchmarking self and skills in the profession
Feel good about contributing to the growth of coaching as a profession
Clients, particularly corporate, are starting to be more interested in credentials
Joyce Chiu Broadbent PCC
more professional and disciplined in my coaching
expensive
need to restrict my further professional courses I attend in line with ICF requirements e.g I would love to have retaken some of the courses I had found useful e.g. CoachU's Personal Foundation Course, but I have limited time and funds.
Kate Edmonds PCC
No disadvantages apart from the hassly admin! Benefits are that I feel I belong to a fairly exclusive club and that not everyone can be a member. I feel a professional and set apart. It gives confidence.
Lisa Wynn MCC
Cannot think of any disadvantages but the advantages have been huge.
At each level I have found greater knowledge about the coaching competencies, greater confidence and a more in depth understanding of how the competencies support flowing, deep coaching rather than limit your coaching as some people believe.
I enjoy my coaching even more with this more solid foundation.
It is a great marketing and sales tool particularly in the corporate market. Whilst clients don't necessarily ask for an ICF credential (although that is starting to happen), they take a lot of notice when you tell them they have one. It lends great credence to you as a coach and gives reassurance to the prospective client.
I find it easier to charge a higher fee because I am differentiated from competitors by the ICF credential.
Marianne Craig MCC
The obvious benefits are boosts to your confidence and your credibility. In addition, being awarded MCC was important for me personally as well as professionally because I have had a variety of careers. I no longer feel the need to change careers and this time I felt I wanted to achieve the highest professional standard and becoming MCC gave me a huge sense of achievement. I enjoyed the fact that the exam was a stretch and that I had to submit my coaching to be assessed externally. I like the rigour of the whole process and becoming fully credentialed means I feel I have arrived somewhere significant.
Martin Haworth ACC
Disbenefits were that it raised my expectations of quicker success more than it should have.
Benefits are that my accreditation has, without doubt, made me more acceptable as an associate working on bigger contracts. As an accredited coach, I have generated more business than before I was. This has not meant, for me that doors opened up automatically, more that I was more attractive, with my accreditation, in circumstances
Its a “standard” that clients can understand.
As an Associate of other companies, it is a clear benchmark for them of a minimum capability. It gives me a personal sense of satisfaction
It provides an ethical framework for both the coach and the client
Rachel Spooncer PCC
Benefits have been mainly a personal sense of confidence and credibility. It has also been helpful in proposals I have done recently where clients were looking for accreditation. I do use the designation on my promotional material but no-one has ever remarked on it.
Ray Lamb ACC
Business clients are increasingly calling for accreditation, therefore it makes it more of an imperative.
Richard Bentley PCC
I have not discovered any disadvantages
The advantages have been a growth in confidence, leading to better interactions with clients, and more coaching enquiries.
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