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Top Tips from Members for the Credentialing Process
We asked our credentialed members in the UK for their top tips for people going through the credentialing process:-
Aboodi Shabi PCC
DON'T WAIT until you're half-way into your credentialing hours before you start to keep a log - start at the beginning - it will be loads easier than trying to back-track your records.
Also - record sessions on-goingly, and listen to them, and see how they score against the competencies in your assessments.
Amanda Alexander – ACC
Start logging your paid client hours as soon as you can, and devise a simple system so that you don’t have to spend ages collating all your client logs. Also, in your coaching agreement, put in clause that confidentiality is assured, but that the client gives permission for you to use their email address solely for the purpose of submitting to ICF for accreditation (explain that all records are destroyed etc and that the email address may be used by ICF just to check with client that you actually coached them). This saves you a lot of time going back to old clients asking them for permission.
For preparation for the oral exam (live coaching), try to get in as much “pure” core competency coaching beforehand as you can. I found it useful to do this with fellow coaching students rather than with my clients, as I have different styles with my clients that might not always meet all the core competencies requirements.
Angela O’Connell ACC
understand the process - its not a daunting as you might think
start early - you can never have enough time, or at least leave a margin for the unexpected
record every client as you start/finish with them
decide who you want references from and contact them ahead of time, have some other clients just in case you have lost touch with people
ask for help!
I found it amazingly easy to under estimate how many hours I had actually done until I counted them up and realised I had very little time to complete the forms etc by the closing date. I now know exactly how many hours I have and I am about 300 short of PCC so ever onwards!
Christian Worth ACC
Learn from a ICF accredited school
Study the ICF competencies and know what they imply in terms of Coach behaviour
Keep a rigorous track of your sessions.
Work with a mentor Coach with a focus on the coaching method.
Ginny Baillie MCC
Find out what format is required for keeping the client hours log and do it right from the very start, even if you are not sure whether you’ll go for credentialing, it saves days later.
Send the coach who is listening to your sessions more than one session – they might need to cross reference sessions to see if traits they have identified are client specific or show up in all your sessions.
Remember the mentor coach is taking their responsibilities seriously in referencing your coaching and that they may not be able to give you the recommendation based on what you have sent them. Be open to this and ask for specific feedback so you are able to use it as a process to develop
It takes a significant amount of time to review someone’s sessions, whilst the mentor is happy to offer this as part of their commitment to the strong development of the coaching community remember to thank them and be appreciative of their time.
Whatever the outcome of the process it is there to serve you become a master.
James Butler ACC
Start early, because it can take a while to get everything together before the submission deadline.
Have a mentor coach to assist you through the process and help your professional preparation.
See the accreditation process as a way to develop your abilities, not just as hoops to jump through.Enjoy it!
Jeanette Roddy ACC
Find an ICF assessor to provide some constructive feedback on your current coaching style.
Listen to other people coaching. Note what they do well and think about how you could integrate that in your coaching. Think about what you would have done differently and why.
Practice your own coaching in front of other coaches/colleagues to get used to the external influence, and try out some new things with your clients. See how thing worked or didn't work.
Get some more feedback about your coaching, and see how far you have come.
Ask people if they think you are coaching to the next level, and believe them when they say yes!
Sort out references and coaching hours. Once you have told people you are going to do it, they will keep asking you when...
Make the application, and celebrate having done so.
When the day comes, plan it so that you are ready, relaxed and confident when you make the call.
Jenny Bird – PCC
do it!
keep records of clients in a format and with info appropriate for ICF from outset
get permission from all clients if you may from time to time divulge their contact details for your own professional accreditation only (so you don't have to contact them all at the point of going for accreditation)
promote ICF at all times as a demonstration of your dedication to professional standards
Patience. And if you hate the administration part of it then ask your VPA to do it for you. Don’t rush on it, do it with time.
Don’t underestimate the exams, ICF takes this seriously and I know people who failed, so behave as a Professional Coach, before, during and after the certification process.
Jilly Shaul MCC
Be sure you keep records from day one
Take it one step at a time and be methodical
Believe that it IS worthwhile and contact credentialed coaches for advice
and
It is NOT rocket science (anyone with a grain of sense can do it with
their hands tied behind their back)
Joyce Chiu Broadbent PCC
attend a Credentialing Workshop
get a good mentor coach who is familiar and updated with the process.
Kate Edmonds PCC
Start keeping a client hours log immediately. If you haven’t, do it now and then maintain it. It’s a total schlep to do from scratch when you’re applying as the information is never in the right place (don’t I know it? I’ve just completed my MCC log! And I didn’t follow my own advice – it took about 15 hours of boring admin to do it)
Collect your training certificates as you go along too and keep them together somewhere safe where you’ll remember.
Just do it! Commit to getting credentialed and tell people you’re working towards your ACC,PCC whatever. It gives you pride and a sense of purpose.
“Include in your welcome pack or first session, a request to be able to include a client’s details in any future submission to the ICF (or other body) for credentialing purposes” – I certainly wish I had! As I now do my MCC application I’m having to dig out email addresses for over 100 clients and writing for their permission. The ICF told me it’s acceptable to do it “pre-emptively” as described above, but too late for me.
Lisa Wynn MCC
Don't try and go it alone - whether or not it is required, get a mentor coach who already has a PCC or an MCC designation who can give you feedback and support you in preparing for the live exam.
Download the application form, print it off and take the application step by step - it actually isn't a complicated process at all.
Prepare early - the windows open January 1st and July 1st for portfolio applications so download the new form as soon as it is available and be prepared in plenty of time so that you are not rushing to do the application.
Enjoy it! It really builds your coaching skills and if you can do it in a relaxed way you will benefit far more from the process.
Marianne Craig MCC
When you start working with a new client ask permission to include them on your ICF client log.
Set up the client log now and add clients details every few months.
Martin Haworth – ACC
Get your processes in order early for the evidence you will need to provide.
Do either the teleclass (my preference) or the one day prep class through the ICF.
Get intimate with the competencies and ethics early too (from the website at www.coachfederation.org.uk).
Get a good accredited coach to practice on for your oral and give you feedback - hopefully constructive!
Be yourself in the oral and have time scaled actions agreed with the 'client' who is your examiner.
Rachel Spooncer PCC
Stay calm. It seemed very daunting at first but wasn’t as complicated as it seemed.
Check out the format for submitting coaching hours as soon as you can so you can ensure your systems allow easy transfer of information.
Find a ‘buddy’ who is going through the process to support and motivate each other.
Ray Lamb ACC
Build a plan of what needs to be done and do things in a step by step way, accumulating the required data etc. as you go. For me this helped reduce the initial feeling of overwhelm.
Talk to people about any problems that you have
Follow the process as defined on the web site.
Richard Bentley PCC
Start keeping records of your coaching and training hours in the format ICF requires immediately. Don't wait.
Whatever coaching model/training you are adopting, review the ICF coaching competencies regularly to see if you feel your coaching is deploying them.
Get feedback on your coaching regularly from an experienced coach, e.g. a mentor coach or through buddy coaching
Attend an ICF credentialing workshop
Form a self-help group with other coaches going for the credential
In the oral exam, focus on demonstrating the coaching core competencies, rather than coming up with an impressive solution to what the assessor brings as an issue
If you are going to be taking the PCC written exam, ensure you have conversations about coaching issues and different client scenarios
Above all, connect with the assessor in the oral exam using active listening and coaching presence competencies
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