Why Bother With ICF Credentials?

From The Heart

I recently renewed my MCC (Master Certified Coach with the ICF) for the 5th time making me an MCC for the past 15 years. When I received the certificate indicating that I was certified again until 2024, it really got me thinking about my “Why” when it comes to the work necessary to first achieve and then maintain this credential or any credential for that matter. I mean who really cares if I have an ICF certification? What does it matter in the big picture?

It is a good question especially considering the time, effort, energy, and money it takes to be able to call yourself an ICF Certified Coach. Additionally, unless you are doing corporate or executive coaching where HR is involved and 

understands the various certifications and levels, there really isn’t a reason to have an ICF certification, in terms of monetary gain. Our typical clients do not know the difference when hiring us and most likely will not know the difference when we are coaching them. So... why in the world would we put ourselves through such a rigorous process and invest so many resources in this professional credential?

Why Bother With ICF Credentials?

After giving it some thought, here are the answers I came up with for myself as to WHY I got certified to begin with, why I got the highest level possible, and why I continue to re-certify.

1. The Challenge:

   I am a lifetime learner. I am assuming you are too. What better thing to learn deeply than the elements of the work you love. I appreciate being challenged and welcome the opportunity to stretch and grow. Becoming an MCC was one of the most challenging things I have ever done for myself in terms of stretching, transforming, becoming more authentically myself, and living in my higher self while letting go of my lower self. I am so appreciative of the journey to MCC in helping me become more resilient, more emotionally intelligent and more balance in my life and work. At first, the journey to MCC may appear as if it were exclusively applied academics, because it is partially. But once we step on the path towards MCC, it becomes clear that it is also a journey of personal transformation making coaching easier for you and more effective for your clients. All while creating a bold, authentic sense of self for the coach practitioner.

2. I care:

   I committed myself and my work life to be a coach way back in 1996. At this point, I am sure I have coached one on one over 30,000 hours (I lost count years ago), not to mention group coaching, teaching coaching, assessing coaching, mentor coaching, speaking about coaching, writing about coaching, reading about coaching, etc., etc. Since I am committed to the profession and myself in the role of coach, it only made sense to me to commit to the highest level of certification possible. So even if no one cares that I have studied the mastery of coaching, I do.

3. Opportunities:

   Since becoming a Certified Coach, I have been invited to participate in so many things that would otherwise not be open to me that I really have grown to love and appreciate. Just to mention a few, the ability to be an Assessor with the International Coach Federation, a Mentor Coach at the University of Texas in Dallas, Faculty Member at CoachU, etc. In fact, hardly a month goes by when I am not offered some opportunity to become involved in some amazing coach-related project both inside the profession and outside of it as well. I have an embarrassment of opportunity and the hard part is being able/willing to say no to most of them.

4. Impact:

   Having the opportunities I just mentioned allows me to have impact on the profession. There is nothing I love more than guiding coaches to have what they want from their experience as a coach. This is my calling and having the credential puts me in the perfect position to be able to do and be what I love most.

5. Practicality:

   At some point, the governments of the world will step in and require government licenses from those of us calling ourselves coaches. This is actually one of the many reasons that the ICF was created. Because when they do, (not if, when) the ICF will have the most rigorous programs, ethics and trainings to qualify and will be looked to as the standard for what it means to be a coach in this world. I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of the recognized leader in the coaching industry.

I am not sharing all this to brag, but rather to encourage and support you on your journey to having everything you want from coaching.

• Why do you want to achieve and keep your ICF credential?
• What do you need to do to continue your journey?

I look forward to continuing to walk with you on your path.
With Love,

Jille

Upcoming Events

Marketing With Love:

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Please mark your calendar for the new start date below.

What if I told you that there is a way to take the YUCK out of sales and marketing to fill your business. What if you knew how to tap into your authentic sense of love for the work that you do and the people you serve and stand tall in your ability to communicate that love to them. In this course we will work together to discover the REAL LOVE that resides in you and how to get that out into the world so that your perfect clients can see you. Love as a Marketing Strategy is one of the most important pieces of work I have ever created, and I can’t wait to share this course with you. MARK YOUR CALENDAR. This course will begin on Tuesday, September 14th at 3 p.m. eastern and runs for 6 consecutive weeks. Registration opens in June. Learn to LOVE your way to IMPACT and SUCCESS.

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ACC Renewal or Mentor Coaching Group – Starts September 16th – November 11th just in time to get your renewal into the ICF by the end of the year or get the Mentor Coaching You need for your program completion. Don’t wait!!!

This group meets once a week for 9 weeks and provides you with 7 hours of group mentor coaching. (The ICF will only accept 7 Group Coaching hours, the rest have to be one on one) You are welcome to attend all 9 sessions, but you must attend at least 7 to get the necessary hours you will need for renewal.
Group Sessions include peer coaching, feedback, discussion, and exploration of the ICF Core Competencies.

ONLY 10 Spots in this group. This group will sell out and as people are already registering for it!! Don’t wait!!!

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Original email sent 7/2021

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