by Dr. D Ivan Young, ICF Master Certified Coach
Choosing to hire a coach isn’t easy. What’s more difficult is finding the right coach for you. If you do decide to hire one, credentials matter. Your best bet is to hire an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Master Certified Coach, or a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.
There are many self-ordained coaches who aren’t qualified to guide you to the convenience store, let alone in critical areas of your life. Imagine if a doctor didn’t do anything to get certified besides calling themself a doctor.
The ICF is the gold standard in the coaching industry. This regulation is crucial since others’ lives depend on the knowledge and experience of these professionals². The ICF-MCC designation is respected globally. It takes years of demonstrated excellence to earn.
Coaching can change your life for the better, but only if your coach has been trained and vetted. When you work with an ICF Master Certified Coach, you know that they’re qualified.
But of course, you still have to find a coach who’s the right fit for you.
Being qualified and being the right coach for you are two very different things.
Let’s look into finding the right ICF Master Certified Coach for you.
How Do You Choose the Right ICF Master Certified Coach for You?
Choosing an ICF Master Certified Coach who’s a good fit for you is a subjective process.
But there are some qualities you shouldn’t compromise on when making your decision.
1. Find a coach who specializes in the areas you need help with.
Odds are, you have several goals for different areas of your life. But what made you want to hire a coach in the first place?
Find an ICF Master Certified Coach or a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach who specializes in the types of goals you have. Are you looking for a coach who can help you develop leadership skills for your career? Or to help you live a healthier, more rewarding life?
Do you need someone who specializes in couples counseling for you and your partner?
Make sure your coach understands what you want to get out of the process.
2. Work with a coach who’s compatible with you.
This is where a free consultation call comes into play.
You can’t give coaching your full attention and energy if you don’t feel comfortable with your coach.
You don’t have to be best friends, but they should make you feel supported. If they make you feel uncomfortable rather than at ease, you should find another coach.
Keep in mind you might be uncomfortable because seeking a coach is out of your comfort zone. Consider where these feelings are coming from.
Then, you can choose the right coach for you.
3. Seek out a coach who hasn’t given up on themself.
Some professionals get too comfortable and stop seeking out opportunities to grow themselves. You want a coach who values their own development, not one who believes they know all there is to know.
Choose a coach who demonstrates curiosity and an eagerness to learn.
You can also look at their public engagement. Do they post helpful content on social media? Do they do educational talks online or in person?
You can tell which coaches invest in their own growth.
4. Choose a coach with similar values or experiences.
It often feels good when you know you’re not alone.
Many ICF Master Certified Coaches have been through similar challenges as their clients. They might have similar values. It also helps when they’ve coached other individuals with similar backgrounds or circumstances.
Choosing a coach who understands you can go a long way in building a relationship of trust and respect.
Even if they haven’t gone through your exact situation, they can draw on their personal experiences and client interactions to help you.
So before you choose a coach to guide you, make sure they have the qualities you value.
I share my personal experiences often because I’ve been where most of my clients are.
My Path to Becoming an ICF Master Certified Coach
I obtained my MCC and my NBC-HWC credentials because I wanted to be the best of the best.
I didn’t realize that the pursuit of this credential would further my personal and professional evolution. This is what you want to look for in an ICF Master Certified Coach. The best ones usually embody their own methodology.
I encountered many obstacles on my way to becoming an ICF Master Certified Coach.
Along the way, I:
- Opened and closed a business that I thought I was ready for.
- Lost the support of people I thought would be there for me.
- Failed my test for my National Board certification exam.
- Didn’t pass my ICF exam.
But I persevered and now I’m committed to helping my clients do the same.
When you’re committed to improving your life, and you’re ready to go beyond what’s required, hiring an ICF Master Certified Coach is a great choice for you.
ICF Master Certified Coaches are sought after by Fortune 500 companies, licensed professionals, high-net-worth individuals, C-suite executives, and public figures for good reason. Leading healthcare organizations and physician-led practice groups seek out National Board Certified coaches.
Those who get through an ICF-certified coaching program and a National Board Health and Wellness Coaching program have proven their dedication and commitment to excellence over and over again. Both organizations place an emphasis on continued education and professional development.
So if you want a coach who’s walked the walk, seek out an ICF Master Certified Coach.
What’s Required to Become an ICF Master Certified Coach?
Coaches have to meet the following qualifications for the MCC credential¹.
- Over 200 hours of coaching education.
- More than 2,500 hours of coaching.
- Previously held, or currently holding, an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential. Most MCC’s have other credentials.
Then, they must complete ten hours of mentor coaching, pass a rigorous performance evaluation, and pass the ICF Credentialing exam.
There are many other requirements. The 2,500 hours of experience must be with at least thirty-five different clients.
The average ICF Master Certified Coach holds at least a Masters Degree and is a published author and researcher.
The NBC-HWC designation is the most rigorously regulated credential in the health and wellness field. The holders of this credential have successfully completed a challenging certification exam administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners. They’ve met exceptionally high practice standards, by demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of behavioral modification, patient adherence, and evidence-based healthcare coaching approaches.
If you can find a coach with both credentials, you’ve hit the coaching jackpot.
Out of over 50,000 ICF credentialed coaches globally, around four percent hold the MCC credential.
Anyone who becomes an ICF Master Certified Coach has put in an incredible amount of time and energy to develop the skills they need to work with clients who need help with complicated life issues.
The Qualities of a Successful ICF Master Certified Coach
Most of the qualities I described above fall under the ICF Core Competencies. There are four main categories of critical attributes for ICF Master Certified Coaches.
1. Foundation.
Foundation involves ethical coaching practices and embodying a coaching mindset.
An ethical ICF Master Certified Coach demonstrates, among other qualities, integrity, sensitivity, and professionalism.
Like I said before, it’s important to engage a coach who hasn’t given up on themself. A coaching mindset embraces curiosity and flexibility.
2. Co-creating the relationship.
ICF Master Certified Coaches should set clear expectations and foster an environment of trust and safety. They should also be fully present in sessions and empathetic in their coaching.
This is why it’s important to choose a coach who’s compatible with you and your goals.
3. Communicating effectively.
An effective ICF Master Certified Coach listens with the intention of understanding what the client says. They should also tune in to what they’re not saying.
Sometimes clients hold back during coaching sessions. A good coach should be able to recognize that and cultivate a safe and welcoming environment.
Furthermore, ICF Master Certified Coaches equip clients with the tools they need to make their own decisions.
4. Cultivating learning and growth.
Coaches are not meant to tell you exactly what you need to do and when.
The coaching process is a collaboration. An experienced coach will encourage your autonomy and help you gain clarity around your goals and how to achieve them.
This is why I recommend a coach who specializes in what you need help with and who understands what you’re going through, either firsthand or through their interactions with other clients.
The decision to hire a coach should not be taken lightly.
So if you’re looking for a committed ICF Master Certified Coach, visit my website and book a call to see if we’re a good fit.
And if you want support to work toward your ICF certification, look into my ICF mentor coaching.
Bio – Dr. D Ivan Young is an expert on human behavior and relationships. He’s a Master Credentialed expert on personality type, an ICF credentialed Master Certified Coach, a Certified Professional Diversity Coach, and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Dr. Young is also a member of the prestigious Forbes Coaches Council.