Did you know? There are currently 53,300 coaches as of writing according to the International Coaching Federation. If you’re an aspiring or current executive coach, how exactly do you choose the right coaching program?

If you’ve wondered about it, you’re in the right place. This article will tell you how to choose the right coaching program.

But before we dive into the details, let’s discuss what an executive coach program is first.

What Is an Executive Coach Program?

An executive coach program is a set of training sessions or modules designed for executive coaches.

The program equips executive coaches with the right skills to take their careers to the next level. These skills include but are not limited to communication, building confidence, and motivation.

On top of that, a professional executive coaching certification offers a huge return on investment (ROI). According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), executive coaches enjoy an ROI amounting to $4.30 to $7.90 per $1 invested.

Seems like a rewarding, low-risk investment, right?

Preparing for Your Search

Before you start looking for a coaching program, ask yourself the following:

• Why do you want to learn coaching? Is it casual upskilling? Is it because you want to be a professional coach?
• How flexible is your schedule for learning?
• How long do you plan to finish the program?
• What qualities are you looking for in a mentor?
• How do you learn new concepts and skills best (e.g. aural, physical, visual)?
• How much are you willing to spend?
• What are some of the global standards you are aware of?

After answering these questions, it’s time to search for institutions offering the appropriate courses.

5 Steps to Choosing the Right Coaching Program

An executive coach program can propel your career. For it to do so, you must choose the right coaching program.

To save you precious time, we did the research for you.

1. 1. Check the program’s objectives.

   The program’s objectives tell you what you can expect from the program. Objectives describe what skills and knowledge the program offers. Speak to people who have walked this journey to understand their perspective.

   Your goal align with the objectives of the program and hence having clarity about your own goal is essential here.

2. 2. Look for flexibility.

   We live in a busy world. A flexible coaching program lets you learn at your own pace.

   Coaching as a subject is requires reflecting on the concepts and practicing it. If someone trains you to be a coach in few days, think again. Coaching is a journey of self-transformation which surely can’t happen over few days or week. It needs time to build coaching skills and hence this is one of the main considerations.

   In short, it lets you learn whenever and wherever you want. Thus, it’s ideal to choose a flexible coaching program.

3. 3. Know the program’s accreditation.

   When choosing a coaching program, please make sure that it’s accredited by a well-known credential body like the International Coach Federation (ICF) for couple of reasons.

   1. It ensures you about your investment
   2. It ensures that the content and the faculty has gone through a rigor approval process
   3. It verifies and validates your education for future
   4. It provides you a structured path of learning and Coaching credentials that are testimony of continuous development. They let your prospects know that what you’re offering is credible.

   By being an ICF coach, you build a positive reputation for yourself, today there is no dearth of people calling themselves coach, if you choose to be one, be an authentic one.

4. 4. Vet the coach.

   We couldn’t emphasize this more―know who your coach is. Read about their accomplishments. Know their credentials and life journey. Understand what kind of person they are.

   The best way to do this? Contacting the people who have learnt from them in past. Your own judgement may not have complete information however people who have worked with them can give insight about the coach. Needless to say, listen to your heart after listening to few people, the heart will tell you the truth.

5. 5. Read what others say.

   What better way to know a coaching program than to read what others have to say about it?

   Reading reviews from real clients give you an unbiased opinion about the coaching program. These people have tried the program for themselves. If they say the program works, then it does.

Nuggets of Wisdom

Before you go, here are some pieces of wisdom you must remember:

1. Being coached is a life-transforming journey for you. You must go through this journey first so you know how to help others change.
2. Transforming others need time. Don’t give change-quick schemes and fancy promises.
3. We can give what we have. Knowing about the facilitator’s transition to be where he or she is now extremely helpful.
4. Great coaches are life-long learners, whether it’s you or the one you are looking to work with.

Interestingly, an executive coach program isn’t just for executive coaches. It is helpful for practitioners involved in global leadership coaching, professional coaching, life coaching, and team coaching as well.

Want to advance your career as an executive, leadership, team, or life coach? Contact us to see how we can help you. Cheers to your success!