Business Coaching Certification - 3 Questions

In a world where certifications abound, it isn't difficult to acquire one. We all want to become more visible in a crowd - more recognized for our accomplishments. Business coaching certification definitely distinguishes one person from another in some respect, but it becomes a bit confusing when a person can acquire a certificate without being an effective coach.

Most business coaching certification programs are about completing some form of education or training. There are many good training/educational programs for coaches today, ranging broadly in scope and content. Some training is best delivered in a classroom or online, but much of the most impacting training happens in the real world - playing the game for real as a business owner, leader or manager. Academic training can be theoretical. It's a lot different when you have to hire, train, manage, review, fire and actually hold your own people accountable. It means something more, when you have experienced your own wins and losses, if nothing more than to give you greater empathy as a coach. In its varied forms, training is very important and should be recognized, especially when it is current, continuous and relevant.

Sometimes business coaching certification recognizes a coach's ethics - how they conduct themselves with business clients. Core values are a bit hard to measure, but it's easy to understand why they would be important in distinguishing one coach from another.

Ultimately, the certification should highlight an individual's effectiveness in his or her business coaching role. Training is important, but meaningless without the ability to apply the training to produce real results. Ethics and values are critically important, but still meaningless if the coach can't bring the best out in the people being coached.

When considering a certification program, ask these 3 questions:

1. Will the content and methodology I am being trained to deliver produce real results when applied to a business? (Is the content and methodology based more upon theory or real-world experience, principles and practical tools?)

2. Does this certification program take my values and ethics into consideration?

3. Will this certification recognize my effectiveness as a business coach in helping individuals within businesses to become their best?

Business coaching certification that includes measures for all three areas - training, ethics and effectiveness - provides a meaningful standard by which to differentiate one coach from another.

1. Will the content and methodology I am being trained to deliver produce real results when applied to a business? (Is the content and methodology based more upon theory or real-world experience, principles and practical tools?)

2. Does this certification program take my values and ethics into consideration?

3. Will this certification recognize my effectiveness as a business coach in helping individuals within businesses to become their best?

Business coaching certification that includes measures for all three areas - training, ethics and effectiveness - provides a meaningful standard by which to differentiate one coach from another.

1. Will the content and methodology I am being trained to deliver produce real results when applied to a business? (Is the content and methodology based more upon theory or real-world experience, principles and practical tools?)

2. Does this certification program take my values and ethics into consideration?

3. Will this certification recognize my effectiveness as a business coach in helping individuals within businesses to become their best?

Business coaching certification that includes measures for all three areas - training, ethics and effectiveness - provides a meaningful standard by which to differentiate one coach from another.