Are you thinking about becoming a coach? 

I receive lots of inquiries from folks who are considering joining the world of coaching and want advice on how to do it. Here are the top questions I receive and my recommendations.

1. Do I need a certification?

You don't technically need certification in order to do coaching, but do consider that...

• If you plan to join a coaching platform where you'll be booked by clients through that website (vs. sourcing clients yourself), expect that you will be required to have a reputable coaching certification like ICF (International Coaching Certification).
• Coaching certifications aren't just for the stamp of approval. They also give you valuable experience practicing coaching and learning the skillsets required to support your clients' transformation and many coaches note the surprising benefit of how this experience is personally transformative through all of the peer coaching you receive. 
• Without the practice and skills behind coaching, it's totally possible that you may do harm for your clients. Being a coach can kick up a lot of our own "stuff" like self-doubt, impostor syndrome, unhealthy power dynamics, and the need to perform. Becoming certified as a coach is also about self-regulation.
• I find that coaches without certifications or training tend to be closer to mentors or advisors, which is fine, but not technically a coach. There's a science to this approach and trust me, it's worth investing in yourself and your future!
• Your company or organization might be open to investing in your development by paying for all or part of your certification. It's always worth asking!

2. Where should I get certified?

• There are tons of programs out there and because I've only been certified in one of them, I can't truly speak for or recommend others. It's easy to find the big ones out there like iPEC and Co-Active Training Institute, but for me, I really wanted a program focused on serving nonprofit, social justice, and purpose-driven leaders. 
• Most universities also have coaching programs, but they tend to be more expensive because they come with the added benefit of the prestige of that particular school - if that's your kind of thing. 😉

3. What program did you do?

• I received my ICF coaching certification through Leadership That Works in Los Angeles in a 9-month program in 2018/2019. Through the pandemic, the program has changed and decreased in size and is no longer operating in the US. 
• The coach trainers who led the Los Angeles program I took part in, Sarah Jawaid and Damon Azali-Rojas (both experienced community organizers, wildly talented coaches, and incredible educators and facilitators) now run Coaching for Healing, Justice, and Liberation, a non-profit organization that provides professional coaching training programs that build the capacity of BIPOC social justice movement leaders. If you're interested in their approach, you can order their book, Love Letter to the Movement which "brings in political analysis, centers Spirit, and offers practical examples and exercises to help deepen individual practice." 

4. What should I charge?

• One of the biggest challenges I hear from coaches starting out is around charging money. Most of us carry some messy and complex stuff around money, value, and worthiness, but here's what I always share:  When you don't charge, or undercharge, you devalue the entire field of coaching. 
• So, that being said, coach rates vary tremendously. As a good starting point, $150 per one-hour session is what I recommend, assuming you have at least one of the following:
  • Leadership experience
  • People development experience
  • Some coaching skills (like empowering questions, goal setting, facilitation, and reflective practices)
• It also really depends on who you're coaching. Are you a seasoned CEO who wants to coach other CEOs? A life coach for junior nonprofit staff? Your clients may have different expectations of cost which can have an impact on your business if you charge too little or too much so expect some trial and error. 

5. How do I get started?

• I recommend investing in a coaching program's weekend or shorter more affordable programming to see if it would be a good fit for you. Some programs also allow you to then apply this investment towards the full certification program. 
• Hire a coach! My first introduction to coaching was through The Coaching Fellowship, a non-profit which nurtures and brings together the world’s high potential young women leaders of impact by providing affordable coaching. And also...hi! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I am a coach you can hire. 

And here are the questions I invite you to reflect on if you're considering becoming a coach:

1. Why do you want to coach? 

2. Who do you most want to serve?

3. What help do you need to get there?

4. Where do you see yourself one year from now?

What other questions do you have?