If you’ve decided that you want to become a coach you’re probably already excited about making powerful transformation a bigger part of the work you do in the world. Naturally you’re curious about how certification works – can you do coaching certification online? Do you need to choose a residential course? And what do you need to be aware of when choosing a coaching training program?
No two coaches are the same
Every coach embarks on their journey to certification with a totally unique background, set of experiences, and motivation.
You might be planning to add coaching tools to your existing work as a manager or a leader in a corporate setting. You’re confident that coaching is going to be the missing piece when it comes to radically shifting the results that are possible – in an environment that brings the very best out of the people you work with.
Or maybe you’re ready to go it alone. You want to set up your own business and run it exactly how you want to you – perhaps offer coaching sessions via Skype or phone from your home, and you’re wondering if you could do the certification process remotely too.
Here are some things to consider when choosing the coaching certification that’s right for you.
Coaching certification online
The beauty of technology means that these days it’s perfectly possible to undertake coaching training online from anywhere in the world.
Profound transformation can take place over video call; you can observe coaching sessions and receive feedback on your own practice remotely; and trainers can answer questions, provide support and help you reflect on challenges from anywhere in the world.
Advantages
- Convenient no matter where you are or how easy it is for you to travel: if you’ve got an internet connection, you’re good to go
- If you’re planning on coaching remotely, it makes sense to complete your training in the same format
- You can choose the training provider that’s right for you regardless of their location
Disadvantages
- If you’re on the other side of the world, timezones can be an issue – always check the times of live components to make sure you don’t miss out
- If you never meet your peers or teachers face to face, it can take longer to develop rapport
- Completing certification from your own environment means you’ll need to be disciplined about creating the appropriate space to learn
Coaching certification in-person
In a world that’s ever more connected digitally, face-to-face interaction has a unique quality. It feels richer and more potent than ever. The connection we feel and the learning we’re able to experience when we’re physically present has a very different quality to it. And the very act of travelling to a different location can help facilitate an even deeper learning experience.
So what are the pros and cons of completing your coaching certification in person?
Advantages
- If you’re going to be coaching in person, for example of part of managing the team, having training that takes into account your body language and presentation is invaluable
- No need to worry about creating an appropriate place to learn – that’s all taken care of for you
- If you’re a kinaesthetic learner, in person training is likely to match your learning style better
- The intense nature of setting aside back to back training days, means lessons can be integrated more deeply without the interruption of every-day life
- You’ll make closer friends with your cohort of trainees- people who will be your peer support group as you venture into your new profession or role
Disadvantages
- There may be additional costs for travel and accommodation
- Your choice of training provider will be limited by your ability to travel
- Your time commitment may need to be greater
What about a blend of the two?
Finally, there is the option of undertaking a certification which blends online and off-line components. This means you get to combine some of the advantages of both virtual and live courses. For example, we teach much of our own coaching certification remotely – allowing our trainees to observe coaching sessions, experience coaching, and be mentored on their practice.
Our five day intensive, on the other hand, is held in person and live. It’s when our coaching trainees come together in person to experience deep transformation and connect with their peers and our trainers in real life. At the moment it’s not an experience we think can be replicated online, meaning our global trainees travel to the UK to experience that part of the training. (They’ve flown to the UK from Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Switzerland, Germany and the USA so far!)
Advantages
- Different learning styles will suit different teaching methods, and you’ll get to experience the full range
- Learning how to coach both in person and online will give you an insight into the differences each format brings to your coaching practice
- Travel costs and time commitment will be significantly reduced if you can complete part of the training at home
- A live component will allow you to connect more deeply with your training provider and your fellow students meaning your post-graduation support network is profound
- Virtual spaces to learn and connect with trainers and peers can support you wherever you are in the world, no matter where your coaching takes you!
Disadvantages
- You’ll still be responsible for some travel, and possibly accommodation
- Dates for live elements are likely to be planned well in advance, and might not be flexible
- Connections that are made in person may have to be maintained online depending on your proximity to the other trainees
However you do it, coaching training is transformational
When you train as a coach, you’re learning how to use tools and techniques that can create huge transformation for people.
During coach training you not only learn to work with these tools with your prospective clients, but you also experience what it’s like to receive coaching yourself.
So it’s important you choose the environment that is right for you, and which fits with both your learning style and the vision you have for your future coaching practice.
If you’re trying to make a decision about which coaching certification to choose right now and would like to talk through what’s available with a member of our team we’d be really happy to help. Just click here to contact us and we’ll be in touch to arrange the best time for a call.
Our intention is simple. To support professional women to handle the day-to-day so they can unleash the bigger impact they feel called to make in the world.
We believe real leadership is less about skill, and more about having a well of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual strength to draw on. Every week we support thousands of grassroots leaders globally with our free articles, videos and online trainings with powerful tools and methodologies created BY women FOR women.
Become One of many™ women creating strong, meaningful connections in our community.
Our intention is simple. To support professional women to handle the day-to-day so they can unleash the bigger impact they feel called to make in the world.
We believe real leadership is less about skill, and more about having a well of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual strength to draw on. Every week we support thousands of grassroots leaders globally with our free articles, videos and online trainings with powerful tools and methodologies created BY women FOR women.
Become One of many™ women creating strong, meaningful connections in our community.
Having experienced not just health and sickness, but also success and failure, marriage and divorce, wealth and poverty, Annie now knows that real growth is not another ‘let’s make it all ok’ campaign. It’s about finding the truth at the core of ourselves so that we have the inner freedom to deal with whatever life throws at us.
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