Overview
Understanding The Coaching Masteries ® and being able to apply them appropriately in a live coaching session can be best achieved through study, practice, self- and colleague-feedback, and integrating The Coaching Masteries ® into your life and business.
The purpose of The Coaching Masteries ® is to provide the basis and standards for a truly independent certifying body, without allegiance to any coach training schools or organizations.
Our goal is to create a vehicle for evaluating effective coaching in the moment. Specifically, the IAC® certification focuses on masterful coaching skills that are observable and can be measured by our examiners during recorded, forty-five minute sessions with different clients.
The Coaching Masteries ® were developed by an international team of coaches to produce clear standards and measures for what constitutes the highest level of coaching, and that can be understood in any culture around the world. Over a 24 month period, the team that developed The Coaching Masteries ® worked diligently to provide this model. The 4 phases of development and implementation were created by teams of coaches from multiple countries and a variety of coaching models.
Below is a description of the Masteries including the Titles, Definitions, Effects and Key Elements. The links (for members only) provide a listing of the Distinctions, Effective Behaviors, Ineffective Behaviors, Measures, Common Mistakes Coaches Make and Indicators the Coach Understands the Mastery for each Mastery that are used to assess the level of coaching mastery that happens within a coaching session.
Review The Coaching Masteries®
The Coaching Masteries® E-book
The complete IAC Coaching Masteries® E-book is available to IAC® Members through the Member Dashboard, and can be purchased on-line by non-members for $27.00.
Coach Training
There are hundreds of coaching schools worldwide available to educate and train new coaches. Their offerings can range from a single weekend to 24-month programs. Some schools are industry-accredited or affiliated with coaching associations; some are not. Some programs teach general life coaching skills; others focus on a particular coaching niche or specialty. With all these choices, it’s challenging for beginning coaches to determine which school is the best fit.
Checklist to choose the right coach training for you
Look for a school or program that:
- Has a curriculum based on The Coaching Masteries ®, the IAC Ethical Principles and the IAC Code of Ethics
- Offers industry-accepted certification or other measurement to ensure graduates have accomplished adequate learning and skills mastery from the program
- Provides ample opportunity for students to practice and receive direct feedback on their coaching skills
- Is facilitated by trainers who have demonstrated coaching mastery through their own education, certification and professional experience
- Offers the opportunity to “test-drive” the program through a free orientation, curriculum outline, discussion with the trainer(s), and/or graduate references
School Accreditation
Starting January 1st, 2022, the School Accreditation replaces the Masteries Licensing model. Experienced and novice coaches worldwide are turning to the Masteries as their preference for professional development and certification because they apply in all cultures and aspects of life and business.
Coach mentors and coach training programs are also turning to The Coaching Masteries ® to expand their offerings and resources for their coach trainees by becoming IAC Accredited Schools. The School Accreditation creates various opportunities for mentors and teachers to support coaches to move toward becoming IAC-Masteries Practitioner, IAC-Certified Coach and IAC-Master Coach.
Here are some additional factors to consider as you research coaching schools:
- Do you prefer in-person training or a virtual (teleclass/webinar) program?
- Do you want general coaching skills or more specialized training?
- What are the pre-qualifications for admission, if any?
- Does the class size align with your preferred learning style?
- What kind of ongoing or follow-up support does the program offer?
- Does the program teach marketing and business development in addition to coaching skills?
- What is the success rate of program graduates?