by Barbra
Sundquist
OK, so you’re keen to get your IAC certification in 2009, but you perceive
some barriers to getting those two passing tapes. Here are some suggestions
to help you out.
Barrier #1:
I don’t have any paying clients to tape coaching sessions with.
Solution:
The tapes that you record for IAC certification don’t have to be with
paying clients. You can coach anyone and submit those tapes. Many coaches record
sessions with their buddy coach or triad partners. In fact, coaches make very
good subjects for certification tapes because they tend to be very “coachable”
(i.e. open, articulate and eager to take action).
Don’t know any coaches you could ask? Try attending a local coaches networking
meeting, joining an online networking site such as
Mastery Coach Exchange, or
posting an invitation on a coach discussion board such as
Coactive Network,
NewCoachConnection or
CoachTalk.
If you are enrolled in a training program, ask your instructors for suggestions.
And don’t overlook your fellow students: they will likely be just as keen
as you to link up with a practice partner.
Another option is to ask family, friends and colleagues if they would be interested
in being coached, or if they would like to refer someone. You can say something
like, “I’m working towards my coach certification. Normally I charge
$X for a 30-minute coaching session, but I’d be willing to coach you for
free (or a reduced rate) in exchange for letting me record the call.”
And don’t be shy about asking – remember, you are giving them the
gift of coaching!
Barrier #2:
I don’t have a way to make recordings.
Solution:
For years I have been recommending
Audio Acrobat for making mp3 recordings. AudioAcrobat is great (it’s the service I use) but it costs $20 a month.
Here’s a free alternative:
Calliflower is a new service that gives you
a free bridge line and mp3 recording of your call.
Barrier #3:
I did my coach training using the 15 Proficiencies, and now the IAC is using
the IAC Coaching Masteries™. Do I have to relearn everything?
Solution:
No, you don’t have to relearn everything. You can relax. Think of the
IAC Coaching Masteries™ as being a big umbrella, under which most coaching
models fit comfortably.
The skills you learned with the 15 Proficiencies (or other coaching models)
will serve you well in the IAC certification process.
Not convinced? Consider for a moment the Mastery titles – such as Clarifying;
Engaged Listening; Inviting Possibility. Doesn’t that sound like what
most coaching schools teach? They may call the skills by different names, but
the ideas remain the same.
So my question for you: will 2009 be your year for
adding IAC-CC after your name? I sure hope so!
Barbra Sundquist, IAC-CC is a Certified Mentor Coach and
former IAC certifying examiner. Barbra is re-opening her popular IAC certification
membership program in January 2009. This program provides live classes, practice
partners, feedback and assessment for a low monthly fee. To find out more, click
here: http://www.becomeacertifiedcoach.com/join.htm.
Even though this is a year and a half old, Barbra’s advice is right on. I would also suggest freeconferencecalling.com for these reasons: It’s free! You can manage your calls from your phone or your computer. You can record and save more than one recording per call. This is very helpful in a triad if several people are making recordings on one call. You can make a recording public or private, a podcast, or an embeded player for a web site.
So practice with clients or coach buddies, then listen back on your sessions to see how you did on each of the masteries. It’s a great way to critique yourself.