| From the Editor
This past month my home in seacoast New Hampshire has been slammed with snowstorm after snowstorm. As a teacher and a student, it was hard for me not to stress out about the multiple snow days my university had to take. It threw off my class planning, meetings had to be rescheduled, and there were many days I was stranded inside my house because the roads were impassible. I spent hours and hours worrying that there was no way I could get everything done when Mother Nature kept throwing me curveballs. Eventually, I was able to appreciate the weather for what it was truly offering: an opportunity to relax. I hope whatever area in the world you’re in, whatever the weather, you’re able to find these moments to relax, too! They certainly are important. This month our contributors offer updates about new progress and changes at the IAC, better understanding of coaching triad dynamics, and how to best embrace our own unique experiences. Please enjoy and comment, create a discussion! Is there something you’d like to see in the VOICE? A particular subject you’d like us to address? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at voice@certifiedcoach.org with comments, questions, event notices, or article contributions. We are always looking for new perspectives and look forward to hearing from you. Best,
Beth Ann Miller is an MFA candidate in Writing and is a native New Englander. She has a professional background in editing and higher education, and enjoys working with youths in the arts. Her stories have appeared in online and print journals and she is perpetually at work on new creative projects.
Contents From the President – Vicki Zanini Path to Mastery: Lessons in Mastery From the Far East – Ed Britton Masteries Practitioner – Natalie Tucker Miller We Are All On Our Own Journey – Samina Ali Licensing Committee Column – Charlie Boyer IAC Coaches Reading Club From the President Greetings, The IAC has always been blessed to be able to attract members who want to be involved at a deeper level, who have a great commitment to the Masteries, and have put their heart and soul into the association! Coaches understand the importance of having supportive communities as a way to grow professionally and personally. The IAC continues to offer interesting ways for members to become engaged. To highlight a couple of these important communities, I’d like to remind everyone of a couple of the ways you can get involved. IAC Chapters have been part of the IAC family for years. There are Chapters around the world, both in person and virtual, and all coaches are invited and encouraged to find one that best suits their needs. The Path to Mastery is a coaching triad program that members have been raving about. Ed Britton continues to help members find triads that best align with their coaching goals, and provides all the materials necessary to have a successful experience. You can find out more here. There are, of course, other ways to get involved, through groups or through volunteering or even just availing yourselves of the members benefits. You’re always invited to submit your ideas for enhancing the member experience as well. Here’s a peek at some of the wonderful members who have lent a hand over the years. You’ll probably recognize many of your coaching colleagues! http://www.certifiedcoach.org/index.php/join_us/friends_of_the_iac/ With Gratitude,
Path to Mastery: A Sample Observer’s Report Coaching triads provide an opportunity to be the coach, the coachee, or the observer. Being the observer of a coaching session, even — or perhaps especially — when I am also the coach, is perhaps the role most beneficial to me in terms of learning. I listen to a recorded session with one or two IAC Masteries in mind and assess the coaching in terms of a limited consideration of the Masteries. Then I’ll listen to the session again, focusing on one or two other Masteries. Here is a sample of what my observer’s comments might look like for four of the nine Masteries. This is a compilation of several observer’s reports that I have done while participating in the IAC Path to Mastery. (If you would like to participate in the IAC Path to Mastery coaching triads program, please email me at ed.britton@certifiedcoach.org) #2 Potential The coach referring to past successes was a great way to help the coachee feel their potential to succeed. This question was used effectively in follow up: Your accomplishment speaks for itself and I feel confident that you will be able to succeed in this, too. Tell me how your confidence feels to you. Tell me more about the strengths you bring to any endeavor. The coach then has the client state strengths, encouraging her to self-affirm her potential. The coachee suggested she could send 10 emails. The coach’s question “What else could you do?” expanded potential for action. Tell me something amazing that you have done that inspires confidence in yourself. The client’s answer provided an opportunity to reflect on a success, inspiring confidence – the coach used the client’s own word confidence. #3 Listening The coach focused on what the client expressed, both verbally and nonverbally. Heard the heaviness, then at session end the coach expressed how the coachee sounded lighter and energized, suggesting that this positive emotion could be used to pursue her goals. This helped the coachee to be aware of how their energetic presence could affect her achievement. Reflecting the coachee’s conversation back to the coachee supported listening, as did using the coachee’s vocabulary in questions and discussion. A question that checked in on the present “Right now, what are you feeling on a deeply emotional or spiritual level?” provided an opportunity for expression and deep listening. #5 Expressing The coach struggled with words; there was a need for more concise expression — more recounting of what the coachee had said that seemed to serve the next step in the dialogue. The pace of conversation sometimes slowed when the coach engaged. The coach shifted the conversation on a couple of occasions. The balance of dialogue favored the coach a bit too much. Perhaps questions that are simple and less directive, such as “Tell me more about that. What’s underneath that?” or, simply, “And?” or, “Go on,” or “What else?” would be more effective. #9 Support The coach asked how he could be of help. He helped the coachee identify support and resources that were familiar, comfortable and had proven effective to her in her own past, positive experiences. He made a list during the session and provided this list in conclusion, as well as in an email after the session. The coach could have offered to touch base with the coachee during the week to provide additional support. Let’s have some comments! What are your approaches to an observer’s report?
2015 ushers in many positive changes to the IAC. By now you’ve likely heard that the IAC web presence is going through a significant make-over, as well as greater clarity around the pathways a coach can take to the practitioner and certification designations. One exciting and important development in this pathway is the manner in which the Masteries Practitioner designation is awarded. After many months of discussion and review of the process, the IAC is pleased to announce that beginning immediately, when a coach passes the Step One online exam, and has completed the initial Learning Agreement Proposal review with a certifier or reviewer, they will earn the IAC Masteries Practitioner designation. The IAC recognizes the dedication to coaching mastery required in completing these steps, and feels this honors coaches’ achievements in a substantial way. This change reinforces the commitment the IAC has to supporting coaches as they grow professionally and personally through their continued exploration of the Masteries. More and more people are becoming familiar with this important body of work that was developed over a period of almost 24 months, by over 26 coaches from 5 continents. Click on the following links to further understand the rigor that was part of the Masteries development: http://www.certifiedcoach.org/index.php/get_certified/the_iac_coaching_masteries_overview/ Ongoing exploration of the Masteries inspires greater skill and mastery, whether you are new to coaching, or have been coaching for several years or decades. So thank you. Thank you for believing in yourself, trusting the coaching process, and the understanding the power of masterful coaching by fully integrating the IAC Coaching Masteries into your professional and personal life, and the lives of the clients, family and friends. Do you have a question that you’d like to ask the certifiers? Submit your questions here: http://certifiedcoachblog.typepad.com/blog/ask-the-certifiers.html.
Natalie Tucker Miller, MMC, is the Lead Certifier and a certifying examiner at the IAC, as well as Past-President. Natalie is founder of Ageless-Sages.com Publishing (www.ageless-sages.com), and creator of the literary genre, Picture Books for Elders™. Please send your questions on the IAC Coaching Masteries® and the certification process to certification@certifiedcoach.org. We Are All on Our Own Journey Everybody is an individual and has their individual life experiences. It is these experiences that make us who we are. Someone who has had a wealthy upbringing will have a completely different journey from someone who has had a less advantaged upbringing. Just like someone who has been brought up by a single parent will have a different journey from someone who has been brought up having both parents under one roof. Many factors differentiate your journey from another’s: health, wealth, upbringing, gender, sibling impact, cultural impact etc. are some of the factors which differentiate our journeys. This is probably one of the hardest things to accept: when we expect someone to understand our point and where we are coming from, it can be so disappointing when we realise that we are not being understood or our point of view is just not being seen. However, as much as we expect this from our family, our best friends and our partners, this is not always the case and will never always be the case. I am sure you can relate to these words: “I have always been there for her but she is never there for me” or “When it comes to them, I give everything and when it comes to me, they are never there.” Have you ever wondered why this is the case? When applying this to coaching, we keep in mind that it is not always possible for people to see things from our perspective or understand where we are coming from. Our minds are limited to our experiences which we have had since our childhood: even though we may have the knowledge of many things, this doesn’t necessarily mean we have experienced it all. What we have not experienced, we cannot understand in its entirety. Surely the theory is understood, but theory has to be practiced to understand it totally. When we are being understood by someone, we are being understood from their perception, their interpretation and their experiences, which are all combined to make an analysis to understand the matter at hand. Therefore, it is not a case of her/him/them not understanding you; it is a case of you within their own limitations. So next time you encounter something like this, where you are confused as to why-so-and-so just does not get you, take a deep breath and relax. They do not intend to frustrate you. As a matter of fact, they are probably struggling to be the best they can – but, again, the best they can be is within the boundaries of their experiences in their own life, which has provided them with unique perceptions and interpretations. Why not appreciate these insights and differences?
Samina is a qualified Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counselor who has a humanistic approach to her therapy. She has recently published her first book ‘Pearls Within’. This intriguing thought-provoking book unlocks how the backdrop came about on your stage taking you through a journey of self-discovery. Contact: info@saminaali.co.uk www.saminaali.co.uk Licensing Committee Corner At our February meeting, we noted that licensing applications from institutions appeared to be increasing, especially from Latin and South American countries. Applications from individuals continue at a steady rate. We have observed that applicants from Spanish-speaking countries are more numerous. Thank you, Pepe, for continuing to serve as our translator! We noted, also, that the Masteries Practitioner procedures have been clarified, so that the “M.P.” designation is granted when an individual has passed the IAC written exam and has submitted a learning agreement. Thanks to the Board of Governors for clarifying this matter. We want to remind applicants for new and renewal licenses that the “M.P.” designation is now a minimum requirement for licensure. When an application is submitted, the Committee will need to verify that an applicant is a member of IAC, has passed the IAC written exam, and has submitted a Learning Agreement. Committee members Pepe del Rio, Deb Chisholm, and Charlie Boyer welcome your suggestions and comments. Contact the Licensing Committee at licensing@certifiedcoach.org.
Charles Boyer, Ed.D., (Charlie), BCC, Certified Masteries Coach, is the founder of C-Star Coaching, a values-oriented practice for newer leaders, and creator of the Team 412 Project, a web-based leadership development program.
IAC Coaches Reading Club Date: Thursday, March 19th 2015 It’s THE reading and book club for coaches, and it’s all about coaching and personal development books! The book for February is going to be ‘The Success Principles’ by Jack Canfield. Another awesome selection to stir powerful conversation.
Interested in becoming a bigger part of the Reading Club? Our Reading Club facilitator, Terri Hase, is also looking for a co-facilitator to join the fun, help with book selection, and author outreach. Are you the bibliophile, and fun loving volunteer, that is perfect for the job? Contact Terri now: Treasurer@certifiedcoach.org. Congratulations to following coaches who recently earned the Masteries Practitioner Designation!
Your Feedback We’d love to get your feedback on any issue related to the IAC. Do you have any questions, concerns, encouragement or ideas for improvement regarding membership benefits, certification, the VOICE, the direction of the organization or anything else at all? Please send an email to voice@certifiedcoach.org. Please help us improve. |
Hello there, 
Ed Britton is a career and leadership coach who lives in Calgary, Canada. He also serves the IAC as the Director of Development and leads the Path to Mastery coaching triads program. Ed has a background in the physical sciences, in adult education and leadership development. After living in China for 10 years, Ed looks forward to a Canadian winter and cross country skiing! If you would like to participate in the Path to Mastery coaching triads program, please contact Ed at 
