IAC VOICE, Volume 4, Issue 29, August 2008, Circulation: 12,546


Kerch

From the Editor

August is the end of summer here
in the US and while my kids are all grown it still feels like the lull before
the start of a new school year. And true to form there are big changes coming
to the IAC. Check out
President Angela Spaxman’s article about the Masteries and the financial
stabilities of the organization. Find out
how to update your own website from Tech Coach
Sandra De Freitas. New this month is an audio file
to teach you about Mastery 3 and
information about how to use a mentor coach.
There is a follow up by Marion Franklin to last month’s cell
phone article.

This is my last issue as editor and while
it’s not been a long association,
it has certainly been a great learning experience.
My best wishes for continuing success of
the IAC.

Kerch McConlogue, CPCC, PCC
Editor, IAC VOICE
Email: voice@certifiedcoach.org
Web: www.mapthefuture.com



Angela

From the President

by Angela
Spaxman


president@certifiedcoach.org

Coaches who are working towards IAC Certification
are like Olympic athletes striving towards
excellence. This process of certification
prompts coaches to reach for their best,
building their muscles of acceptance, honesty,
clarity and love. Those skills may not win
them any medals, but they achieve good in
the world by the way they lift others and
the way they cherish themselves. I want
to give a hearty cheer to all those champions
who are pushing their own coaching abilities
to the limit of greatness, and also to those
teachers and mentors of coaching who are
helping others to reach for excellence.
You all do our profession proud. You are
the soul of the IAC.

This
summer we’ve been working on two major projects.
The first is to complete the first ever
audit of the IAC’s financial records. We
intend to set a benchmark through this project
for our financial professionalism that will
serve as a foundation as we grow. Our thanks
go to our Treasurer Jean
Gran
for leading this project.

Secondly, we are working on the final legal
documentation for the IAC Coaching Masteries
Licensing Program that will enable us to
better support all those coaching schools
and mentors who want to help coaches achieve
IAC Certification. I’m very excited about
this initiative because it will allow us
to better connect coaches-in-training with
the resources that can move them effectively
to achieving certification. This important
step for the IAC has been years in the making
through hundreds of hours of volunteer effort.
I expect to be able to announce the details
this fall.

Cheers,
Angela Spaxman
President, IAC
Email:
president@certifiedcoach.org

Web:
www.lovingworkandleading.com




Updates on the Masteries:
Especially for Non Members

We’re now providing more
information about the IAC Coaching Masteries™ to the general public, available
on-line

here
. Previously there was only a list of the Masteries without any
description of what they mean or what they look like. Now you can see the
Definitions, Effects and Key Elements of each of the Masteries. Information on
the Distinctions, Effective Behaviours, Ineffective Behaviours and Measures is
available in the e-book available to members
here. It
can also be purchased by non-members

here
.




Words of Wisdom for Easy Web Presence
by
Sandra De Freitas

Dear Tech Coach:

I know I need a website so people can find
out about my philosophy of coaching and
get an idea of whether we might be able
to work together. But my last web person
was so (grumble, grumble, grumble). I don’t
know who to call next. I’m tired of hunting
out an über Geek to do the work. Isn’t there
a way I can do all this myself? Why does
it have to be so complicated?
Signed,
Frustrated

Dear Frustrated:
You are definitely in luck. The times are
changing and now you can easily manage your
web presence on your own schedule AND with
just about no new skills. (Maybe an hour’s
help from a low level geek, and then you’re
on your own.)

How, you ask? Get a Blogsite!
Here’s just part of the reason:

A traditional website is created with html
and contains a number of static pages that
rarely change. When you want to modify or
add a page you either need to know html,
have expensive software to update it or
have a web person who will update it when
they have time. It soon becomes a painful
and time consuming process, so much so that
you may not update your website for months
or even years.

A blogsite combines the features of a website
(static pages) and the features of a blog
(the ability to add articles, tips and promotions
through blog posts) into one easy to maintain
site. A blogsite can be updated from any
computer in the world with internet access.
Yes, even MACs.

More
good news:

Google and other search engines are giving
priorities to blogs over traditional websites
for many reasons. Blogs are updated with
fresh content more frequently than traditional
sites and they are structured to make it
easier for Google to find, index and add
them to their list of results.

Make it easy for Google and you reap the
vast rewards.

Just
like with a regular site, with blogsites
you can:

  • Create static pages such as “our
    services,” “contact us” etc.
  • Add to your site by posting articles, tips,
    promotions, etc.
  • Interact with web visitors and start building
    a relationship with them.
  • Promote your newsletter, services, affiliate
    programs and products.

But
with a blogsite you can also:

  1. Maintain
    your own website without a computer science
    degree.

  2. Take advantage of Web 2.0 functionality.

  3. Add media to your site easily.

  4. Get Google to fall in love with you and
    your site because it’s built with search
    engine optimization in mind.

If you like to know more visit www.Wordpress.org
or our blogsite
www.WordPressBlogsites.com.

Signed,
The Tech Coach


About the Author:
Sandra De Freitas is a top tech coach, speaker, trainer and expert in internet
technology. Find her on the web at

www.TechCoachForCoaches.com




Certification Gets Real…
By Nina East, Lead Certifier for the IAC

This month we have a special treat!

As you may know, Coach Andrea Lee (www.AndreaJLee.com)
has decided to pursue IAC certification.
That fact alone may not seem noteworthy, but
that she is doing so openly and publicly
IS. Andrea is doing this to encourage other
coaches in their certification progress.
In addition, it’s a call to action
for other leaders in the coaching industry
who are not certified by an independent
body such as the IAC.

As part of her preparation, she wanted
to get as much information as possible about
the Masteries and how to know when she is,
or is not, using them correctly. To do so
and to support other coaches, she interviewed
me to pick my brain and get “the inside
scoop” on what the certifiers are
listening for with each of the Masteries.

We recorded the conversations
and we’re sharing a snippet from the interview on Mastery #3 – Engaged Listening.
The beginning of the interview also includes
nuggets about the Masteries in general.
Andrea described it as getting the “true
gold” from my brain. Listen, enjoy,
learn! (You can hear the entire interview
at www.MyMentorCoach.com.)


Play file (file size: 3.42 MB, length: 14 minutes, 15 seconds)

For even more
insights about IAC Certification and the 9 Coaching
Masteries™ listen to all Nina’s interviews at

www.MyMentorCoach.com
.


Next month we’ll take a closer look
at Mastery #4 – Processing In The Present.


Please send your questions about the IAC
Coaching Masteries™ and the certification
process to certification@certifiedcoach.org.



About the Author:
Nina East is the IAC’s Lead Certifier and the founder of

www.PersonalGrowthProfessionals.com
. As a coach, she helps personal growth
professionals turn creative edge thinking into practical tools and resources,
and helps coaches master the art of coaching.


 




Sharing the Certification Journey E-Book

Six IAC Certified Coaches talk about their
journeys to certification. Here’s a chance
to hear the different coaching styles of
six IAC certified coaches. Each coach has
included a five minute segment of a recorded
call which passed Step 2 of the IAC exam—a
valuable resource in itself. Discover insights,
tips and patterns to inspire and support
you on your own journey towards IAC certification…
IAC members receive a 30% discount! Members
log in here
to find the link to the deal!




Another Ending to a Story
Previously Told in the VOICE

by Marion Franklin, MS, MCC

Last month VOICE
published an article about
a coach who found himself stuck in traffic
and would likely not be on time for his
client. Accordingly, he called the client
from his cell phone to either change the
time or reschedule. The client asked if
the coach was driving, and he replied that
in fact he was a passenger. The client then
became enraged and claimed that his confidentiality
had been violated and slammed down the phone.
When the coach tried to contact the client
to explain, the client did not respond.


[ed. It is not our intent to scold last
month’s author. AND we want to know
what you are thinking about previously published
topics and about new ones. So we offer here
an alternate ending to the story.]


When someone tells you a joke, particularly
a long one, you anxiously await the punch
line. When the punch line isn’t funny,
you feel let down and disappointed that
you listened to the whole thing for nothing.


That’s how I felt when I read last
month’s VOICE article about the use
and abuse of cell phones. I found myself
going in a completely different direction.


The nature of a typical coaching practice
is that clients come and clients go. We
may work with some for longer periods of
time, but overall, clients feel complete
once they have accomplished their intended
goals. And perhaps more importantly, when
they use the tools and wisdom they gained
from coaching to handle situations and challenges
on their own they feel the value of their
experience.


But, there are instances when clients leave
abruptly. On occasion, it may be without
explanation. Oftentimes, they use a convenient
excuse such as the cost factor. Or like
in the scenario we read about, the client
fired the coach seemingly out of anger.


We could speculate forever on why this happened.

  • Was the car ride the real trigger for
    the client’s anger?

  • Was the client anxious to speak with
    the coach to share something?

  • Was something going on for a usually
    easy client that he didn’t feel his appointment
    time was honored? or

  • Was there some preexisting mistrust
    and this was a final straw?

What’s the learning in the
story?


The client said that he felt violated, and
so the lesson might really be just about
confidentiality. Trust and rapport are imperative
and crucial in a coaching relationship.
As a professional, those are our responsibilities.
Therapists are compelled not to reveal the
name or identity of a client. But for coaches,
it’s a matter of ethics. We don’t
have any written laws but we do pledge
to uphold a Code of Ethics that includes
maintaining client confidentiality.


Early on in my coaching practice I offered
a free month of coaching for any referred
new client who hired me. I stopped quickly
when I realized that it meant my current
client would become aware of a new client
working with me.


The client in the cell phone story might have felt disrespected
around the appointment. In any relationship,
especially a professional one such as coach/client,
employer/employee, doctor/patient or
teacher/student, there is an inherent understanding
that when a meeting is arranged, it will
happen.


Yes, traffic happens, and consequently,
people are late for a meetings or appointments.
When a doctor keeps you waiting for a scheduled
appointment, you get agitated and annoyed.
It feels as if you aren’t important.
It’s as if your time is not valued.
It feels disrespectful.


For some people, this may not have been
a big deal. Clearly though, dishonoring
a professional appointment can have major
consequences.


Perhaps the client was feeling some of that
disrespect. Conceivably, he felt as though
the time set aside was not valued. It’s
possible there was more going on, but we
will never really know. What is important
is realizing that dishonoring a time commitment
can evoke a lack of trust, a sense of disregard,
and at the very least a huge disappointment.


In the end, when something unexpected happens,
like this client’s rage, it is important
to examine the event from as many perspectives
as possible. Is the reason given the obvious
one? Or is it something entirely different.
Getting input from the client if at all
possible would be most beneficial. Then
we are more likely to prevent the same thing
happening again.

Questions to Ponder


  • How do you feel when someone keeps
    you waiting or cancels at the last minute?

  • What if you are running late or need
    to cancel, do you notify the person immediately,
    apologize, and/or offer something in return
    for the inconvenience?

  • What are the potential consequences
    and impact of missing an appointment?

About the Author:
Marion Franklin, MCC, trains, mentors, and coaches individuals and groups
focusing on honing leadership qualities, enhancing communication, and
strengthening interpersonal relations. Visit her site @

www.lifecoachinggroup.com
.

 




Working With A Mentor Coach

by Nina East

If you are considering hiring a mentor
coach, then you are already committed to
your professional growth and to delivering
outstanding service to your clients. A strong,
effective working relationship is essential
for you to learn and grow and ultimately
it’s best for your clients as well.

The relationship you have with your mentor
coach will be different from your relationship
with other coaches you may hire. Your mentor
coach will be helping you practice, expand,
and refine your coaching skill. For this
reason, a mentor coach is more like a trainer
or teacher, providing clear, specific supervision
and instruction on coaching methods and
style.

Selecting a mentor coach can be an exciting
and daunting project. Not only do you have
to identify the right person(s) to work
with based on your specific needs, you also
have to build an effective relationship.
For many coaches, this is the first time
they have hired another coach, and it is
important to know what to expect. This will
help you make the right hiring decision.

So what should you expect from
a mentor coach?

  1. A good mentor coach gives direct
    feedback
    with specific examples
    and clear alternatives. You may need to
    prepare for this. Mentor coaches, while
    kind and compassionate, are there to help
    you improve your skills and the results
    you are getting with clients. If you tend
    toward the sensitive side, discuss this
    with the prospective mentor and get a
    feel for their style.

  2. A good mentor coach tells it
    like it is
    . It is imperative
    that a mentor coach is comfortable giving
    you the tough feedback and doing so in
    a way that is helpful and productive.
    You should expect your mentor coach to
    support their points with clear, specific
    examples. They should be able to tell
    you what is working—and why it is working.
    Likewise, they need to be able to tell
    you what is not working and why. If they
    can’t do this concisely and directly,
    they may not be the best mentor coach.

  3. A
    good mentor coaching relationship is a clearly defined relationship.
    Without clear definition,
    there is too much room for misunderstanding
    and unmet expectations. The experienced
    mentor coach will initiate this discussion
    at the beginning. You’ll need to
    know at least: How often will you meet?
    How often can you contact your mentor
    between sessions? How will you receive
    feedback (written, oral, or a combination)?
    Be sure the mentor you select makes defining
    the relationship an early priority.

  4. Good mentor coaches hold themselves
    to high standards
    . The best ones
    continue to work on their skill development,
    as well as personal and professional development.
    Ask your prospective mentors what they
    do for their own professional development.
    They should be able to answer this easily.
    Hopefully their answer will inspire you
    as well. Most of them will have mentors
    or a highly accountable mastermind peer
    group.

  5. A good mentor coach helps you
    choose what to focus on
    during
    a coaching session. A mentor coach is
    what I like to call an “intimate
    outsider.” They are outside your
    business, but have an intimate knowledge
    of your coaching and its effectiveness.
    They are committed to your success, and
    so collaborate with you in designing the
    mentor sessions. While you should always
    arrive prepared, your mentor should as
    well.

  6. A good mentor coach has the ability
    to transition the relationship

    when appropriate. At some point, you and
    your mentor coach will stop being mentor
    and protégé, and the relationship
    will transform into something else. Often
    mentors and protégés become
    peers or collaborators on projects. Sometimes
    the goals of the relationship are met
    and it is time to find a new mentor. Either
    way, you should expect your mentor coach
    to handle this with grace and ease. The
    best mentor coaches will talk about this
    at the beginning of the relationship.
    They won’t be making any promises, but
    they will talk about the possible “exit
    scenarios,” which will give you an
    even greater sense of their integrity
    and style.

Be
clear about your goals. Establish bench
marks for the process. Be prepared for your
sessions, and take advantage of the process.
The right mentor coaching relationship can
make your business blossom.



About the author:

Nina East is the founder of MyMentorCoach.com
and the Lead Certifier for the International
Association of Coaching. To hear tips on preparing for coach certification
using IAC Coaching Masteries™ and get tips on
certification, visit http://www.MyMentorCoach.com.



Your
Feedback

We’d love to get your feedback on any issue related to the
IAC. Do have any questions, concerns, encouragement or ideas
for improvement regarding anything we do including
membership benefits, certification, the VOICE, the direction
of the organization, or anything else at all? Please send an
email to
feedback@certifiedcoach.org
. Please help us improve.


To sign up
and pay for membership

click here
. Use your usual log-in information and
follow the instructions.

© 2008. All
rights reserved. International Association of Coaching

Scroll to Top

IAC Login