Disqualifying Markers
While it’s important to be aware of disqualifying markers, it’s just as crucial to focus on the qualifying ones. Trust the process. Embracing and nurturing...
ICF Coach Certification
Guides to ICF coach certification, including ACC, PCC, and MCC credential pathways. Learn about requirements, costs, and how to get certified.
#8: Designing Actions
On the other side of creating awareness is helping clients design action plans to help them move forward. This marker combines two ICF core competencies,...
#7: Creating Awareness
The previous three markers looked at what specifically a life coach does: listen, ask questions, and communicate directly. These next two categories look at the...
#6: Direct Communication
Although listening and questions form the bulk of the coaching tools you use, directly stating what you see and giving feedback to your client is...
#5: Powerful Questions
Curiosity is the primary skill of coaching. Along with empathetic, finely-tuned listening, asking questions is your principal tool as a coach, and it is the...
#4: Active Listening
Active listening is the bedrock of life coaching. Listening from a life coaching perspective involves listening for the sake of the other person. It is...
#3: Coaching Presence
Coaching presence is a core competency that aims to check whether or not a coach has divested themselves of the expert role and has put...
#2: Creating Trust
This marker, also part of the ICF’s core competencies, is based on whether or not the coach connects with the client on a deep level....
#1: Setting the Agenda
Does the coach help identify and reaffirm what the client wants to focus on in the coaching session? Although coaching shies away from specific methods,...
ICF Certification Markers
Curiosity is the foundation of coaching. Consider yourself a student of your client, partnering to understand their world deeply. This means not just what’s present,...