Posts Tagged ‘Credentialing’

How to Find the Right Coach for You

Published by Chuck Franks on April 22nd, 2009

Coaches come from a variety of backgrounds–psychology, business, education, and finance–and they usually specialize in one area. My specialty is relationships.Everyone is in relationships and we can all benefit from focusing on and enhancing those important relationships. For example, small business owners have a relationship with their customers. Who would not think it wise to make sure your doing everything in your power to create the most positive relationship possible to attract and retain current customers?We also have relationships with staff or co-workers. Everyone has relationships with family and friends and usually a significant other. One relationship that most of us forget about is the one we have with ourselves. It can take many forms and in the current financial situation happening in our country our attitudes toward aboundance or scarcity are playing a big role in the decisions we are making. Being aware of our values is an important part of being proactive rather than reactive to decision making.I recommend interviewing a few coaches before hiring one.Coaching is a two-way co-creative process and needs to be a good fit. It is important for both the coach and the client to be confident and comfortable in the relationship for it to be successful. The best approach:

  • Interview several coaches. Introductory sessions are usually given for free.
  • Look for stylistic similarities and differences to help you determine your compatibility.
  • Ask questions about their typical time frame of coaching, their specific coach training, their experience as a coach, the number of individuals, organizations and situations they worked with as well as the number of years in the field.
  • Get referrals from previous clients or ask for examples of how the coach has helped other clients reach their goals.
  • Find out what specific expertise or specialized skills the coach would bring to the relationship.
  • Is the Coach a certified coach through the International Coach Federation?

You want to find someone you can bond with and build a partnership, someone with whom you can easily relate.Currently there are no state licensing requirements for coaches. That means it is very important that you choose a coach with coach specific training.I have a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and a License in Clinical Social Work however when I transitioned into coaching I found a great coach training program to get some post graduate training. The College of Executive Coaching is where I finished a 128 hour coach specific training program. I am now a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation.”Your personal and financial accomplishments spring from a focused, planned, intentional life — which coaching helps deliver.”-Dr. Jeffrey E. Auerbach, PresidentFeel free to contact me, Chuck Franks, PCC directly for a free consultation about coaching services. 816-885-2526or by e-mail at Chuck@innerstrengthquest.com Chuck is a proud member and accredited coach by the International Coach Federation. Chuck is a founding member of Kansas City’s International Coach Federation Chapter, Heartland Coaches Association, Kansas City’s premier coaching association. I served as President for 2 years and currently serve on the board as Past-President.

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Is Ashton Kutcher an expert: BullS#*%

Published by Chuck Franks on April 18th, 2009

Is Ashton an expert at Twitter cause everyone is pushing to help him to get a million before CNN?No. I’m following him cause I think he’s funny and talented.  I think the whole damn thing is funny.Are you an expert because your computer has  letters  e-x-p-e-r-t  on it?No, it means you have keyboard and spell check.Experts don’t usually even have to tell you they are an expert.  You know it when you talk to them. You know it when you read their posts.  You know it when you see it.The video of the CEO of Zappo’s is a perfect example. Is he an expert speaker?No  Is he an expert at customer service?Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  He doesn’t just say he is, he shows his customers what excellence is every single call. By building a relationship with them that will last.  It will last through the grand opening of a new Shoe store down the street. It will last through a recession. Why? Because he focuses on Trust.  What do you as a business owner do to ensure your client/customer trusts you?  Blatant self promotion coming: If you don’t know feel free to contact me to discuss it. That is what I do.Only someone who trusts you will buy from you twice. You might get someone through the door, or online shopping cart once.  But can you get them back? If you don’t meet your client/customer’s expectation they won’t be back.In the coaching profession which is unregulated there are lots of people who say they are first coaches and secondly experts in a certain field of coaching. If you’re thinking about hiring a coach. Ask questions like what Coach Specific Training have you had? How long have you been doing it?  Are you credentialed by the International Coach Federation?  Experts in the field of coaching are taking the steps to move to the forefront of my profession because they believe it’s the right thing to do.  How to find the right coach for you. Check this out. Yes, I wrote it, but it’s about the process. I’m not the right coach for everyone. This will help you if you have a desire or interest in how to choose a coach.Enjoy and if you did feel free to share it with someone.

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Reaching Goals

Published by Chuck Franks on July 23rd, 2008

Goals help us stay focused. When we set goals they can sometimes seem a long way off. So we often need to break them down into smaller short term goals. One goal I set a few years ago was to become credentialed through the International Coach Federation(ICF). I started on a training path which began in 2005. I started researching coach training programs. I found one that I felt good about that matched my professional and business needs. I finished that program earlier this year. I remember in the beginning thinking I would stretch the schooling over several years so I could use the credits for my professional license LCSW as CEU’s. However I found it frustrating to try and slow my learning process down to meet some arbitrary constraint that I had established for myself. So in 2007 I decided to set the goal to finish my training program and gain enough hours to apply for my PCC which stands for Professional Certified Coach credential. Well I applied and have been waiting to hear from them. I received several emails stating my application was under staff review. Last night I returned from a nice dinner with family to find a large envelope in my mail.

So as of July 9th, 2008 I am now an ICF Credential Coach at the PCC level.

I decided to share it with those who have been kind enough to keep up with my wanderings here on my blog. I figured it you liked Bambi then you might like to know that I reached my goal.

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How to find the RIGHT coach for you

Published by Chuck Franks on June 27th, 2008

How to find the RIGHT coach for you: 


Coaches come from a variety of backgrounds — psychology, business, education — and specialize in everything from finance to personal relationships.

To find the right coach for your needs, Chuck Franks, MA, PCC, LCSW, Counselor and Executive Life Coach for over 20 years, recommends interviewing a few coaches before hiring one.

“Coaching is a two-way co-creative process and needs to be a good fit.  It is important for both the coach and the client to be confident and comfortable in the relationship for it to be successful,” states Chuck Franks, Certified Professional Coach.

He recommends the following:

  • Interview several coaches. Introductory sessions are usually given for free.
  • Look for stylistic similarities and differences to help you determine your compatibility.
  • Ask questions about their typical time frame of coaching, their specific coach training, their experience as a coach, the number of individuals, organizations and situations they worked with as well as the number of years in the field.
  • Get referrals from previous clients or ask for examples of how the coach has helped other clients reach their goals.
  • Find out what specific expertise or specialized skills the coach would bring to the relationship.

 ”The idea is you want to find someone you can bond with and build a partnership, someone with whom you can easily relate,” says Franks. 

Currently there are no state licensing requirements for coaches.  It is very important you choose a coach with coach specific training. “I already had a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and a License in Clinical Social Work however when I transitioned into coaching I found a great coach training program to get some post graduate training.” said Chuck Franks “The College of Executive Coaching is where I finished 128 hour coach specific training program.  The program is owned and ran by Dr. Jeff Auerbach.”

“Your personal and financial accomplishments spring from a focused, planned, intentional life — which coaching helps deliver.“-Dr. Jeffrey E. Auerbach, President

Daniel Martinage a past executive director of International Coach Federation(ICF) was quoted “Coaching is like a lot of other professions, it’s up to the individual or group hiring the coach to look into their credentials.” The ICF organization credentials coaches and accredits coach training programs. International Coach Federation web site

Martinage also said “Find out whether and where the coach received training and how many hours of experience they have coaching. Take the time to find the right person for your needs. You want to be clear about what you’re looking for and be sure the person you hire fits your bill.”

ICF Credential Holders Reach 6,000
Credential holders on the rise as clients demand more from coaches

Lexington, Kentucky, USA – Increased consumer demand has helped lead the way for a record number of coaches holding a credential awarded by the International Coach Federation (ICF). Marking an unprecedented commitment to coaching excellence and the coaching industry’s highest standards, 6,000 coaches representing 65 countries currently hold an ICF Credential.

Contact Chuck Franks for a free consultation about coaching services. My website with e-mail and phone number.

I’m also the President and one of the founding members of Kansas City’s International Coach Federation Chapter. Heartland Coaches

 

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ICF pushes for Credentialed Coaches

Published by Chuck Franks on June 7th, 2008
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ICF is the International Coach Federation which is the largest governing body that credentials coaches.  As a consumer within a new profession it is important that you look for someone with training specifically in the coaching field. Educate yourself about who you hire. Ask what credentials they have?  We do it with other professionals we do business with so why not your coach too. Ask if their training is ICF certified?

Chuck Franks
Certified Professional Coach
ICF Member and Chapter Leader

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