Coaching World Issue 11: August 2014 | Page 19

What You’re Doing Now Every day, ICF Members and Credential-holders around the world are advocating for coaching in their professional networks and local communities. We took to ICF Global’s social media channels to ask, “How do you help promote professional coaching?” I speak at events and forums, where I present not only coaching, but also … research on why it works. I also lead workshops at universities, letting students experience coaching practically, so they learn by doing what coaching is, what it can do for them and where else it can be applied. I believe that the best way to understand and acknowledge the power of coaching is by having the experience of it, so I offer pro bono sessions. (International Coaching Week is always a great opportunity for that.) I also participate in pro bono activities to benefit groups in need and in “out-ofthe-box” projects, such as Reaching Re-Birth, where we had the opportunity to bring coaching to a different group of people from a different context. —Katerina Kanelidou, PCC (Greece) Show me someone who is in indecision and I’ll show you a coach who can help them move forward, take action and get what they never knew they always wanted. I also volunteer with the ICF Midwest Regional Conference committee. The hotel staff and city connections we make every year learn a lot about coaching from us being in town. —Kristen Beireis (USA) I get clients to tell their stories. We give presentations with our clients, co-author articles and submit applications for awards programs where clients need to assess the value achieved with coaching and tell their story as part of the submission process. It is amazing how much clients learn about the value they received from coaching that they were not aware of prior to applying for an award. As one might expect with any new or poorly understood product, the first demand from a prospective client is often, “Prove to me that this coaching thing works.” Fortunately there is a large body of evidence these days to make that case. However, once the evidence has been presented, the prospective client next asks about what will happen when he receives coaching or uses coaching within his organization. In the end, the stories are more important in the decision-making process than the research and evidence showing that coaching works. —Dave Busse, PCC (Canada) I use every forum possible to illustrate the value of coaching as a powerful development tool. Coaching doesn’t just create change. It creates change that is sustainable over the long term. In partnership with a skilled, trained coach, an individual develops his or her own workable change strategies and therefore is heavily vested in a successful outcome. Coaches don’t dispense advice or give answers. We help coachees create solutions that will work best for them. This is the true power of coaching and is what sets the profession apart from consulting and mentoring. Educating others on these key differences is how I advocate for professional coaching. I educate clients and other coaches about evidence-based coaching, the importance of credentials and evaluation methods that link coaching Ѽ)