Becoming a coach is about using your wisdom and experience to support your clients with advice, hands-on guidance, and exercises to help them achieve their personal or professional goals. Your role is to facilitate learning and become your client’s go-to person to reach their goals.
Coaching has become an insanely popular profession worldwide. No wonder more and more people are interested in how to become a coach in Canada. Though many would call themselves “coaches,” some have no formal coach training. They are not also credentialed by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or other recognized organizations. A great coach possesses the proper knowledge, skill, and expertise to help their clients with their concerns.
If you want to be a coach in Canada, here’s what you should know.
Who Can Be a Coach?
Anyone can be a coach. The coaching industry is extensive, and the professional generally has everyone from CEOs and executives to actors.
What Does a Coach Do?
Here are some of the basic roles of a coach:
- Give tailored learning experiences that meet the needs of your client
- Work closely or side-by-side with one or a group of people, offering guidance and advice as they work to solve a problem
- Perform the role of an ally instead of an instructor
- Give the practical application of techniques or advice within the work environment
- Analyze and critique the strengths and weaknesses of your client to create the best strategy to reach their goals
To become a successful coach and stand out, finding your area of expertise would be best. Having a specialty will help you in promoting your talent. It allows you to create a brand to market your skills to anyone needing them. It also increases your credibility, positioning yourself as an authoritative person in your sector.
Among the popular coaching services that you can specialize in will include:
- Business coaching
- Relationship coaching
- Life coaching
- Financial coaching
- Career coaching
- Academic coaching
- Spiritual coaching
- Personal development coaching
As you can see, the coaching profession has different sectors. But whether you want to be a life coach, career coach, relationship coach, or business coach, make sure to undergo coaching training programs that will build your capabilities.
What Training is Required to Be a Coach?
Completing a coaching education will set you apart from other coaches. It will also demonstrate your commitment to coaching clients of diverse backgrounds.
Here are some of the best educational routes to get certification and become a coach in Canada:
Accredited courses
Plenty of higher education establishments are offering in-person and online accredited courses. For instance, the International Coach Academy (ICA) offers coach-specific training to build or upgrade your coaching skills. You can take them online through their e-learning platform.
ICF Credential
The ICF offers a globally recognized coaching certification. You can choose from any of the following:
- Vocational coach program – This focuses on core knowledge, skills, and practice. It is ideal for those who want to add coach skills to their existing career. It can also be an excellent option for those wishing to set up their private coaching practice.
- Professional coach program – This offers specialization in any niche with a unique coaching model. It is ideal for anyone who wants to become a professional coach.
- Advanced coach program – This includes group coaching and business building. It is for those who wish to learn coaching at an advanced level.
What Skills Should You Have to Be a Coach?
There is more to having the desire to work with people and undergoing a coach training program. You will also need specific skills and talents to be a successful professional certified coach. Here are some of them:
Assertiveness
Having confidence in yourself to bring about positive results for your client is crucial to succeed in the coaching business. Be clear about how you believe your client must move forward and explain why.
It will take time to build confidence and assertiveness. You may even doubt yourself. But you must believe in your coaching process and abilities.
Active listening
Having strong verbal and written communication skills is crucial to your coaching success. And this includes developing your active listening skills.
Active listening is different from just “listening.” It entails using body language and eye contact to demonstrate your focus on what your client is saying. It is a valuable skill you must have because it allows you to recognize nonverbal cues so you have a full grasp of what your client needs.
Actively listening will also help you build trust. Your client would feel fully seen and heard, as it implies that you are taking their fears or concerns very seriously.
Empathy
Knowing how to relate to a person’s challenge and understanding why it is vital to them is highly beneficial in becoming an effective life or executive coach. Empathy allows you to:
- connect with your clients on a deeper level
- see the issue from their standpoint and understand their approach
- build trust
What Makes a Great Coach?
To be a great coach, take coach training programs and build up experience to help your clients. You also need to embody the necessary coaching skills and traits.
If you want to future-proof your professional coaching career and bring more value to your clients, consider creating your unique coaching model. Since no one-size-fits-all coaching approach exists, create a model that will reflect your personality and values.
At ICA, you will be taught how to create a coaching model that will showcase who you are as a coach. Be a great coach by developing an approach that no other coach can.
