Trying to decide on what life coach training program to take can be an overwhelming task. Just do an internet search for "life coach training" and you will be presented with hundreds, if not thousands of options. How do you know what training to take, and if you even need special training to become a life coach?
The answer is yes and no. As a life coach trainer and former certifying examiner for one of the largest independent life coach certification bodies, I explain that yes, you do need training; but no, it does not have to be any particular course or degree.
Think of other service professionals such as consultants or interior designers. A consultant needs to have a high level of skills in her area of consulting, but there is not a "consulting degree". An interior designer needs training in interior design in order to provide quality service, but there is no particular degree required. Similarly, a coach does not need a degree or certification to begin coaching.
The backgrounds that people bring to life coaching are varied. Many people who enter the coaching field come from careers that already involve people skills - such as teaching, counseling, personal training, human resource management, business consulting, sales, health care, journalism, ministry, parenting, and social work, to name just a few.
Certainly these backgrounds provide valuable experience for being a coach. But it's not enough. Depending on how well their background has prepared them for coaching, they may need anything from a weekend workshop to a 2 year program to bring them up to a professional coach skill level.
In addition to learning new coaching skills, some people will need to "unlearn" certain habitual ways of responding. For example, consultants often have great questioning and problem-solving skills but tend to jump into "fix-it" mode right away. They will need to learn how to back off and let the client develop their own solutions.
Getting an honest assessment of your skill level is an important first step in ensuring your eventual success as a life coach. Whichever coaching school you enroll with, make sure that they offer ongoing assessment: it's the best way thing you could do for your future career as a life coach.
The answer is yes and no. As a life coach trainer and former certifying examiner for one of the largest independent life coach certification bodies, I explain that yes, you do need training; but no, it does not have to be any particular course or degree.
Think of other service professionals such as consultants or interior designers. A consultant needs to have a high level of skills in her area of consulting, but there is not a "consulting degree". An interior designer needs training in interior design in order to provide quality service, but there is no particular degree required. Similarly, a coach does not need a degree or certification to begin coaching.
The backgrounds that people bring to life coaching are varied. Many people who enter the coaching field come from careers that already involve people skills - such as teaching, counseling, personal training, human resource management, business consulting, sales, health care, journalism, ministry, parenting, and social work, to name just a few.
Certainly these backgrounds provide valuable experience for being a coach. But it's not enough. Depending on how well their background has prepared them for coaching, they may need anything from a weekend workshop to a 2 year program to bring them up to a professional coach skill level.
In addition to learning new coaching skills, some people will need to "unlearn" certain habitual ways of responding. For example, consultants often have great questioning and problem-solving skills but tend to jump into "fix-it" mode right away. They will need to learn how to back off and let the client develop their own solutions.
Getting an honest assessment of your skill level is an important first step in ensuring your eventual success as a life coach. Whichever coaching school you enroll with, make sure that they offer ongoing assessment: it's the best way thing you could do for your future career as a life coach.
About the Author:
Mentor Coach Barbra Sundquist specializes in life coach training. Visit her website "Become A Certified Coach" to get solid advice on how to become a life coach.
