Center for Coaching Certification
Current Articles |

2 Steps for a Career Change

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Cathy Liska

by Michael Deane – https://www.qeedle.comMichael Deane

Spruce Up Your Resume

Even though relevant experience is beneficial, you can highlight initiatives and successes to help you change your career. Many employers are more than happy to invest in a job applicant purely based on their transferable skills.

Managers really treasure transferable skills, so you will give yourself an advantage by highlighting yours in your resume. Whatever your occupation is, you can rest assured you have gained invaluable transferable skills that will be more than useful in your new job.

The key is to identify all of them and include them in your resume. Can you find the opportunity in adversity? Write down complex problem-solving. Can you influence people in positive ways, manage conflict, and build relationships? If so, make sure to mention your communication skills. Can you coalesce people around a common goal? Then you have great leadership skills.

Make sure to show your skills. Recruiters like seeing facts and numbers. Let’s say you have included managing change as a skill in your resume. To make it stand out, you can write something along the lines of, “led a marketing campaign that cut a $900,000 loss into a $150,000 loss in 6 months.”

You can further boost your “rebranding” efforts by tailoring your applications. There is no point in pressuring yourself to send out as many applications as possible. To keep at an ideal timeline for making that career change, factor in time for actionable items like identifying suitable positions.

And, even if you get a rejection letter or two, take it as a positive sign. The palpable traction, the energy you will feel when you start sending out resumes, will be invigorating.

Avoid Naysayers

Surround yourself with friends, family, and colleagues that support you. Ignore naysayers and hang on to people that believe in you and share your goals. Seeking validation is an important part of changing careers, so make sure you do this consistently.

As an additional smart move for support, engage a coach who has earned their coaching certification.

 

Posted in Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2 Tips for a Successful Career Change

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Cathy Liska

by Michael Deane – https://www.qeedle.comMichael Deane

Believe That It Can Happen

You’ve completed the first step and found the next thing you want to do in life, and you still may be having some doubts. Convincing ourselves that we can do this next task is one of the biggest challenges of making a career change.

The average person tends to think of themselves as a statistician, gym teacher, botanist, or whatever. What you do does not define who you are. The sooner you accept that fact, the sooner you will realize that you have what it takes to redefine your career.

By doing something that feels tangible, you’ll convince yourself that it can happen. Are you a nurse that wants to become an event planner? Start saying that to yourself and to the people you meet that work in your new profession. Introduce yourself as a rising event planner.

Now is the time to step out of your comfort zone. For instance, you can start attending event planning conferences. You will empower yourself by focusing on actions that may resolve your current career discord.

Identify The Gaps

The next step is to find out what specific actions you can take to land a job. By doing so, you will position yourself for a smooth career change. Your next move may be doing some job shadowing, volunteering, or upgrading your skills.

If you plan on staying in the same industry, going for informational interviews is a good idea. This way, you will acquire relevant information that will be useful for getting a job in your new profession.

Get Intentional with a Coach

Engaging a certified coach who completed training is a smart career move.  They will work with you to explore opportunities, strategies, and to place.

In the next blog are two action steps for a career change

Posted in Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Changing Careers

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Cathy Liska

by Michael Deane https://www.qeedle.comMichael Deane

You studied to become, let’s say, a geologist, then after 10 years of studying earth processes for engineering firms, your job isn’t doing it for you anymore. You’re thinking of changing your career and attempting your hand at marketing. Such a 180° change seems intimidating, so you may be questioning yourself.

It is possible to make such a big career change, and the odds are in your favor. Here are some actionable tips that will help you achieve your career goals.

You Have More Than One Shot at Making a Career Change

If you think about a career change in terms of “finding your vocation” or “true calling,” you may be putting pressure on yourself without even realizing it. In fact, in this day and age, it’s completely normal for a person to change their career direction several times in their life.

So, instead, think of it in terms of what you want to do next. The key is to think about the kind of environment you want to be in, the tasks you enjoy performing, the skills you are good at (or you can work on), and the kind of people you want to work with daily.

If you are looking for ideas, you can check out career planning tools on sites such as TargetJobs and Prospects. You’ll be able to do more targeted research once you narrow it down to a few areas. The most important thing is to remember that you can change your mind.

Many coaches partner with clients exploring a career change.  The stories shared during coach training highlight how much of this is happening right now.

In the next blog are specific tips for moving forward.

 

Posted in Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Technology in Coaching is a Blessing

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Cathy Liska

By: Paul Kawkabany – https://www.instagram.com/psy_aul/Paul Kawkabany

As a coach, do you lack direct communication with your customers without having to sit behind the screen or listen on the phone?

What do you miss the most in your face-to-face meetings?

How has technology helped you recently in building a healthy coaching relationship?

A lot of questions that come to my mind, especially after the crisis that the world is going through.  I will share the experience that happened with me during Group Coaching in our first group.  The experience printed a lot on me and prompted me to ask many questions and search for answers.

First of all, in the Certified Master Coach training, each week we attend a group training session led by one or two classmates. The coaches have the option of choosing a specific topic themselves or via survey or can invite the group to choose the focus when the session starts. We were excited to start with the first session.

An important note: I am a Lebanese residing in Lebanon, and whoever knows the stress of the Arab world with technology and the Internet realizes that we suffer from many problems regarding permanent power cuts, internet malfunctions, and slow service. So my colleague and I decided for him to run the technology in case of any malfunctions.

What happened exceeded my expectations personally.  The session started with complete enthusiasm at seven in the evening Lebanon time and apparently the technology that we used needed a certain internet speed that was not available in my area, so technical malfunctions began from the program stopping, the stagnation of the mouse, my inability to open software or to shut down, and the slowing of my computer.  I started to feel frustration, anger, and disappointment.  I know very well that these three emotions are toxic and drain my effort, energy, and time.

For 90 minutes I heard the participants speak and participate, I was taking notes and I was preparing a group of questions to ask during the session. I felt that I disappointed my colleague because I was unable to engage.  I left him alone in the first group coaching session.  I was very anxious and tense until the meeting ended. I reviewed everything that happened and concluded the following:

  • My colleague put in a tremendous amount of effort – thank you Garrett for being wonderful, quick-witted, and an excellent coach.
  • Malfunctions happen, so it is important to check the technology and application you are using; there are some applications that simply do not work in parts of the world.
  • If you in the Middle East, inform the others about your internet situation (use Zoom if possible as it is the best so far in the region).
  • Prepare for everything.
  • Trust your partner.
  • If you are doing a session in the Middle East, verify viability of the technology you use.

Technology has many advantages, as it brings together people from all over the world.  It is also smart to plan ahead and be ready with a plan B.

How has technology helped you recently in building a healthy coaching relationship?

What are the things that technology provides that you are thankful for?

 

Posted in Coaching Program, Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Power of NOW

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Cathy Liska

Paul Kawkabany – https://www.instagram.com/psy_aul/Paul Kawkabany

How many of us have heard “The Power of Now” recited? How many of us have read a book or article or even watched a video related to “The Power of Now” specifically? I personally have learned about the power of now in my life and in courses within my academic career.  During coach training and when observing coaching, I understood the effect of the phrase. It is about thoughts; it is about language, words, ideas, feelings, attitudes, and even communication. In coach training, I was aware of the importance of using expressions that are meaningful to the client and are positive and proactive. The application was very impressive because it took these concepts to another, deeper, level. We wrote an affirmation story.  After reviewing my first draft, another thing I realized is that there is a big difference between the past and future expressions. The present tense generates a major motivation for the person (this is my personal experience) and this motivation increases the individual’s productivity rate.

The use of language focused on what is desired incorporates internal motivation and is proactive increases the level of satisfaction in the individual. From this place, they can view their life as a gift.

If you want to experience strength now, here is a useful exercise: sit for one minute and focus on time. Some people will find that time passes very quickly and this means that they usually think a lot about the past and take their time to complete practical matters; others may feel that a minute equals long hours and this means that they are often in a hurry and anxious about what is next.

The coaching process is useful in both cases because it helps the individual to see their life from the perspective of the now and appreciate this very precious life. The present is only seconds that pass by; what you decide to do or think during these seconds is what gives value to time. Take time to breathe deeply and invest your energy in the now and creating the life you want.

Among the phrases, I learned in coaching and now use a lot is: be present for the present.

Hand in Hand to Build a Better World

 

Posted in Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What? How? Who?

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Cathy Liska

Paul Kawkabany – https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kawkabany-b7b2a811a/Paul Kawkabany

I’ve been standing at this question, which was kind of challenging for me: how can I answer such a question? Is it sufficient for me to say information about myself and / or others? Do I have to mention my past, my successes, and the obstacles I encountered?

In the coaching profession, we often encounter something interesting, and we are curious. These questions are different; our mind sometimes responds to them in the same way. We sometimes find ourselves in front of a dilemma where we are unable to find a solution.  It is better to start by dividing these questions in our minds so that we can distinguish between them. Following you will find questions of the three types. Think about answering each question separately:

What questions:
What can I do?
What do I want to do?
What will I do?
What is my role?
What aspects of my life do I want to develop?
What is the impact of my actions?
What are my losses?
What are my wins?
What are my beliefs?
What are the things that attract me?
What do I want?
What are my projects?

How questions:
How am I?
How do I imagine you see me?
How do I feel?
How do I want to feel?
How do I behave?
How do I want to behave?
How will I behave?
How do I think?
How do I want to think?
How will I think?

Who questions?
Who am I?
Who am I separate from designations or titles?
Who am I from the rear?
Who am I from the side?
Who am I from the front?
Who am I when facing challenges?
Who am I away from frustrations?
Who am I when I am my best self?

These questions can help me organize my life, projects, and goals. When the questions become clear, the answers become my guide.

Hand in Hand to Build a Better World

 

Posted in Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is it Worth it?

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Cathy Liska

Paul Kawkabany – https://www.facebook.com/paul.kawkabany

Are you interested in attending coach training and wondering if it is worth it? Worth your time and effort? Paul Kawkabany_ Is it worth it

Today and all over the world, we find many training organizations. Each is offering training for those who wish to engage in thousands of topics.  Conferences and workshops are held monthly or annually by many organizations. With all these options, you stand and ask yourself if the training that you saw an advertisement for on the internet is worth your effort. Discovering the answer is simple when you ask yourself questions that may help you in the process of evaluating the training course and if it suits you; so ask these questions:

Which organization is hosting the event? Is it a well-known and reputable organization? Make sure it is a formal organization whose goals align with yours in training.

Who are the coaches? Do they have the expertise to provide the learning environment you are looking for? Search for resumes and past experiences online, search for them on the LinkedIn platform, and see their work. Ensure that their expertise matches what is presented in the training.

Do you know anyone who has ever participated in training by this organization or with the coaches? It is a good idea to get the opinion of people you know or in your professional network regarding the content of the training itself, the trainers, and/or the organization providing it.

What do you want to achieve from this training opportunity? Are you looking for networking opportunities? If so, what is the goal in your mind? Are you looking to learn new skills or get work experience? Think about your true goals in searching for an event or training, and make sure it matches what is being offered.

What kind of training and learning methodology is right for you? There are plenty of options: there are traditional courses, online courses, and blended learning (a combination of in-person and online). Some courses offer more formal classes, which are based on lectures. Others are interactive with small group discussions, case studies, and activities. Think about how you learn best and choose the training that matches your learning style.

When you find “The Training” it will be a great achievement for you.

Hand in Hand to Build a Better World

 

Posted in Coaching Program, Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self-motivation is a Process

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Cathy Liska

Paul Kawkabany – https://www.instagram.com/psy_aul/Paul Kawkabany

A person is born and imagines portraits of great plans and success. A person dreams of aiming to achieve it all. Is desire and imagination sufficient to reach what is wanted? If it is accompanied by work, diligence, perseverance, planning, overcoming obstacles, standing in pain, facing an abyss, and then discovering how to cross over it.

Self-motivation is charging positive spirits and insisting that you have the strength to fulfill your dreams and succeed in your endeavor.

The training that I received at the Center for Coaching Certification helped me to understand the strength that is inside me and call me to life, the life I aspire to live. I understood achieving goals requires self-motivation to free the strength in me. This is more than a goal; it is a process. A process is full of awareness, maturity, successes, and obstacles. Even in the face of challenges, the internal motivation remains stronger than anything else. It is a continuous self-motivation from the self itself.  Explore any motivational processes that you program for yourself and program your subconscious mind based on your desired success and your ability to properly control the buttons of the self-control panel. The stimulus may come due to external factors that affect the soul and push it to the lifeboat. These factors may be temporary and soon disappear, or it is possible to form a new goal or strategy or way around challenges. You may be empowered by a certain person that is a role model. How will you ensure your success independently?

As for internal motivations, they remain for the long term. This supports the rise of the internal force by making tough decisions that lead to the achievement of the impossible. Among the most important positives of these internal stimuli is securing oneself with reassurance and a sense of strength and self-respect. Accordingly, your self-motivation is your duty. Believe in yourself and your abilities. This is then associated with something external, which is good work, the work that you want to achieve, the dream, and the goal that you want to reach. This then becomes a self-motivation that has a profound effect on success.

Remember, self-motivation is simply a desire and drive towards your deepest desire; it is a process, a path full of desires, and it is the ideal path.

Hand in hand to build a better world

 

Posted in Coaching Program, Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WHAT ELSE?

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Cathy Liska

Paul Kawkabany – https://www.facebook.com/paul.kawkabanyPaul Kawkabany

Coaches at any stage of their training and professional career know the strength and beauty of this question. I like this question very much and find it delicious. Yes, as you read, I find it delicious – for two main reasons:
1.     The simplicity of the question.
2.     The depth this question goes to in a session.

Trained coaches remember how this question accompanied them. Sometimes we think that when we say several things or goals, we think that we must stop because there is nothing else. Then the question comes and opens before us springs of living water that have been in us all the time. I am not talking about consciousness and the subconscious here; I am talking about a deeper understanding of the self through expressions and questions that the coaching training school puts in our hands. I will not mention all of them here to allow you to taste and enjoy it if you want to train to become a certified coach.

What else? It is one of the questions that does aim to formulate desires and goals in words and phrases. I am talking about discovering and releasing desires. Here is an exercise that may help a person understand the strength and beauty of this question:
·      Write on paper, on your computer, or your phone the answer to one question: “Who am I?” When you finish your answer, relax. Ask, what else? Write the answer and then repeat until you feel that you have finished the answer, then put the paper in front of you and look at it.  Come back to it again and ask yourself, what else? You will discover yourself.
Note: Allow yourself to be festive, astounded, and astonished

It is surprising how small words can imprint a huge impact on us.  The same is true of short, simple questions.

What words have a great impact in your life? What questions have a great impact in your life?  Please share!

Hand in Hand to Build a Better World

 

Posted in Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Go For YOU, Go To YOU

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Cathy Liska

Paul Kawkabany – https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kawkabany-b7b2a811a/

Paul Kawkabany

I was wondering a lot about what it means to be a coach. Then, in August and September, I linked up with 11 other trainees in a virtual class through Zoom called Certified Professional Coach.  The presence of other colleagues from the Western world was very wonderful; it helped me a lot.  I will quickly start by introducing myself – I am Paul Kawkabany and I am from Lebanon.  I graduated from the Lebanese University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and I am committed to non-governmental, non-profit organizations.  I help people by providing mental health services to them for free.

I remember well the meeting that took place between me and my coach Cathy Liska before the start of the training period, and it was a fruitful meeting.  I explored my strong value around training and coaching, and how it is possible to continue until I become a trainer for coaches.  I want to share my experience in the Certified Professional Coach, CPC, class.  The class helped me a lot, and in ways that I did not expect.  Cathy, our trainer, showed great professionalism and was a listening ear.  She helped me and guided me.  Cathy was smiling and cheerful; she was attentive and actively listening to every word that was said in the class and every experience we shared.  In addition to having more than great colleagues, this helped me a lot.

The training is divided into two main parts: classes (6 sessions of 90 minutes each and assignments related to the first five) and the practicum (4 meetings for 4 hours each in which we practiced what we learned in coaching sessions in addition to completing “magical homework”, coach evaluations, and a case study).

Someone may ask me, how did I benefit during and after the training?  My choice of the title was not by chance or out of absurdity; it was based on my experience.  I was able to summarize my experience through these six words: Go for you, go to you.  Coaching does not mean that I go and search for desires outside of me, or far from me.  On the contrary, the desires are within me.  Coaching is, according to the ICF, “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”  This indicates the development and deeper understanding of everything that moves me towards my goals – an understanding of myself and my desires. The great thing about all of this is that it requires little effort from me though sufficient effort to understand my goals. Indeed, the training helped me to enter my heart and go towards myself and for myself.

Have the courage to take this very interesting adventure because you will discover great things and you will start to realize your dreams. If you ask me what the most beautiful thing is and how I benefited, I will simply say “everything” from the coach to my colleagues to the technology used, the content, and of course the reports. All in all, I invite you to embark on this very interesting adventure.

Hand in Hand to Build a Better World

 

Posted in Coaching Program, Coaching Resources, Coaching Skills, Coaching Stories, Skills Tools and Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment