After moving past the barriers of time and money, training, and developing knowledge, the next barrier to providing quality coaching services is competence or skill. In a previous blog series, the core competencies of coaching as published by the International Coach Federation, ICF, were explored in detail. Focus now on building your skills.
How do coaches develop the skills to do the work well? As with developing skill in many areas, it begins with the training and knowledge, and then moves to intentional application of the learning through practice and experience.
Hands-on application and practice is generally part of your coach training program; that is the starting point. After completing your coach training, continue coaching right away. Some find practice clients, friends, colleagues or acquaintances that are offered a trade or discounted rate for coaching services. Others begin with clients from their complementary businesses or market and begin developing their coaching client base. The key is that applying the knowledge consistently builds your coaching skills.
When you are coaching, the learning and the skill building continue. Each client you have the privilege of serving is a new opportunity for you to further develop your knowledge and expand your skills with coaching experience.
