Wellbeing Wednesday: The importance of qualifications in coaching

May is a month when the global coaching community comes together in a week-long celebration of all things coaching.

In today’s Wellbeing Wednesday feature, accredited Coach and Workplace Mentor Sue Pallot explores why coaching is so important, and why it’s necessary for coaches to be accredited and qualified.

International Coaching Week (ICW) is recognised by the leading worldwide professional bodies and this year it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The purpose of the event is to educate the public in a series of free workshops, masterclasses, webinars and panel discussions from the world’s leading coaches, business leaders, authors and academics, about the value of working with a professional coach and to showcase the benefits of coaching, types of coaching and many learning opportunities for clients and coaches.

Over the years, global organisations have been established to advance the coaching and mentoring profession, by creating a worldwide network of coaches to provide independent credentialing for coaches, mentors and training providers. These organisations are passionate about promoting and supporting the industry which is the second fastest growing sector in the world, with an annual increase of 6.7% yearly growth over the last five years.

Coaches are in high demand due to their ability to transform organisations and individuals by assisting them to set goals and achieve them.

“Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.” Timothy Gallwey

Most importantly, in a self-regulating industry, these organisations are leading the way in setting standards, establishing professional codes of ethics, providing guidelines through accreditation for coaches and coaching programmes. They provide continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and promote the benefits of becoming a qualified, accredited coach.

In the recent results of the global coaching study 2023, conducted by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), there has been a 54% increase in qualified coach practitioners.

With the coaching practice growing at such a rapid pace, it is our role as coaches to ensure that the standards remain high, that we are accountable for our practice and that we are working together to the highest professional competencies and levels of capability.

As a qualified accredited coach, and member of the International Authority for Professional Coaching and Mentoring (IAPC&M), I am passionate about living my own coaching standards in line with the guidance available through the many sources of information and qualifications in the industry. I am eager to promote the benefits of coaching, to adhere to a code of professional conduct and to educate people on the importance of having a qualified, accredited coach.

When I decided to become a coach, I researched the coach training available and spent many hours looking at what the professional bodies had to offer. There are so many providers available online and such an overwhelming amount of information available, it is sometimes easier to start with having a conversation with an already qualified coach or mentor to get some lived insight. As client, research is also the key to finding the right coach for you.

So why should you gain a coaching qualification? There are many reasons, including:

It brings credibility to your practice
It assures you and your clients of your ability
It provides you with the practical and written learning experience in many different areas which will give you the tools to be a great coach and best in class

With coaching being used more than ever in professional industries, organisations are more likely to employ a qualified coach, one who has set up their practice and who demonstrates good ethics and governance. With these attributes in mind, it poses the question of why are professional standards so important? Again, the reasons are many but in summary:

To set and adhere to a set of rules
Ensure that the public is protected
Make our industry, one that we can be proud of

As coaches, training providers and clients we all have a duty of care by ensuring that we play our part, so that this wonderful practice is conducted ethically and with competence and integrity.

My passion for coaching combined with my regulatory practice, inspired me, last year, to set up the Jersey Association of Coach Practitioners (JACP). There are so many great qualified, coaches in Jersey and the association provides a space for us all to come together, to share insights and experiences, to collaborate and support; to promote good quality coaches; to highlight the expertise in Jersey and to support and encourage continued professional development.

We are currently formalising this wonderful association, so watch this space and if you are a coach in Jersey, do get in touch to be a part of this diverse, dynamic group!

Coaching is not a new practice, however it has become more prevalent at a time when the world needs coaches. The practice supports and complements therapy and counselling and with the growing coaching community in Jersey and worldwide, we are committed to ensuring that best practice is promoted, shared and lived.

“We must take our responsibility, and help others to do the same; we don’t have all the answers, but we can help others to find theirs.” John Whitmore

Sue Pallot PCD Dip, APC, (pictured) is a qualified, accredited coach and qualified workplace mentor. She has many years of experience managing, coaching and mentoring people and is passionate about relationships, wellbeing and mental health. She uses her skills to support people to achieve their goals, be more successful in their careers and to achieve contentment and happiness in their chosen life journey.

To have a free 30-minute introductory chat with Sue Pallot visit here, or contact her via email.

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