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What to look for in quality Coach Training?

                                    (And the origin of Bridges Coaching)

When I went through my first coaching certification I LOVED what I was learning. I wanted more, so I took a second certification where I was actually coached - experiencing coaching was a valuable learning tool. The next training offered a practicum where I would coach and be observed and assessed by a trained facilitator. And so on. (I think I took 4 certifications before training to become a facilitator.)

I saw how coaching culture was Biblical and effective.

Used well, Coaching shifts the weight of responsibility for forward movement to the person being coached, thereby relieving the coach of making things better for others.

My heart wanted to share this newfound understanding with the leaders around me - pastors, parents, volunteers, and vocational leaders - each can benefit from an understanding of Coaching Culture.

I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER A TRAINING THAT DIDN'T STRING PEOPLE ON TO MORE AND MORE TRAINING. 

That's how Bridges Coach Training was born. The first cohort was in the fall of 2011, and we have certified hundreds of coaches since then.

Whatever training you take, look for these checkpoints:

  • How many trainings are included in the full package*? 
    • Bridges offers only two. Most people get everything they are looking for from just the first training.  Our Next Level Training fulfills all the academic requirements for credentialing with ICF or CCNI.
    • If you look at other training be sure to check how many training are needed to complete the certification process.
  • What is the usual trainee-to-facilitator ratio? 
    • Bridges uses a peer partner learning process so the ratio is 2:1! (Occasionally 3:1 for cohorts with an odd number -and even then we add on extra training time at no expense.)
    • Again, be sure to check how the ratio in other training. Some of my training included 20+ people in a group and was on the phone not Zoom. 
  • Is the training mostly one-sided teaching or is there interactive processing?
    • Bridges Coaching uses an on-demand video series for the bulk of the teaching so peer partner sessions are for two-way conversations regarding the material.
    • 60 hours of voice-to-voice training is required for certification. We choose for ours to be more interactive and discussion-based than listening.
  • Will there be actual coaching involved in the first training?
    • 4 personal Coaching sessions are included in the training!
    • AND you will be able to observe your peer partner being coached.
    • Both experiences are valuable in different ways.
  • Is there observed coaching included in this package?
    • There are three observed coaching sessions included. These sessions assess your first actual coaching sessions and give you a jump start to coaching well! (Don't worry! We step you through all that should happen.)

All this and more happens in our initial coach training!

*I've recently seen coach training offered online for $47, boasting a pathway to ICF credentialing. ICF requires 60 voice-to-voice hours, so there is no way the training being offered is the only one required. It is only a first step, and you will be strung along just like I was.