In January 2017, the family business’s strategy changed and I took the hard decision to leave and start a new business with a colleague. I have always been passionate about the enabling power of coaching, so this time last year, I chose to refresh my coaching qualifications.
I re-engaged with the Coaching Academy and from the initial first phone call I made to explain my situation, each member of staff with whom I came into contact was exceptionally helpful. Initially, I thought I would just take the Small Business Diploma as it gave me all the tools and techniques required to coach small businesses. However, when I heard about all the other wonderful learning opportunities available within the other Diplomas, I opted to enrol on the Protégé programme and am delighted I made this decision.
I am now a year on and in that time, I have achieved qualification in all 4 diplomas that I set out to do – namely Life Coaching Diploma, Small Business, Corporate and Executive and Neuro Linguistic Programming. I can honestly say that I have loved doing all 4 diplomas equally as each has given me a new learning experience.
After my first practical assessment in 2017, I noted all the assessor said to me, as I considered my coaching to be of a reasonable standard, having been doing it for several years, but when I received the constructive feedback, I was so grateful, because it showed me the areas where I could improve and with every practical session I have had since, I have always listened and welcomed the feedback. It has been of huge benefit to me and I would encourage everyone to listen to the feedback that they receive and incorporate it in your sessions going forward as by doing this you will grow and develop as a coach.
Since leaving my old business at the end of January 2017, I have not only refreshed my coaching qualifications, but I have also requalified as a Quality Management and Environmental Systems Lead Auditor. The new business I developed with my colleague offers coaching but also Quality and Environmental Management Consultancy. I am careful to keep these two skills separate, as of course we all know as coaches we are not consultants and must never give advice. The new quality standard requires businesses to develop their leaders to become more engaged with the business at all levels. This enables me to go into businesses wearing two distinct hats. One as a quality consultant for the ISO9001: 2015 standard, and the other as a coach working with business leaders and managers coaching them to grow and develop their businesses and giving them the opportunity to have time out through coaching to work ‘on their business’ rather than in the business.
I currently work with businesses who are keen to grow and the tools and techniques that the Coaching Academy has given to me over this last year, is enabling me to coach them successfully. Several of these businesses have already given me great feedback about the difference coaching has made to their business and their way of life. I am also receiving coaching myself to grow my business and I am looking forward to continuing to expand this over the coming months.
The support given to me by all the Coaching Academy staff over the last year, combined with their incredible teaching, has been amazing! I have also met so many lovely, supportive people and made many lasting friendships. Choosing the Protégé programme this time last year was the best decision for me and such a worthwhile investment. To anybody new to coaching, I would encourage them wholeheartedly to study with the Coaching Academy. However, for those who have studied with the Academy several years ago as I did, I would fully recommend re-engaging with the Academy as the benefits that I have had from re-taking all of the Diplomas this last year have been invaluable.
I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me, and I look forward to continuing to grow and learn as a Coach over the months to come.
If Liz’s words have inspired you and you feel that Coaching could be a potential full or part time opportunity for you, or if you would just like to know a little more about what Coaching is and how it can benefit you and the lives of others, please contact our Specialist Course Advisor, Jamil on 0208 996 4830 or email: Jamil@the-coaching-academy.com
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