What inspired you to enrol with The Coaching Academy?
I knew I wanted to develop my coaching skills and looked up a number of companies on-line. TCA appeared to be the market leader and so I enrolled in the Free 2-Day Introductory Course. After that I had no doubts that TCA would be the right company for me. It was the combination of overall professionalism, the breadth and depth of the syllabus and the open and contemporary style that particularly attracted me to TCA.
What was your profession before becoming a coach?
I had been in corporate life for 32 years, which culminated in being the CEO of a global, listed company. My profession was therefore hard to pin down but would probably be described as general management.
What was the most rewarding part of your journey?
I thoroughly enjoyed the Accelerator Days and learnt a great deal from them. However, I think the most rewarding part was actually the last two Practical Assessments, because, although nerve wracking, I could see how much I had learned and was able to put into practice.
How did you fit coach training into your busy life?
You do have to carefully plan your diary if you want to complete the Diploma in the sort of time frame that I did.
Where are you now? How are you using your coaching skills?
I am a founding partner in a new business, in which we help senior executives move on after long term careers. This can involve helping them find a new career role, or just as easily something completely different that better reflects where they are now in their lives. Coaching is obviously a key component of this. I am actually operating as the mentor in the business, but I knew it was essential that I had the coaching skills to back this up and to work effectively without team of coaches.
What is your coaching niche and why did you choose it?
Our niche is supporting business leaders who have come to a crossroads in their lives and need help with where to go next.
What are your top tips for:
People who are looking to become qualified as a professional coach
Stay active. As with any skill it needs constant practice and I have found that there is a vast treasure trove of literature out there. I ensure that I always have a ‘coaching' book on the go. At the moment, I’m reading If I could tell you just one thing by Richard Reed. I find there is so much to learn from the wisdom of others - all of which enriches my coaching.
Those currently in training with TCA
The syllabus for TCA Life Coaching Diploma is extensive - which is great in terms of the richness of the content, but it does mean you have to step back and carefully examine exactly what is expected of you. So, my top tip is to take the time to read through all the on-line TCA literature. Find out exactly what is required of you as soon as possible and then plan your approach to your diploma. This is adult learning and you are therefore expected to look after yourself in managing your diploma. I would have saved myself a great deal of time if I had taken this advice at the start of my diploma!
TRANSFORM LIVES THROUGH COACHING
If Toby's words inspire you and if you would like to learn valuable coaching skills and knowledge that can accelerate your personal and professional growth, why not come along to our Free Foundation in Life Coaching Course and learn more. This could be your first step towards a rewarding and fulfiling career!
The Coaching Academy was established in 1999, and is now the world's largest coaching school.
In that time we have trained over 14,000 people to become life coaches.
We are accredited by the International Coach Federation and the Association for Coaching, and we're rated 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
