The profession of coaching hardly follows a one size fits all approach. It has multiple bifurcations and specializations beyond the periphery of life coaching. Today, in this blog, we will talk about business coaching, one of the specializations that have gained significant traction over the years. We will acquaint you with what it means to be a business coach, the duration of the training, and other details on business coaching certification in the USA.
What does a Business Coach Do?
Business coaching is a collaborative relationship between a professional coach and a business owner or CEO. Here, the former helps and motivates the latter in assessing the present position of the business and then taking it to the point where the CEO/business owner wants it to be.
A business coach is neither a mentor nor a business advisor. Business Coaches assist business owners in gaining a clarified vision of their business, goal alignments, services clarity, and many other aspects. Unlike a mentor, the business owner does not offer advice to the business owner. A coach supports the client through coaching sessions that encourage goal-planning and imbibe a sense of accountability.
To summarize, here is what a business coach does:
- Collaborate with the business owner to build actionable goal-oriented plans with a futuristic perspective.
- Foster business owners’ performance, staying contextual to the business.
- Coach senior executives in discovering their path to business success.
How long does it take to become an ICF-accredited Business Coach?
If you have your heart and mindset on becoming a business coach in the USA, then it is best to initiate your training with that specialization at the forefront. Having a business coaching certification in the USA, followed by an ICF credential, can put you directly on the professional coaches list and get more clients.
Besides the formal educational and professional qualifications, you need to complete the training hours and get certified by a notable organization like the ICF (International Coaching Federation.
The time required depends on the level you are attempting and the accreditation. For example, under ICF, there are three levels,
- Associate Certified Coach
- Professional Certified Coach
- Master Certified Coach
People typically start with the ACC level taking up the ACSTH pathway (Approved Coach Specific Training Hours). In that case, the aspirant must complete at least 60 hours of coach-specific training, followed by a minimum of 100 hours of coaching experience and 10 hours of a mentoring session. On average, it can take around 3 to 6 months to complete coaching training and a few months more to gain the required coaching experience hours. However, right after getting your business coaching certification in the USA, you can start working as a professional coach and gather experience hours for ICF Credential.
Conclusion
On a concluding note, first, you need to enroll in a legitimate business coaching program accredited by the ICF or the EMCC and other similar organizations. You can check out the courses and modules offered by Coach Transformation Academy, one of the leading institutes, offering coaching training with a global presence. Coach Transformation Academy offers an extensive range of specializations, including the Business Coaching Certification Program imparted by credentialed coaches.
