Decoding the Coaching Genome
Want to deepen your coaching skills?
Enjoy a sense of community with other coaches?
Looking for Continuing Coach Education Units (CCEUs)?
Then let me share my experience of a program I completed last Fall.
In December 2017, I graduated from the Decoding the Coaching Genome program (DCG). The 12 week deep dive into the ICF’s 11 core competencies was hugely beneficial for me. I had spent so much time on trainings around building my coaching practice, that I felt I had not given enough attention to developing my coaching ‘toolkit”. DCG presented the perfect opportunity to address this in a cost effective way, without the need to travel.
I enjoyed the opportunity to deepen my awareness around each skill and how they work together as a cohesive whole. The experiential nature of the course meant that although I was learning new material, I was quickly able to integrate the learning. I had multiple opportunities to practice during live calls each week with other coaches from around the world. This was perhaps the most powerful aspect for me - the safe space created to experiment, fail and grow.
Although at first I was a little apprehensive of the online classroom, I quickly overcame this. The orientation call with one of the faculty meant that within a week or two, I became familiar with the platform, the structure of the weekly calls and preparatory work.
Perhaps most surprising was the co-leads ability to create deep connection virtually. The sense of community was comparable with “in the room” trainings (like my coach training program from CTI). I didn’t think this was possible! But the intimacy between the course participants was palpable.
The final week of the twelve saw one coach step forward to coach live. Judith Cohen, Master Coach and Co-Lead of DCG then performed a real-time supervision. This was a fascinating, if a little scary, chance to learn from a highly experienced coach and supervisor. I took so much from the 12 weeks. I felt my confidence grow measurably as a direct result. And the 24 CCEUs helped with my ICF credential renewal.
And that wasn’t the end of the story. This Spring, I was invited to join the faculty of the Wisdom Tree Academy. As I write, I have just Co-Lead week 11 of my first 12 week program. The experience this time around has of course been quite different. However, what has stayed the same is the intimate and safe space Judith and I have created to allow for the learning, growth and transformation of the coach participants.
This cohort has been mixed with attendees from Africa, the Americas and Europe. The level of coaching experience has also varied from those fresh from coach training to those with several years under their belt. Whatever you bring to the mix is welcome. The experiential learning is fun, varied and rich.
Our next program kicks off on 20 September 2018, with an orientation call one week prior. I am delighted to be able to offer GCA members a 10% discount on the standard course fee. So why not join us for this profound journey that will take your coaching skill to a whole new level? Mastery awaits those that have the courage to take the risk. Will you?
Here is the link to my calendar to arrange an exploratory call: https://thecoaches.as.me/intro-session. I will happily answer any questions that you may have. Looking forward to reconnecting!
Craig G. Howe
Coach and Experiential Facilitator