ICF reaches milestone in certification program designed to ensure coaches' competence while serving consumers, inspiring continuous development
LEXINGTON, Ky., June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Lesley Fraser, a New Zealand-based Leadership Coach, is the 10,000th professional coach to hold a Credential from the International Coach Federation (ICF). Fraser, the director of Fraser Consultants Limited, earned her Professional Certified Coach designation on June 12, 2013.
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The mission of the ICF Credentialing program is to measure and certify competence of individual coaches, protect and serve consumers of coaching services, and inspire pursuit of continuous development. ICF Credentials are offered at three levels: Associate Certified Coach, Professional Certified Coach and Master Certified Coach.
Fraser began coaching in 2003 after traveling a career path that included 25 years in the education sector. She was working in corporate communications when she says a magazine article changed her path once more.
"I was reading an interview with a fashion designer I really admire because of the way she's able to reinvent herself," Fraser says. "In the article, she said that you have to listen to the nudge of your subconscious mind—so that's what I did." Fraser cut her hours at her corporate job back to part-time to accommodate coach training and began working as a Life Coach when her training was complete. (She's since diversified her practice, and now specializes in coaching executives, senior leaders and emerging leaders.)
Fraser says achieving an ICF Credential had long been on her list of professional goals, but admits that the day-to-day work of running a coaching business kept her from pursuing ICF's ACC designation for practiced coaches. After she completed the requisite 750 hours of client coaching experience for the PCC Credential, however, she set a target date for completing her application.
"I think the ICF Credential adds to the professional status of coaching. It also gives coaches goals to aim for and provides recognition of the work that they put in," Fraser says.
She adds that the ICF Credential helps advance the coaching profession. "An ICF Credential gives prospective clients confidence in what the potential coach is offering. It's easy for coaches to talk themselves up, but an ICF Credential is an assurance that they have specific education, skills and experience."
Indeed, coaching consumers' awareness of the ICF Credential's value is growing. According to the 2010 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, clients who worked with an ICF Credentialed Coach were more likely to be satisfied with their coaching experience and recommend coaching to others. To connect coaching clients with ICF-Credentialed coaches, the ICF hosts the Coach Referral Service (CRS), a free, searchable directory of ICF Credential holders. Clients can use the CRS to identify coaches well-suited to their needs and situation. The CRS is accessible via ICF's website, Coachfederation.org.
Fraser says she looks forward to pursuing an MCC Credential, with its requisite 2,500 hours of client coaching experience. "Coaching is a really satisfying profession," she says. "I work with people to help them hear themselves think clearly. I'm helping them be the best that they can be."
She'll also continue to make time for the activities that fuel her personally. As a grandmother to six children—with one more on the way—Fraser says, "My wonderful husband and family are a very significant part of my life." She also enjoys immersing herself in books and movies, boating, enjoying the outdoors, and partaking in "good wine and good company."
The International Coach Federation is the leading global organization for coaches, with more than 20,000 members and 10,000 credentialed coaches in more than 100 countries worldwide. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high ethical standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. Coaching is a distinct service and differs greatly from therapy, consulting, mentoring or training. ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. For more information, please visit our website at www.coachfederation.org.
ICF HEADQUARTERS CONTACT:
Abby Tripp Heverin, +1.859.219.3529
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