What Qualifications Do Business Coaches Need to Succeed?

Becoming a certified business coach requires dedication and hard work. Learn what qualifications are needed for success as a business coach.

What Qualifications Do Business Coaches Need to Succeed?

Becoming a certified business coach is a major commitment that requires dedication and hard work. To become a certified business coach, you must complete 125 hours of coaching training, 10 hours of mentoring according to the requirements of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and obtain a Business Coach Certificate (BCC). You can choose to further your studies through self-study, teleclass (telephone contact), online study, and specialized training classes and niche training. The credits earned will be applied to the ICF certification in addition to the BCC.

The World Coach Institute is an accrediting agency for business coaches, and the Institute for Leadership and Management (ILM) offers accredited business coaching, management training, and leadership development programs. For those who want an accredited business coaching qualification, an ILM diploma or certificate course is the ideal choice. Business coaching is the second fastest-growing industry in the United States, with an average annual growth rate of 6%. This steady growth of the business coaching industry is a testament to its value in both personal and professional life.

More and more people are turning to business coaches to unlock their untapped potential. To become a successful business coach, you need to possess certain skills and knowledge. You must have an innate drive to lead and support others, combined with business acumen and the skillful application of skills, strategies, and training frameworks to meet the client's needs. You should also focus on continuously learning new information about your industry and constantly improving your training skills.

In a recent global study conducted by the American Management Association, companies were asked to identify the criteria they used when hiring a business advisor and then correlate that strategy with the results. It's important to note that there is no universal consensus within the business coaching community about what certifications a coach should have. However, certifications are a major investment in becoming a comprehensive coach. For example, there is a coaching area dedicated to entrepreneurial mothers, which is usually included in coaching for small businesses. Taking the time to train will provide you with the tools to navigate the many dynamics that you will be asked to address in your business coaching relationships. If you've made it this far in the article, you're probably pretty sure that you have the necessary training skills and that you've made the decision to start your journey as a coach.

It is for those executive coaches who want to accredit, validate or improve their skills with an internationally recognized executive coaching qualification.