I started the qualification to enhance my ability as a director to coach my team, executive leadership team and board. At the end of the qualification I see myself starting a business.
Now I have completed the qualification I have a greater understanding, skills and knowledge across so much. The qualification is tough and in depth. I have an increased my understanding, skills and knowledge across what a high standard of executive coaching practise looks like in terms of ethics, standards, application, boundaries, coaching culture and personality assessments. When employed I was part of the company’s coaching network and provided coaching to colleagues.
The programme added value as I was bringing in a professionalism and standards that I had learnt on the course. As self-employed I can bring my skills to those clients I work with to support their development, self-awareness and aspirations. If I return to being employed I’ll have a richer skill set and knowledge to bring into the company based on a culture of learning, mindset and looking to get the best out of people. I underestimated the level and depth of the course content. I learnt over time that you wanted me to gain the best standard I could for the qualification and would push me as well as support me to excel in places and reach good enough in others. In reflection it would have helped me at the beginning of the course to understand more about your own style as a tutor and mine as a learner.
I now know you’ll provide a mix of coach, advice, guidance, direction depending on what you see on the assessment submission. I’m likely to hide if I feel stuck rather than asking for help – so I need to ask for help before I go into a hole and be more open about struggles, as well as wins! The course is very self directed and once I teamed up with two other learners, I made quicker progress as I felt I had a mini support network. Some learners might not need this – I realise that I do as I process by talking things out loud.