4 Benefits of an International Coaching Federation Credential

Consulting services are a major industry in the United States and around the world. According to the Statista Research Department, the global consulting industry was worth approximately 132 billion dollars in 2020.

If those seeking consulting services are willing to invest that much in hiring consultants, they want (and need) to know they are hiring a consultant or consulting firm that is worthwhile. Similarly, in the competitive consulting services market, it is critical that consultants define and verify set standards that will guide their work.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) works to provide industry standardization and best practices for professional coaches. Consulting coaches benefit from purusing ICF credentials, and those hiring a coach benefit from hiring someone with an ICF credential.

There are four distinct benefits to pursuing a credential with ICF to verify your practice:

1. Clients Expect Good Training — Pursuing Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credentialing through ICF demonstrates to your potential clients that you will follow ethical standards. In the 2022 Global Consumer Awareness Study, 85% of coaching clients said it was important or very important that their coach held a certification or credential.
2. High-Standard Community — Joining a community like ICF holds you and all other ICF credential holders worldwide to a high standard. This shared standard provides credibility to your practice as you connect with potential clients. Additionally, you will be a part of a global community of peers. This community will allow you to grow as you connect and learn from others in the same area of practice.
3. Stay Current on Best Practices — ICF’s goal is to move the leadership and coaching industry forward. Through the Thought Leadership Institute, ICF brings together researchers, influencers, innovators, and more industry leaders to craft and hone ICF models of coaching. This allows clients to know that ICF-credentialed members are current with research-based best practices.
4. Personal Growth — The lessons you learn as you train to be a certified coach will impact your clients and workplace and take you on a personal journey. As you study the material and practice ICF methods, you will also have time to examine your own journey and path forward.

Huntington University’s Leadership Coaching Certificate course is ICF approved, meaning that when you earn your Leadership Coaching Certificate at Huntington University, you will — upon completion of the coursework — have met the ICF’s coach-specific training and mentor coaching requirement. Learn more about HU’s program in partnership with CAST (Coach Approach Skill Training) at huntington.edu/Coaching.