|
 President's Message
What is coaching? I was forced to answer this question back in the late 1990's with every new prospect I wanted to coach. From around 2007 through 2010 prospects were no longer asking, "What is coaching?" Instead they were asking "Are you certified?" Today, prospects are asking, "Did you get your training at an ICF Accredited Coach Training School?"
We have come a long way in raising public awareness about professional coaching -- what it is, how it's different from other helping professions, and how it can help. And with that comes an increased focus on the processes coaches use to help clients achieve their goals.
A recent (2010) ICF commissioned Global Consumer Awareness study of over 15,000 adults across 20 countries conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that more than half of adults over the age of 25 are aware of professional coaching. And, depending on location, up to 91% of these consumers and prospective consumers of coaching said that certification was either important or very important.
As someone who places coaches in organizations across the country, I know firsthand that business consumers are demanding more from coaches than ever before -- not only with regard to certification but also with regard to training and the ability to show clearly defined, measurable outcomes. This is due in part to: (1) increased awareness and demand; (2) rapid growth of the coaching profession (ICF attracts 500 new members every month); (3) economic globalization (which increases competition); and (4) increased pressure for businesses to produce more with less. It won't be long before this demand trickles down to non-business consumers.
How will we meet this challenge? I believe that there are three very important and distinct but overlapping pillars that will be necessary for coaches to meet this challenge, regardless of niche (population served) or specialty (expertise): leadership, recognition, and sustainability.
- Leadership -- we must be leaders in our communities and within the field of coaching. PACA must attract, retain, and help develop leaders.
- Recognition -- we need to clearly and specifically identify who we are, what we do, and who we serve. We then need to promote this via the internet (such as social networking and an appealing website), at networking functions, and by word of mouth. PACA must more fully and consistently leverage the ICF brand, taking advantage of the enormous talent and millions of dollars that ICF invests in promoting coaching.
- Sustainability -- we must consistently improve our coaching processes, supporting the art of coaching with evidence-based science (figuring out how to replicate our processes to get predictable results), and we must support each other (a big piece of a much larger pie is much better than an entire very small pie). PACA must do the same -- improve its processes and continue to meet the changing needs of our members.
These pillars will be my focus during my time as President. In fact, at the February 17th dinner meeting you will hear from each board member on how they plan to carry out this focus. And, they will be looking for you to get involved in helping them. I strongly encourage you to get involved, devoting as little or much time and energy that feels right. It is likely to be both professionally and personally rewarding. Following the board presentations you will hear from my good friend and business partner, Dr. Robert ("Boogs") Bulgarelli about the changes in health care and the opportunity that exists for coaches.
The field of coaching is growing and changing more rapidly than ever before. If we stay stagnant, then coaching will become just a hobby that we do with people we know. But, with excellent training and certification, well crafted and consistent branding, supporting each other (what goes around truly does come around) and constantly assessing and meeting our clients' and prospects' needs, then we can have thriving coaching businesses -- truly changing the world, one coaching client or coaching group at a time.
With gratitude and respect,
Jeff Kaplan, 2011 PACA President
president@philadelphiacoaches.org
|
| Upcoming Meetings |
Our February meeting will feature Dr. Robert Bulgarelli speaking on "The Integrative Medical Home Model: A New Era in Health Coaching."
Known as "Dr. Bob", Dr. Robert Bulgarelli's main area of interest and expertise is in the growing field of Mind/Body Medicine and on the role of psycho-emotional stress on the development and perpetuation of heart disease. He is a skilled practitioner and teacher of meditation and relaxation techniques. He is an experienced group facilitator and is a senior staff member in The Mankind Project; an international men's organization that hosts experiential, interpersonal Men's weekend retreats.
Our speaker for March plans to be equally as compelling to the coaching community. Dr. Dana Lightman's topic is "Positive Practices to Unleash Client POWER". She is an accomplished motivational keynote speaker and trainer specializing in the field of optimism. She brings over 20 years experience as a presenter, psychotherapist, and educator. Earning her Doctorate in Behavioral Science, Dana is an expert in positive psychology.
As a reminder, in addition to getting to know your community of coaches, each of these meetings offers up to 1.5 CCEU credits.
Plan to attend for the topics and the credits. And our monthly meetings will now feature an element of "play" orchestrated by our Chief Play Officer, Jill Magerman. Come join us for fun, community and learning. |
| February Monthly Dinner Meeting | |
Date & Time: Thursday, February 17, 2011 - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Topic: The Integrative Medical Home Model: A New Era in Health Coaching
Speaker: Dr. Robert Bulgarelli, DO
CEU Credits: 1.5 Business Development CCEU's Location: Double Tree Guest Suites, 640 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA (610) 834-8300
Register Here!
Directions: Click here Agenda:
6:00-6:30 pm New Member Pre-Meeting
6:00-6:30 pm Registration
6:45-7:00 pm President's Remarks
7:00-8:30 pm Dinner Presentation
8:30-9:00 pm Informal Networking
Known as "Dr. Bob", he will discuss trends in the home health care model, including how technology will change how services are delivered. As a result of this, the role of the health coach is evolving. Find out what this new model means for all coaches (not just health coaches)!
Dr. Bob is an entertaining speaker and is especially attuned to the needs and interests of coaches. Don't miss this unique evening.
|
| Member Corner - Jeff Kaplan | |
by Patricia Weeks
While most of you have seen our new President's bio, we thought it would be interesting to dig a little deeper in his thoughts about coaching. Jeff didn't come readily to coaching. He says that he pushed the idea of coaching away for 3 years in the 90's, dismissing it as a "backdoor way for unqualified people to enter a counseling profession." He ended up getting interested when he realized that coaching values and beliefs fit him (he had never bought into the medical model that a person is broken and we fix them). He remembers seeing an unsolicited flyer from Widener for a course called "Psychologist as Coaches," and felt he could wrap arms around that idea. Later that same day, he was reading an online e-newsletter, The Independent Psychologist, advertising a training school specializing in training therapists to become coaches. Despite having a successful full time practice, he found himself impressed by this way of helping people, got out his credit card, and signed up for a $2,000 foundation coach training program with MentorCoach.
Three years later, Jeff ran support groups for new students at MentorCoach before joining the faculty and teaching the foundations program for three years. Despite already having his Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) Certification from CTI, a 177-hour certification program, Jeff felt he needed to go through the same steps as his students and went through an additional 200 hours of training and certification from MentorCoach. Wanting to learn different styles of coaching, he also spent a weekend with Thomas Leonard.
As Jeff immersed himself in coaching, he has been pleased and affirmed in his own practice that coaching can help people change for good in a very short period of time. Jeff's typical client is a CEO of a hospital - bright and gifted intuitively but not allowing that intuition to express itself because of beliefs that it is not appropriate in the business world. Together, Jeff and his clients work to claim that part of themselves. He notes that these executives are cognitively and technically skilled and have successfully climbed the corporate ladder but without the strength of self awareness. He has been pleased to watch business executives transform organizations as a result of this new awareness. In general, his clients range from physician leaders to hospital executives to financial executives with an overall focus on leadership development. In addition, as co-founder of Habit Change Company, he hires and trains health coaches to help patients, executives, and others achieve vitality and longevity through greater emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Jeff counts as one of his mentors Annie McKee who helped him gain proficiency in helping executives develop their emotional intelligence.
Given two weeks of free professional development, Jeff would obtain International Gestalt Leadership training, a goal he has had on his radar since the 90's. He notes that to be really effective, he would have to enroll in a one or two year long leadership program. In addition, he might pursue Robert Fritz' "Path of least Resistance" workshop or participate in a 14-day meditation retreat (the longest he's done so far is 5 days).
Asked what he is most proud of, Jeff responds "creating an open life with his partner and acquiring a puppy." He is particularly proud of the path he has traveled: where he came from to where he is today with respect to his level of awareness.
Jeff's "words to live by" depends, he says, upon what month or year it is. He notes his symbol is a lion (medicine name is lion protector), simultaneously protecting of community and a playful cub. He quotes Eckhart Tolle: "Be one with life" and urges us to be in the moment, and, in business, lead with heart.
|
|
Maximize your Coaching Impact | |
(this is a paid advertisement)
Imagine for a moment what it would feel like to offer your clients better support between calls. Imagine if your coaching relationships could deepen and flourish. Imagine if it was easier to attract new clients and retain the ones you have by providing even better service and greater resources. Imagine if you could do all this while saving yourself time and effort.
As founders of the Coaching Sanctuary, we designed this unique service to help you be more successful. We know what happens between coaching calls is as important as what happens on the calls. This service gives you the ability to provide better support between coaching sessions, and for your clients to engage more easily in working toward their goals.
Coaching Sanctuary service for coaches (http://www.coachingsanctuary.com/coaches) provides you and your clients with all relevant coaching information in one place, accessible anywhere and at anytime. (Your emails won't ever again get lost in the weekly flood of communications.)
Attend our product demo webinars (30 min): every Thursday in January, February 3 and 10 and every Thursday in March at 5pm EST. Please send an email to bettina@coachingsanctuary.com to sign up.
Bettina Jetter is a co-active coach, entrepreneur and author with a passion for creating meaningful products that positively impact people's lives. Her creations include Life Coaching application, Coaching Sanctuary (http://www.coachingsanctuary.com/coaches); a technology company Mindjet; and an inspirational book, The Cancer Code - How a Journey Through Leukemia Led to a Software that Changed the Way People Work. |
|
| New PACA Member Benefits |
PACA Logo Available to PACA Members!
If you are a PACA member, you can now download the PACA logo and add it to your website, marketing materials, and more. Simply log into the Members Area, click on Member Resources, read the PACA Logo Guidelines, and download the logo.
Advertise with PACA!
Advertise your workshops on PACA's home page, monthly newsletter or on PACA's Calendar of Events. And PACA Members receive special discounted rates! Check out your options and rates from PACA's home page. For more information, contact Suzanne Perry, our VP of Communications at communications@philadelphiacoaches.org.
PACA Name Badges!
Have you ever gone to a PACA meeting and wondered how you too could have your own printed 'gold or silver-plated' name badge? PACA members can order their personalized name badges through our preferred vendor. Log into the Members Area, and click on Member Resources for ordering information. Vendor pricing and shipping charges are applicable.
|
| Connection with Your Executive Board! |
Join us at a PACA Board Meeting to get better acquainted with your Board: 1st Thursday of each month from 8:30 - 10:45 am.
As location varies, please contact PACA Secretary Dena Lefkowitz secretary@philadelphiacoaches.org or 484-442-8210 to confirm your attendance at a Board meeting and receive instructions.
If you have suggestions or observations about our community, please feel free to contact any of the Board members http://www.philadelphiacoaches.org/contact.html.
|
|
|
Interested in Being Interviewed for Our Member Column?
Please contact
Pat Weeks at:
|
|
|
Display Your Products And Promotional Materials At Monthly Meetings
Did you know?
PACA members are welcome to bring and display their coaching products at all monthly PACA meetings. A long-standing member-only benefit, a table will now be available just for PACA members to display their items.
So bring your coaching tools, books, flyers of upcoming events, etc. and share with our community!
For more information, please contact Clare Sautter at Claresautter@comcast.net or 610-304-5829.
|
|
|
Good News?
Have you been:
Covered in the news
Published in a magazine
Quoted as an expert?
Then we want to know! Send your good news links to communications@ philadelphiacoaches.org so we can share with the whole PACA community. |
|
| | Yahoo PACA Discussion Group: |
|
|
|
|
