ICF Mentor Coaching Overview

 
 

What is coach mentoring? 

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines Mentor Coaching as providing professional assistance in achieving and demonstrating the levels of coaching competency demanded by the desired credential level sought by a coach applicant (mentee). Furthermore, Mentor Coaching means an applicant (mentee) being coached on their coaching skills rather than coaching on practice building, life balance, or other topics unrelated to the development of an applicant’s coaching skill. As an MCC, I still invest in Mentor Coaching every year- this is one of the best investments I have made in my coaching growth and development!

Key Tip: Consider working with a Mentor Coach who is a current ICF Assessor because they know the Core Competencies tremendouly well and understand the ICF’s rigorous assessment criteria.

Key Components of Coach Mentoring for ICF Credential:

Collaborative and Appreciative Approach: Mentor Coaching for ICF Credentialing involves a collaborative and appreciative approach. It is not a directive process but rather a partnership where the mentor and the coach work together to enhance coaching capabilities.

Observation and Feedback: The process includes observing or reviewing recorded coaching sessions. The mentor provides constructive feedback based on the observed sessions, aiming to help the coach improve and align with the ICF Core Competencies.

Purpose:  The primary purpose of Mentor Coaching is to assist coaches in achieving and demonstrating the necessary levels of coaching competency and capability required for the desired ICF credential. It is a professional assistance mechanism to ensure that coaches meet the established standards.

Extended Time Frame: Mentor Coaching is not a one-time event. It occurs over an extended period, with a minimum duration of three months. This time frame allows for a comprehensive cycle of listening, feedback, reflection, and practice.

Paths Requiring Mentor Coaching: Individuals pursuing various ICF credential paths, such as ACC ACSTH, ACC Portfolio, PCC Level 1 / ACSTH, PCC Portfolio, MCC Portfolio, and ACC Renewal, are required to participate in Mentor Coaching before submitting their credential application.

Renewal Requirement: Coaches seeking to renew their ACC Credential are obligated to complete an additional 10 hours of Mentor Coaching beyond the requirements for their initial credential. This ensures that coaches continue to develop and refine their skills over time.

Coach Mentoring Duties

ICF Mentor Coaches:

  1. Model effective initiation and contracting of client relationship

  2. Explore fully with a potential mentee what they are looking to achieve

  3. Ensure both are clear about the purpose of the mentoring

  4. Establish measures of success in partnership with the mentee

  5. Fully discuss fees, time frame, and other aspects of a Mentor Coaching relationship

  6. Inform the mentee regarding all aspects of the ICF Code of Ethics

  7. Inform the mentee of the availability of the Ethical Conduct Review Board

  8. Support mentee self‐confidence by encouraging potential mentees to interview more than one mentor coach candidate in order to find the best match

  9. Make no guarantee to the mentee that as a result of the mentoring the mentee will obtain the credential level s/he is seeking

  10. Focus on core competency development by reviewing and providing oral and written feedback on a series of the mentee’s coaching sessions

    • These sessions are to be conducted one at a time, with a feedback session between each one, giving enough time between sessions to allow for incorporation of the mentee’s learning and development.

  11. Provide specific verbal and/or written feedback, using targeted examples from the sessions so that:

    • The mentee will know exactly what s/he is doing well.

    • The mentee understands what needs to be done to develop a deeper level of mastery in coaching.

  12. Demonstrate that s/he is learning about the mentee at many levels at once and is able to hold all of that in the context of:

    • Who the mentee is

    • What the mentee is seeking

    • Honoring the mentee’s unique style

What are the ICF coaching mentor requirements to renew the ACC credential?

To renew an ACC (Associate Certified Coach) credential with the International Coach Federation (ICF), coaches must fulfill specific requirements. Here are the ACC renewal requirements based on the provided information:

Mentor Coaching:

●      Completion of 10 hours of Mentor Coaching with an eligible Mentor Coach over a minimum of three months in the three years since the initial award of the credential or since the last credential renewal.

●      If the Mentor Coach holds an ACC Credential, they are required to have renewed their ACC at least once.

●      The mentoring must take place over at least three months or longer. For example, if the first session is on March 14, then the last session must be on June 14 or after.

●      Mentor Coaching is a requirement for each ACC renewal cycle.

Submission Process:

●      To renew the ACC Credential, coaches need to submit the online credential renewal application with appropriate documentation.

●      The current estimated timeline for the review of renewal applications is 6-8 weeks.

Renewal Fees:

●      Renewal fees are $175 USD for ICF Members and $275 USD for Non-members.

Coaches should access their renewal application by logging into their ICF profile and navigating to the "My Credentials" section. It's important for coaches to ensure that they fulfill the specified requirements within the three-year renewal period to maintain their ACC credential.

ICF Credential Renewal Website: https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/renew-credential

Mentor Coaching Opportunities(NOT an exhaustive list!)

****Sheila Rotelli is not currently taking on new Mentor clients but you can email when you are looking for Mentoring to see if that has changed.