[Notes: Pyramid Coaches DJ Mitsch and Marcia Reynolds are past presidents of the International Coach Federation, the first and largest professional association for the coaching industry. Marcia attended last week’s international conference in San Jose, CA and filed this report]
As I walked up the steps of the conference center, I felt something was wrong. There wasn’t the whirlwind of chaotic energy like years gone by. When the ICF was young and we were a part of creating this organization to support the phenomenon called “coaching,” the conference hummed with our excitement.
Within minutes, I discovered what had happened. The ICF has truly grown up. There was an air of professionalism demonstrating that coaching has gone from a wonderful idea into not just a profession, but a global industry. I missed the old days where it was a love fest of old and new friends. Yet I was proud to see the evidence that the world is taking coaching seriously. Now, we can really do the work we intended.
The next three days were filled with amazing keynote speakers and thought provoking sessions. The speakers not only engaged us to think about what first inspired us to be coaches to revive our passion, they put our work in the context of how we can impact the world. They gave us insight into the women who are surviving wars to the companies who are mastering innovation. And behind the scenes of these victories are coaches working with the leaders of our non-profit as well as for profit organizations, and even our governments.
I heard about good sessions on marketing techniques and coaching skills with fabulous demonstrations. I attended a fascinating session that explored the coach’s perception of failure and how that could impact coaching with a client facing difficulties. And there was also a wonderful “play” session where we participated in improv exercises that helped us explore emotional expression. And Pyramid’s own Harriett Simon Salinger led a beautiful session on Silence.
The ICF is not what it used to be. I am sad, proud, hopeful and grateful for this. And I hope to see you next year at the conference in Montreal.
