b'TO TRAIN ORNOT TO TRAIN?That is the question - and a frequently asked onewhen it comes to coaching.It also needs a body that ensures standards are maintained; especially true if coaching eventually becomes a regulated industry. Accredited coach training, recognised by the main industry coaching associations such as the Association for Coaching or the ICF (International Coaching Federation), strengthens the profession as a whole, giving coaches both external credibility and internal confidence.2. Serving the Client (the most important reason)The job of a coach is to assist the client in moving from where they are to where they want to be. The effective coach facilitates this based on who the client is and by following the clients interest at all times. They need to know how to do this based on key competencies, knowledge, understanding and skills and to be able to set aside their own personal judgements to work in the world of the client and to recognise when a client needs assistance outside of the coachs skillset.Clients pay for results, not company so coaches need to be focused, structured and effective and a coach without training or supervision is in danger of believing their own publicity and moving far from the coaching framework.If we are to be part of a profession that is recognised and respected, if we are to establish coaching as a major force in personal and professional development, if we are to ethically serve our clients and help them grow, develop and achieve their goals, there needs to be more than anSteve Payne, Ill do it my way attitude to learning the craft. Coach, Master NLP Some people do have natural sensibilities and talent in some areas; this will not cover the full range of what itTrainer, Founder of The takes to be a great coach. Academy of Coaching and These are just some of the reasons why, to serve our Training, International clients powerfully and with integrity in this unregulated world of coaching, coach training and affiliation with aExecutive Coach, Keynote recognised industry body, is a must-have, as opposed to Speaker, Co-author a nice-to-have. of My 31 Practices.taoct.uk07'