I’ve been coaching professionally since 1974!
Training the very best executive and life coaches is my life‘s purpose; it is the fulfillment of my destiny to have profound Coaching empower, enliven, and enlighten people and organizations throughout the world.
For the first time, in 2022, the ICF (founded in 1995) issued permission for accredited schools to offer a Level 3 training program, or what we like to call it, Coaching Mastery.
I can’t tell you how excited I am about designing training Level 3, or Coaching Mastery. It’s about me bequeathing the keys to the kingdom to those who will carry on the work at the highest level, and continue my legacy. I’ve always wanted to share every morsel of content that I could with eager coaches passionate to consume every subtle nuance of coaching at the “Mastery Level”
Ideally, our students in Coaching Mastery will already have their PCC and Level 3 will provide them with the additional 75 hours of training they need to qualify for the 200 hours of training, required by ICF.
Michael and I have spent the last several months designing Level 3 that takes everyone to the Mastery level, even those who don’t have their PCC yet, or those who only want the personal development experience, without the goal of becoming a master coach. The program is really profoundly empowering, inspirationally enlightening, and really fun! The 20 modules that are included are as follows:
Module 1: Overview of this ICF Coaching Mastery course welcomes participants, sets the purpose, context, and direction for the program, and launches the 20 week course in a manner that sets clear expectations on Zoom. The LMS (Learning Management System) and the MMSVT (Virtual Training) are both explained, a demonstration of a coaching session by an MCC level coach (Dr. Chérie) with a volunteer participant from the class, followed up with group mentoring, and when time permits, a breakout room.
Module 2 Compares the three ICF certification levels: ACC, PCC, and MCC. In this module we review every ICF Core Competency, provide definitions, and the expectations for demonstration at each level to present observable capability. There is a coaching demo with one of the participants, followed by group mentor coaching discussion; there is a breakout lab to connect and address any individual questions. Take-aways are solicited and the summary of the session completes a full ICF experience.
Module 3: The Journey to the Center of the Self invites each participant to take personal inventory regarding their life at this moment in time; to examine where they have been, where they are now, what is important to them, and where they ideally want to go next. The assumption is that to coach at MCC Level 3, the coach must have a clear understanding of “Who” they are in order to support their client’s exploration of “Who” they are as and what is important to them. Both coach and client must be connected to their authentic self and feel comfortable partnering with their client in values, motivation, and purpose. It also focuses on mindfulness and beingness. There is an MCC demonstration session followed by Mentor Coaching discussion. There is a Breakout Lab that focuses on the “Wheel of Preferences” (presented in onboarding) that is discussed for deeper insights into the authentic self as differentiated from the ego.
Module 4: Presents the Core Competency of Trust and Safety at the MCC level in the context of Co-creating the Relationship with the client. This also includes, presence, partnering, and establishing specific measures of success. In order to establish trust and safety, Module 4 illustrates how the coach’s empathy coupled with empowerment and concern for the client will elevate the client to transcend their circumstances, see things from a different perspective, and cause their desired outcome for each session. Permission is another aspect that is addressed with the client, which is respectful and creates Emotional safety. Lastly, discussion of beingness vs. doingness at the MCC level, along with Brené Brown’s video on Vulnerability. There is an MCC Demo session offered with a participant, and a breakout lab addressing what it will take for the coach to create trust, safety, and transcend any judgments.
Module 5: Awareness, Beyond Beat-ups, and Impulse control takes the coach’s relationship with themself to a deeper level. The premise is that an MCC coach must give up self-criticism, self-diminishment, and self-sabotage to fully step into the MCC mindset. It addresses why loving, trusting, and honoring oneself, as an MCC coach are so essential to mastery level coaching. In Module 5, the management and focus of attention are primary motivators in human behavior; a central facet of Dr. Chérie’s lifelong work on how to coach Negaholic clients. In addition, Brené Brown’s video on blaming, is juxtaposed with the concept of bullying. Tangible ways to change reality, managing belief systems, creating positive imprints, and seven actions to change any behaviors are all explored with the participants in the context of “Who” the client is. There is an MCC Demo session, followed by group mentor coaching, and a breakout lab addressing what each participant must do to make the shift to being kind to themselves and eliminate perfectionistic behaviors.
Module 6: The Importance of Goals is fundamental for any successful coaching session. When the client proposes abstract outcomes, this module teaches how to dig deeper to derive a tangible goal for the session. This module also includes, “The Power of Wanting” is presented along with RAS, the Reticular Activation System, along with the importance of the “I Want Statement.” Establishing the coaching agreement is one of the cornerstones that sets coaching apart from other types of conversations. The goal or objective can be compared to a GPS in a vehicle. Without a destination, you could easily end up driving in circles. The goal makes the conversation consequent with a straight line, from start to finish. Participants learn how to formulate a winnable, and workable goal in the allotted timeframe. Participants learn how to formulate and understand what a clear and coachable goal is. The futility of circuitous thinking is exemplified with a graphic that shows the looping cycle identified by “Yeah-but.” Remember, if you don’t obtain the goal from your client, the time invested is merely a conversation, but not a coaching conversation. We will introduce Dr. Chérie’s “Should vs. Want” model, there is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, followed by a group mentor coaching discussion, along with a breakout lab addressing how to obtain a clear goal when the client doesn’t readily offer one.
Module 7: Self-Care for Life focuses on Personal Development and its Relationship to Coaching which is important for every coach to know. Personal Development and coaching work together, hand in hand, for both the coach and the client. As your clients grow in and through their coaching, they will naturally want to grow their “Selves” in parallel.
What does reflective practice look like to an MCC coach?
What is the next level of cleaning an MCC’s vessel?
A video on self-care sheds additional light on this topic. An MCC Demo session is offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing self-care and lifelong learning.
Module 8: is focused on Growth mindset / Not knowing. The mindset of “Not knowing what is best for the client” is both a confident and humble orientation that utilizes all of the ICF core competencies to support the client. Empathy (rather than sympathy), staying unattached to the outcome (empathetic unattachment), and being reflective all encourage the coach to lead by example. There is an MCC Demo session, a breakout lab addressing knowing and not knowing, and techniques to click into the “Not knowing” mindset. Finally, this module ends with the Coaching Angels Prayers.
Module 9: The MMS Model of Desire, Willingness, Belief, and Commitment is a model designed by Dr. Chérie and frames coachability. At the beginning of any potential coaching engagement, a match must be determined between coach and client in terms of expectations, style, energy, and compatibility. Desire, Willingness, Belief, and Commitment, partnering at every juncture create a powerful experience. The coach’s quiet mind, focus, active and accurate listening, coupled with active presence, create a circuit bubble of positive energy and possibility. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, and a breakout lab addressing these four elements: Desire, Willingness, Belief, and Commitment.
Module 10: Listening, Connecting, and Silence enable the participant to explore the deeper levels of listening and silence in order to fully empower the client through their reflective moments. Holding silence for the client often generates new awareness and insights for the client to explore. Listening Actively to the client’s word choices, observing the client’s body language, paying attention to the client’s energy all open up the possibility for deeper awareness. Listening Actively focuses on what must happen for the coach to totally quiet their mind throughout the coaching session. Included in communication are restating and recapping two aspects of active listening that can only happen with a quiet mind and fully engaged focus that enables listening. We will address triggers at a deeper MCC level and their ability to regulate one’s emotions. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing how participants feel about silence and what they need to do to overcome their discomfort.
Module 11: Focuses on Heightened Sensitivity and Emotional Intelligence. Emotional Intelligence is critical as Daniel Goleman’s model on EQ Theory and The Five Components. Without emotions, the coaching conversation is merely transactional accountability. Included is the focus on what is vibration and how to create it. This emotional component of coaching includes accessing and connecting to one’s emotions, supporting your clients in the emotional realms, the capacity to articulate what one is feeling, and how to address feelings effectively and responsibly with the executive who has not yet developed their Emotional Intelligence. This module also teaches the relationship between judgments, connection, compassion, and empathy. The group will watch a Brené Brown video on Empathy vs Sympathy with a following discussion. There is an MCC Demo session with a volunteer, and a breakout lab addressing emotional intelligence.
Module 12: Choices, Decisions and When to Refer a client to another professional are all addressed in Module 12. This Module presents very clear parameters and boundaries for coaching; it addresses when the coaching conversation exceeds those parameters, when it is time to refer the client to another professional. Knowing the signs and signals that indicate it is time to refer is one component of Module 12. This Module ensures that executive coaches know when that line is crossed. Specific examples illustrate the points, and the participants learn how to approach this delicate subject effectively. These are the times when a client requires another professional who has capabilities and training beyond what coaching offers. This module includes dealing with and managing transitions, along with noticing when a breakdown can transform into a breakthrough! There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing questions about when to refer a client.
Module 13: Relationship with Self explores Sub-personalities in depth as each participant is expected to take a full inventory of all the voices in their mind (pre-reading Become One). Coaches will encounter incongruences in clients. They will say one thing and do the exact opposite. They will make statements that appear to be in direct conflict with a previous statement. The name we have given to this incongruence is a “Sub-personality.” Knowing how to deal with opposing voices is a critical skill for MCC coaches. These incongruent behaviors evidence a lack of alignment, a limited belief about what is possible, and/or an internal unconscious conflict. Awareness is key to listening to the subconscious voices, unearthing the subtleties and nuances of inner voices that distract, derail, or demote the client. Case studies will be offered to explore as a group. The coach learns in module 13 how to illuminate these unconscious self-talk dialogues and empower the client to become senior to and inner conflict. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing one’s sub-personalities.
Module 14: Coaching the Whole Person focuses on coaching at the deeper level, what we call, the “Who.” There is also a focus on heightening awareness. We are asking the participants to sharpen their awareness while looking through the lens of the ICF Core Competencies. Level 3 is all about the client, how they see their world, and what they want to create for themselves at this particular juncture. Each coaching client has a challenge or a concern. Underneath every concern is a human being who has a choice to either stay stuck, or to grow, and transform. This means that they are open to look at their personal and professional development as a whole person. There is an MCC Demo session with a volunteer, and a breakout lab addressing what it will take for the participants to address the “Who” and get beyond the “What.”
Module 15: Triggers, Continually Cleaning the Vessel are critical in Coaching. Triggers are a restimulation from the past of an incident that was never completely experienced and when something similar, but different happens, it can easily stimulate the old experience. One of the keys to recognizing a trigger is that the “response” is disproportionate to the “stimulus.” Triggers can also be blind spots that can be addressed after receiving feedback from trusted colleagues, friends, and family members. In addition to the content on Triggers, the discussion, the reflective exercises to uncover the triggers, there is also a demo session, with a volunteer, and a breakout lab addressing awareness of triggers and what to do about them.
Module 16: ICF Core Values and Biases – This Module is one of the most important aspects in the coaching process. The Code of Ethics and the Core Values are critical to the ethical behavior of each member and coach. The Core Values include: Professionalism, Collaboration, Inclusion, Humanity, and Equality. In this MCC training, we will discuss with the participants what these Core Values mean to them. By bringing forth these core values, we continue learning in the field of coaching, developing continued self-awareness, self-monitoring, and self-improvement. Embodying these Core Values will continue to build on the MCC coaching mindset to be open, non-judgmental, and to represent the highest standards of the professional coaching. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing ICF Core Values.
Module 17: Energy, Chakras, and Flow are the subtle and non-visual energies used in coaching sessions. In order to be a truly brilliant coach, you need to clean house. This means that you use self-reflection, self-discovery, coaching, and self-coaching to grow yourself from the inside out. Module 17 enables you to connect with yourself on a deeper level so that you can “Be fully present” for your clients. It presents the energetic, non-physical, emotional safety between coach and client, the ICF terminology of “Coaching Presence” coupled with heightened awareness, the “MMS Coaching Bubble” or safe space is addressed and looked at from the whole person as an energy field. Included in this are: Creating Flow, establishing a positive vibration, energy exchange non-verbally, and utilizing power centers (Chakras) in the most empowering manner. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing cleaning the vessel and subtle energies.
Module 18: Transformation addresses transcending our belief systems. We review role models who exemplify transformation to imagine what extraordinary changes are possible. Discussions, breakout conversations, and opportunities to recognize connection are included in this Module. Transformation is growing closer to the authentic self, becoming more aligned with the person whom you truly are and continually want to become. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing transformative (defining moments) how to recognize them, and then how to use them to build a positive future.
Module 19: Happiness and Meaning coached by an MCC. Fundamental to the coaching experience and relationship is the existential question, Is it possible for a human to be happy? Also the question: What is the difference between happiness and meaning (fulfillment)? There is also a 13-minute video of Dr. Chérie on the topic of Happiness. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing the participant’s experiences of happiness and meaning. This provocative topic takes a deep dive to the questions related to human beings and the purpose of life. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing the topic of happiness vs. Meaning in the context of coaching.
Module 20: Living Life as a Master Certified Coach, Imagine That…is about how to live life as a coach with the integrity of “Being the Change,” modeling/embodying the behaviors, and leading by example. A coach can get away with “Doing” coaching at ACC level and they can also blend their knowledge at the PCC level, however, at MCC Level 3, the coach must integrate what they do as a coach with who they are as a person. “Who you are is how you coach.” We address self-coaching and self-development as ways to sharpen the sword. Living life as a coach has 12 key points that are addressed in this module. There is an MCC Demo session offered to participants, along with a breakout lab addressing any discrepancies between being a coach vs. doing coaching.
If reviewing this information resonates with you, please reach out to Michaelpomije@gmail.com or drcheriecs@gmail.com
