Learn about ICF

What is coaching?
The ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Professional coaching is an interactive process that helps individuals and organizations improve their performances and achieve extraordinary results. Coaches work with clients in all areas, including business, career, finances, health and relationships.

How are people using coaching?
As a result of professional coaching, clients set better goals, take more action, make better decisions, and more fully use their natural strengths. Organizations of all types and sizes have experienced the value professional coaching brings—increased business performance, improved product quality, higher employee retention and morale, greater employee commitment, leadership development, conflict reduction, team building skills, and more.

According to the 2010 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, more than two-fifths (42.6 percent) of respondents who had experienced coaching chose "optimize individual and/or team performance" as their motivation for being coached. This reason ranked highest followed by "expand professional career opportunities" at 38.8 percent and "improve business management strategies" at 36.1 percent. Other more personal motivations like "increase self-esteem/self-confidence" and "manage work/life balance" rated fourth and fifth to round out the top five motivation areas.

Is there research showing that coaching works?
Interested in working with a coach? Many people are upon learning about the return on investment that coaching can offer. Findings from the 2010 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study showed that 83 percent of the general public who have been involved in a coaching relationship were either "satisfied" or "very satisfied." The level of satisfaction was even higher (92 percent) among those who had worked with an ICF Credentialed coach.

Results from the 2009 ICF Global Coaching Client Study showed that companies that use or have used professional coaching for business reasons have seen a median return on investment of seven times their initial investment. Individual clients reported a median return on investment of 3.44 times their investment. Learn about the return on investment biotechnology giant Genentech experienced from coaching .

Need more information to support your case for coaching? Visit the ICF Research Portal to review case studies, whitepapers and more.

Looking to hire an ICF member coach for your organization?
ICF offers the following resources for those seeking a coach:

• ICF Coach Referral Service (CRS)—search for ICF Credentialed coaches;
• ICF Career Centre—post a job opening and review ICF member resumes;
• Tips for hiring a coach—learn what to look for and what to ask when hiring a coach;
• ICF Research Portal—find case studies and research that demonstrate the return on investment that coaching offers;
• ICF member directory—review contact information for ICF members.

Still have questions? Contact the ICF.

Why should coaches join the ICF?
Associations bind professions and professionals together. By joining and maintaining membership in the ICF, coaches inform others that they are part of an influential voice that is shaping the future of coaching around the globe.

ICF membership opens up a world of opportunity for professional development, networking and leadership in your profession from the local to global level.

Join us today and be a part of growing the worldwide coaching profession for tomorrow. Annual membership is only $195 USD.

Members say it best...
Here are just some of the most popular responses members give when asked why they joined the ICF:

• To belong to the premier professional coaching organization
• ICF is well-known for its commitment to raising the professional standards of coaching. Clients want to know that I'm professionally affiliated with a respected organization.
• ICF is an important, standard-setting and unifying governance body for this budding industry.
• Integrity - If I call myself a coach, I should belong to the organization that supplies a code of ethics.
• Access to research on coaching and development opportunities within the global coaching network
• Opportunity to support the growth and professionalism of the coaching industry

So many reasons to join...

Community: With over 20,000 members in more than 100 countries, you'll have lots of coaches to network around the globe. Connect through local ICF Chapters, ICF Special Interest Groups, ICF Virtual Education programs and Conferences, social media channels and more.

Education: The ICF strongly supports the continuation of education for its members. Each month, professionals have the opportunity to attend numerous seminars for Continuing Coaching Education Units (CCEUs). These credits can be used when applying for or renewing an ICF Credential.

Research: The research done by the ICF has shed light into various aspects of coaching from the coach's point of view, as well as the client's. Members benefit from ICF's research efforts by receiving free special reports and discounts on final reports from studies.

Leadership: ICF members have the ability to develop their leadership skills through various positions on global Committees, taskforces, as SIG hosts or chapter leaders, and on the global Board of Directors.

Discounts: Members receive discounts on a number of items, including ICF Credentialing applications, research, and conference registration. Additionally, members may take advantage of special pricing on various products and services through the ICF Resource Partner Program.

Ready to be a part of the ICF? Join today.