Coaching as a profession – are you ‘in’ or ‘out’? In David Gray’s recent paper, “Journeys towards the professionalisation of coaching: dilemmas, dialogues and decisions along the global pathway” (Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, Vol 4. No. 1, March 2011, 4-19), he referred to Grant and Cavanagh’s argument that “creating a profession means making decisions about who will be ‘in’ and who will be ‘out’. In the light of this, it would be wise to stay abreast of the ever increasing push towards professionalizing coaching, so that you don’t get left ‘out’.
COACHING RESEARCH:
Of particular interest in this research paper is the review of the literature relating to occupations that have been designated ‘professions’ and what criteria this shift was defined by. It identifies “three criteria for an occupation to claim professional status: (i) it requires extensive training; (ii) it is based upon an intellectual skill; and (iii) its services are important” (p.5). Another hallmark of a profession is that there is autonomy in self-regulation in that it has set up and enforced standards of training regulations, professional development and ethical practice.
So what’s the current professional coaching status?
- A profession relies on a knowledge base that is drawn from scientific research which is unique to the profession and a professional possesses such knowledge. Right now, coaching is cross-disciplinary and is still working to develop an integrated body of empirically tested knowledge.
- A profession relies on extensive specialised training programmes in institutions of higher education and that, once qualified, professionals continue learning through professional development. Right now, although there are coaching courses in higher education, there is still great diversity in coach training and qualifications and unified guidelines still need to be designed and developed.
- Professions close to coaching (such as counseling and psychotherapy) require specialised training to include supervision during the initial training period and for continuing professional development. Right now, “supervision is recommended by some of the coaching associations” (p.10) and “88 percent of coaches believe that they should have continuous and regular supervision” (p.10-11).
- A profession also includes independence and autonomy, a service relationship, a professional commitment and enforcement of ethical codes. Right now, coaching has some self-regulation (e.g. ICF) and is service oriented. However, because coaching is often a ‘sideline’ to something else, it could lack the professional commitment of a true profession. In addition, each association still has different ethical codes and a unified code is still needed.
IN PRACTICE:
Like it or not, coaching is journeying towards being recognised as a profession and whether it is successful in its attempts or not, depends on us coaches.
So where’s the practice in this?
It would be wise to work out where you currently sit on the ‘occupation versus profession continuum’ and also to decide where you want to sit. Consider your knowledge base, the extent of your training, whether you engage in supervision, your professional commitment and how much motivation you have to improve on these areas. Once you’re clear where you sit on the continuum and where you want to sit, I think it could pay to pick a team and start barracking for them or lending a hand to their/your cause!
I’ve opened up a discussion on our ReciproCoach LinkedIn discussion group where you can voice your opinion about coaching’s journey towards a profession.
Making coaching research coaching practice,
Kerryn
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