If you want to train to be a professional coach I recommend joining a training programme that is accredited by a coaching body. This will give you assurance that the programme meets an appropriate standard and will make it easier to apply for accreditation because it will meet their training requirements.
The Neuroleadership Foundation
This is where I did my training. Their focus is on helping coaches understand the neuroscience behind how the brain works in an accessible way. They are accredited by the International Coaches Federation.
Barefoot Coaching
Set up by Kim Morgan who is very well respected coach in the UK, the programme is accredited through the International Coaches Federation. I considered this programme but ended up doing a Masters in Organisational behaviour instead because trying to choose a coaching training organisation was hard.
Ride the Wave
Full disclosure, I do associate work for Sonya Shallard the co-founder of this programme. They are accredited by the Assocaition of Coaching and if you want to get a taste of what it would be like on their course then signup to join one of the seaonal refresh sessions. You might see me there too.
Henley Business School, Hult or Oxford Brooks
Alternatively you could go down the academic route with these universities who are also accredited with coaching bodies. Hult and Oxford Brooks are accredited by the EMCC and Henley is accredited by the ICF, AC and EMCC. I either know people who teach/taught on these programes or have been through them.
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay-Stanier
This book outlines the seven questions you need to coach your team. It’s a quick read, full of stories, a sprinkling of research and it’s a great companion book for Think Like A Coach. Bungay-Stanier also has lots of free content to support the book online.
Effective Modern Coaching: The Principles and Art of Successful Business Coaching by Miles Downey
Downey shows managers how to coach their teams using the world famous GROW model. What I love about this book are the example conversations you cna learn from.
Listen: How to Find the Words for Tender Conversations by Kathryn Mannix
A beautiful, wise book about finding the right words for life’s tender and tricky conversations. It will help you understand what deep listening looks like and how to master it.
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee Adams
The questions you ask shape your thinking, relationships and results. This book will help you create questions that will put yourself and your team on the path to positive solutions.
To help you coach yourself
To calm your nerves in stressful situations
Despite the controversy over Amy Cuddy‘s work I still think her TED talk is worth a watch. It shows you how to be more confident and manage your nerves through holding high power poses. I write about the fact and fiction here.
Year Compass
A free annual workbook to help you review the year that’s been and plan the year ahead. I like the process it takes you through to notice the patterns that serve you and you want to do more with and the ones you want to leave behind. It is also in many languages.
The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Program to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness by Professor Steve Peters
I love this book becuase it helped me to understand how my mind works and provides practical tips for emptional regulation and management. The ideas also resonate with my clients and I think it’s one everyone shold read at least once.
How to inspire action
If you want your audience to sit up and take notice, then take it from Simon Sinek, start with why. His TED talk How great leaders inspire action is an 18 minute masterclass in how to structure your presentation so that you connect with your audience. To paraphrase him: “People don’t connect with what you do they connect with why you do it.”