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Why should I join ICF Global?
ICF Members receive a multitude of benefits, starting with access to educational research, networking opportunities, and globally recognized credentialing and accreditation services. All of ICF’s endeavors are focused on coaching — from informing the public on how coaching works to conducting industry research. ICF builds, supports, and preserves the integrity of the coaching profession through standards and programs. Membership is not only an investment into a coach’s future, but also an investment into the future of coaching.
Why should I join ICF South Florida?
ICF South Florida Charter Chapter is the leading association of professional coaches in South Florida representing business, life, executive, corporate and specialty coaches.

Our purpose is to build, support and preserve the integrity of the coaching profession within the South Florida area. Our mission is to be the South Florida forum for the art and science of coaching, where we advocate excellence and expand awareness of the contribution coaching makes to our community and its businesses. 

We represent a variety of coaching specialties and schools. The number of coaching specialties represented are as diverse as the South Florida community that we serve. Our members range from established professionals to novice coaches just building their practices. 
Why should I be credentialed with one of the ICF Credential levels? Would that attract more clients?
For over a decade, the International Coach Federation has been leading the development of professional coaching. More than 17,000 coaches have participated in one of ICF’s three credentials, gaining coaching expertise and professional fulfillment. With an ICF Credential, coaches demonstrate not only knowledge and skill, but also a commitment to high professional standards and a strong code of ethics.
How is coaching distinct from other service professions?
Professional coaching focuses on setting goals, creating outcomes and managing personal change. Sometimes it’s helpful to understand coaching by distinguishing it from other personal or organizational support professions.

Therapy: Therapy deals with healing pain, dysfunction and conflict within an individual or in relationships. The focus is often on resolving difficulties arising from the past that hamper an individual's emotional functioning in the present, improving overall psychological functioning, and dealing with the present in more emotionally healthy ways. Coaching, on the other hand, supports personal and professional growth based on self-initiated change in pursuit of specific actionable outcomes. These outcomes are linked to personal or professional success. Coaching is future focused. While positive feelings/emotions may be a natural outcome of coaching, the primary focus is on creating actionable strategies for achieving specific goals in one's work or personal life. The emphasis in a coaching relationship is on action, accountability and follow through.

Consulting: Individuals or organizations retain consultants for their expertise. While consulting approaches vary widely, the assumption is the consultant will diagnose problems and prescribe and, sometimes, implement solutions. With coaching, the assumption is that individuals or teams are capable of generating their own solutions, with the coach supplying supportive, discovery-based approaches and frameworks.
Mentoring: A mentor is an expert who provides wisdom and guidance based on his or her own experience. Mentoring may include advising, counseling and coaching. The coaching process does not include advising or counseling, and focuses instead on individuals or groups setting and reaching their own objectives.

Training: Training programs are based on objectives set out by the trainer or instructor. Though objectives are clarified in the coaching process, they are set by the individual or team being coached, with guidance provided by the coach. Training also assumes a linear learning path that coincides with an established curriculum. Coaching is less linear without a set curriculum.

Athletic Development: Though sports metaphors are often used, professional coaching is different from sports coaching. The athletic coach is often seen as an expert who guides and directs the behavior of individuals or teams based on his or her greater experience and knowledge. Professional coaches possess these qualities, but their experience and knowledge of the individual or team determines the direction. Additionally, professional coaching, unlike athletic development, does not focus on behaviors that are being executed poorly or incorrectly. Instead, the focus is on identifying opportunity for development based on individual strengths and capabilities.

What is the difference between Accrediting and Credentialing?
At ICF, coaching training programs are Accredited while individuals are Credentialed. ICF’s Accreditation service for Coach training schools defines curriculum standards to ensure consistency in coach training programs and consistency among coaching professionals. ICF Credentials are awarded to professional coaches who have met stringent education and experience requirements, and have demonstrated mastery of the coaching competencies.
Why should I hire a Coach?
Professional coaching brings many wonderful benefits: fresh perspectives on personal challenges, enhanced decision-making skills, greater interpersonal effectiveness, and increased confidence. And, the list does not end there. Those who undertake coaching also can expect appreciable improvement in productivity, satisfaction with life and work, and the attainment of relevant goals.

Is there proof that coaching works?
Yes! Please review the materials available in the ICF Research Portal as well as press releases on various research that the ICF has conducted in order to demonstrate return on investment.
Who started the ICF and why?
The late Thomas Leonard founded the ICF for the purpose of creating a community for professional coaches. While members were primarily located throughout North America at first, today members can be found around the globe in over 100 countries.
What types of coaches join the ICF?
ICF members specialize in a variety of coaching areas, including Executive Coaching, Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Relationship Coaching, Career Coaching, and more.
How does ICF define 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.
Who is in charge of the ICF?
The ICF is a nonprofit membership organization. A global Board of Directors is elected by credentialed members to oversee the organization's affairs and paid staff members follow the leadership's direction and carry out day-to-day work.