{"id":7445,"date":"2024-05-20T09:58:54","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T09:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coachingoutsidethebox.net\/staging\/?p=7445"},"modified":"2025-01-16T15:47:47","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T15:47:47","slug":"mentor-coaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coachingoutsidethebox.net\/staging\/mentor-coaching\/","title":{"rendered":"ICF Mentor Coaching: Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What is mentor coaching and why is it necessary to achieve your ICF certification?<\/h2>

By Lucia Baldelli<\/p>

As a coach myself, I have experienced mentor coaching when I was working on my ICF credential. I could not have imagined the power of partnering with someone fully focused on my growth. Mentor coaching is not just a step towards achieving a credential; it’s an incredible experience that sharpens your coaching skills and your understanding of coaching.<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What is mentor coaching?<\/h2>

Mentor coaching<\/strong> is a cornerstone of professional development in the coaching industry, and a requirement<\/strong> for those seeking an ICF certification.<\/p>

The ICF defines mentor coaching<\/a> as:<\/p>

“coaching and feedback in a collaborative dialogue, based on an observed or recorded coaching session, which aims to enhance the Coach’s skills in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies”.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

Mentor coaching with an ICF credentialed coach<\/strong> is thus a mandatory requirement<\/strong> in the ICF credentialing process.<\/p>

But it is not just that.<\/strong><\/p>

I like to think of a Mentor Coach as a ‘Sensei<\/strong>‘, Japanese term to describe “he or she who has gone before me”. That\u2019s because my Mentor Coaches have been guides who had already walked the path I was on<\/strong> and helped me navigate it with wisdom and insight. A Sensei is neither better than us nor superior, just a few years ahead in our journey<\/strong>. A Sensei can see mistakes we might not even appreciate. A Sensei was the only way for me to grow when techniques and tools could not elevate my coaching any further.<\/span><\/p>

Whether you’re working with individuals, teams, or organisations, a Mentor Coach is not just there to help you tick off a requirement, but to enhance your coaching practice and amplify your impact<\/strong>.<\/p>

At Coaching Outside the Box, we view mentor coaching as a vital partnership,<\/strong> where an aspiring Coach dedicates themself to growth, supported by a Mentor Coach who is fully invested in their success.<\/p>

While practice, study, and training are important for a coach’s development, they can\u2019t take you too far. Partnering with a Mentor Coach is essential to elevate your skills<\/strong> to the next level. Whether you’re aiming for an ICF credential<\/a> <\/strong>or simply looking to refine your craft<\/strong>, mentor coaching unlocks your potential, enhances your expertise, and boosts your confidence.<\/p>

In this article, I hope to shed some light on what mentor coaching is, including its purpose, and some tips to choose the best Mentor Coach to meet the ICF mentor coaching requirements towards your ICF credential<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Coaching Dojo\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tReceive receive feedback from an ICF MCC certified mentor coach, earn up to 25 CCEs, build your coaching hours, and connect with our thriving community of coaches.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJoin for FREE\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What is ICF mentor coaching?<\/h2>

If you’re on the path to become a certified coach, you will already know that ICF mentor coaching<\/strong> is an integral part of the journey towards earning an ICF credential<\/a>, designed to improve a Coach’s abilities in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies<\/a>, Code of Ethics<\/a> and PCC markers<\/a>.<\/p>

But what it is, really?<\/strong><\/p>

Mentor coaching for an ICF Credential involves a collaborative and supportive process where your mentor coach provides you with coaching and feedback<\/strong>\u00a0based on an observed or recorded session<\/strong>. This dialogue-driven approach helps enhance your skills while aligning with the ICF Core Competencies<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

ICF Mentor Coaching consists of a structured program of both group<\/strong> and individual<\/strong> mentorship<\/strong>, with at least 10 contact hours<\/strong> (a minimum of 3 hours being individual sessions). This ensures sharp focus on your coaching and personalised feedback to support your growth.<\/p>

According to the ICF requirements<\/strong>, these sessions must take place in a time frame of at least 3 months<\/strong> to ensure that the Coach has time to digest the learning and feedback from each session to improve their practice.<\/p>

While obtaining these ICF mentor coaching hours is a critical requirement for certification, the benefits<\/strong> of this process go far beyond credentialing<\/strong>: let’s see how.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Purpose and benefits of mentor coaching<\/h2>

Mentor coaching is a solid framework designed to elevate your coaching practice to its highest potential. <\/strong>A mentor coach offers professional support to help you develop and showcase the coaching skills and expertise<\/strong> required for your target credential level.<\/p>

It’s like having a trusted partner who also happens to be a pro at whatever skill you are trying to develop: seriously, it’s a game-changer<\/strong>!<\/p>

And here’s why:<\/p>