Unravelling the mystery around the ICF Credentialing Exam

You can’t coach everyone! Maintaining the distinction between coaching and other services ‘Coaching’s fine. And I’m not trying to be controversial. But you can’t coach everyone. I reckon most of my team I have to mentor them. And tell them what to do, because they have no idea.’ The comment was in response to a question I asked a group of managers, as part of our discussion about ‘what is coaching, and what is it not?’.  I simply asked: ‘do you have any questions?’  It was obviously more of a statement, than a question. But what is interesting, is that this comment is very common.  When we are coaching managers to move their mindset from ‘telling and directing’ to a coaching mindset, there is going to be resistance. However, as professional workplace coaches, the distinction between coaching and other techniques is extremely important. In fact, it is written into the ICF Core Competency: Demonstrates Ethical Practice. So this week on the Coaching Café Podcast, join Natalie and Paula as we continue our deeper dive into the ICF Core Competency of Demonstrates Ethical Practice and explore why maintaining clear boundaries between coaching and other leadership styles is essential. Most importantly, we will provide a practical framework to help you: ✔️ Distinguish between coaching and other services ✔️ Respond to resistance from managers ✔️ Maintain ethical coaching practices ✔️ Apply the ICF Core Competencies in real-life scenarios  If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.    In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!  You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year. Contact us via our email to do so! Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

Many of us have received the ICF membership renewal email. The process is simple: click the link, accept the terms, select your currency and branch, and pay. If everything runs smoothly, it takes about five minutes—as long as you remember your password and don’t overthink “What do I get for my money?” (That’s a topic for another day! )However, we encourage you NOT to just tick the box on the terms and conditions. Of course, my mum always said, “Never sign something you haven’t read.” But more importantly, when you check that box, you’re agreeing to abide by the ICF Code of Ethics and uphold the Core Values and Ethical Principles.When was the last time you read the Code?This isn’t clickbait—“Breaking news: Coaches refuse to sign the Code of Ethics!” Instead, it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and reaffirm the principles that guide our practice as professional coaches.Therefore, join us this week on the Coaching Café, as Natalie and Paula explore the ICF Code of Ethics and discuss how it shapes ethical coaching practices. Take this opportunity to revisit the Code, reflect on its meaning, and strengthen your commitment to professional coaching. We will explore: Why the ICF Code of Ethics matters How to apply ethical principles in coaching The role of Core Values in professional practice Key takeaways for coaching integrity Don’t just tick the box—explore what it means to be an ethical coach!Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

At Open Door we get a lot of questions about the ICF Credential Exam.  The Exam is an important component of applying for an ICF credential and all candidates for ACC, PCC or MCC are required to pass the Exam. The Exam is a tool to measure a coach’s knowledge of the ICF definition of coaching, ICF Core Competencies and ICF Code of Ethics.According to the ICF, in 2023, 9,795 coaches sat the ICF Credentialling Exam, with 75% passing on their first attempt, 12% passing on the subsequent attempt. The overall pass rate was 87%.Having recently passed the exam on her first attempt, we thought it might be a good opportunity to pick Paula’s brains about how to prepare for the test? What do I need to know? And gather any tips and advice.Join Paula as she unravels the mystery around the ICF Credentialling Exam, offers her key tips and answers any questions***. ***Note we will not reveal any questions or answers, but we can offer ideas to assist you to feel confident.If obtaining your credential is on your goals list for this year, this is a great webinar to tune into.If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Friday.If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.  In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE.  In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year.Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

Welcome to the Coaching Café series for 2025!Not long ago we signed off for the year, with a recap on the trends in coaching that we predicated for 2024.  And now here we are, gazing into our re-usable coffee cups and thinking about the important topics that we are likely to influence our workplaces and coaching this year and beyond.As part of the re-accreditation process we conducted research to ensure that our programs meet the industry needs and the ongoing needs of organisations, leader and coaches for professional development.  This research gave us insights into how coaching continues to evolve alongside the changing nature of work, leadership requirements and technology. And allowed us to update the programs accordingly.Join Natalie and Paula to kick off a new and exciting year of Coaching Cafés; as we discuss the top trends that we predict will be raised during coaching conversations in the workplace and also gather your insights into key trends.Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

As we wrap up 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the coaching trends that have defined this year. At the beginning of the year, we shared our predictions and discussed the themes we expected to emerge in coaching. Now, after a busy year we’re excited to revisit these trends and look at how they’ve played out in real time. Join us for the final Coaching Café of the year! We'll reflect on how coaching has influenced workplaces in 2024, share insights from our work, and discuss emerging themes that may shape coaching in the year to come. Let’s celebrate the progress made and prepare to embrace new opportunities in 2025.Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

As the end of the year approaches, now is the ideal time to reflect, reset, and set meaningful goals. But it’s not just about making resolutions; it’s about creating sustainable plans that align with our values and drive us forward. Join us for this Coaching Café, where we’ll explore effective goal-setting strategies that go beyond typical New Year’s resolutions. Together, we’ll discuss tools for gaining clarity, setting actionable intentions, and building the momentum you need to make real progress in 2025. Let’s start the year with purpose and set ourselves up for success!"Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

With the end of the year approaching momentum and motivation seem harder to maintain. With fatigue setting in, it can be tough to stay focused. But it’s not all doom and gloom. As we approach the final stretch of the year, we can take simple, intentional actions to reignite our energy and keep ourselves—and our teams—moving forward. In this Coaching Café, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to keep the momentum alive, even when things feel tough. Together, we'll discuss how we can motivate ourselves and support others to stay on track as we head into the next quarter, with a strong finish in mind. Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

"Have you ever felt like you’re not getting it ‘perfectly’ right as a coach?" The truth is, no one ever does. Perfection isn’t the goal. Instead, it’s about showing up consistently—being present for your coachees, staying engaged in the process, and continuously growing as a coach. It’s not about having all the answers, but about creating a space where growth happens, even through imperfection. In past Coaching Café sessions, we’ve explored real coaching scenarios, from working with clients under stress to coaching when it feels easier to just give advice. We’ve discussed how to apply ICF competencies, use effective coaching questions, and hold space for our coachees in a way that supports their growth. In this upcoming session, we’ll dive into why consistency in your coaching approach matters more than perfection. We’ll explore how staying present, open, and engaged in every coaching moment helps both you and your clients evolve. Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

‘I’m not sure it’s my role’, was a comment we received recently during a presentation on mental health conversations in the workplace.   We may notice that a work colleague or client is not their normal self. Perhaps their behaviour has changed or the language they are using and their demeanour is different. But the person in the workshop was worried that they didn’t really ‘feel it was their place’ to approach the person. It's not uncommon to wonder whether it’s your job to start a mental health conversation or actually how to do that.  Alternatively, whether you should get others involved, for example HR.  In addition, as a manager or coach, when do you take off your coaching hat, and focus on a mental health conversation? Thursday 10th October marked World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2024 in Australia and the WHO states that World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to ‘raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in the support of mental health.’ And the official theme of WMHD is: It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace Therefore, we thought we’d use the Coaching Café to focus mental health conversations in the workplace. So join Natalie and Paula as they focus on mental health in the workplace and talk about the role we can play, including what to say, what not to say and overcoming barriers to the conversation.Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

Breaking down the barriers to mental health conversations in the workplace Thursday 10th October marks World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2024 in Australia and the WHO states that World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to ‘raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in the support of mental health.’ And the official theme of WMHD is: It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace At Open Door we are obviously super happy to hear this theme; given as an Alumni it is something we have all focussed on for many years. In our Coaching Café we have heard from people with lived experience, talked about a coaching approach and the boundaries between coaching and other support services and trained 100’s of people in mental health conversations.  We have also supported Organisations who advocate and support people in mental health, through our fitness and fundraising efforts like the Push Up Challenge and The Black Dog Institute’s One Step Forward. We can all be proud of these efforts as an Alumni. And, we can continue the work and the advocacy. Therefore, we thought we’d use the Coaching Café for the next couple of weeks to focus mental health conversations in the workplace. In particular, raising awareness around the barriers to mental health conversations.  And importantly, how to overcome the barriers.   Join Natalie and Andrew Figtree (former Group Captain for the Air Force) for the Coaching Café and in particular, Figgy will bring his experience as a Mental Health First Aid practitioner, Air Force coach and veterans affairs advocate, to give us some ideas about how to break down barriers to mental health conversations.Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website. Contact The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!