In this short cohort discussion, three participants share their experiences and reflections on The Academies’ Leadership Coach Training. Speaker A highlights the value of deepening coaching skills beyond the typical "leader as coach" model, noting the impact of neuroscience concepts such as the red‑zone and blue‑zone on her leadership practice. Speaker B recounts his transition from a 13‑year sales career to coaching after completing the CCMC program, emphasizing how the current training elevated his ability to coach organizations and shifted his mindset back to helping others become better versions of themselves. Speaker C describes an initially reluctant enrollment driven by a business partner’s demand for ICF certification, but discovers unexpected enjoyment, valuable networking, and a renewed appreciation for the credential. Across the conversation, the cohort’s supportive community and shared enthusiasm are repeatedly praised, underscoring the program’s role in fostering personal growth, professional credibility, and a deeper, neuroscience‑informed coaching approach.
Chapters
Some of my exposure to coaching in the past has very much been in this whole realm of the, the leader as coach or the manager as coach. So there's definitely value in my experience of making leaders better at coaching in general. But again, I must admit my exposure hasn't been to this depth. So I think this is really powerful stuff that we're getting here. But even getting into the neuroscience of of understanding red zone, blue zone, I can see how powerful that is for me as a leader.
When I think about where I started coaching 2 years ago after the CCMC program, you know, I was really structured, very focused. It was like this salesperson from 13 years was really having a hard time transitioning to coach mode. And so I've been doing a great job. I mean, I have these great reviews and all this, but I think the greatest value I feel like this program has brought me to a whole different level. And it's perfect because of the transition I want to make into the leadership space, into coaching for organizations. Is that who? Like coaching the who and not the ghost in the room. And whether it's people or problems, they want you to fix it and not just like focusing on who they are and what they have control over.
So I love that. I came into this only because one of the business partners that I was working with was just like, oh, we really want someone ICF certified. We really want this and we really want that. And I was just like, I don't need to be ICF I know everything ICF is going to tell me, da da da da da, you know, the brain that you have when you're just like, I don't need it. And I decided to make this investment and it has been so much fun. I didn't think I was going to enjoy it. I'm just being honest. Like, I was reluctantly coming into this and I've had fun. I have met some really awesome people whom I know I will continue to talk to after this course.
This program has reminded me why I got in coaching to begin with, and that is to help other people become better versions of themselves, you know, whether it's their career goals or otherwise. And I'm proud of that shift in my mindset, and back to where I started.
It's been, it's been great. The cohort is great, honestly. Much, much love, much love. Like, when, when I hear people sharing, especially today, unbelievable. Unbelievable.
