Heather Fougnier,
Life and Business Coach tells:

"Why I became a coach and why I chose International Coach Academy"

Q: What motivated you to become a coach?

After reading “Work Less, Make More,” by executive coach Jennifer White, I was intrigued by how I could get better results with less effort. I hired my own executive coach and had amazing results. With a background in performance improvement, I felt that adding coaching skills would allow me to create results at the speed of change in my own organization – and it did!

Q: What was your previous profession?

I was an executive in a large financial services organization with responsibilities that ranged from global product strategy to sales and mergers & acquisitions. In essence, I was known as the person who could “get things done” and found myself in demand in areas outside my job role. What began to be a recipe for burnout was overhauled into working smarter and having a great life – once I discovered coaching.

Q: Why did you choose ICA?

I chose ICA for its global focus, ICF accreditation and most importantly, because there was not “one prescribed approach” of coaching. From performance improvement consulting, I knew the importance of finding the root cause of a problem before implementing a solution. This way you avoid mistakenly treating everything the same way -- if your only tool is a hammer, every problem you find looks like a nail.

Q: Once enrolled what was your overall impression of ICA?

I loved ICA and am grateful to be a part of the community. The programs are high quality, the trainers are excellent and the students are enthusiastic & supportive. It’s an amazing, energizing place to be.

Q: What is the most valuable thing you got from the program?

The most valuable thing I got was confidence that my clients will get results from my coaching. Obviously, this meant I learned great skills and had a chance to practice them while getting constructive, supportive feedback along the way. I can’t leave out that I also started my business while finishing ICA –everything from creating a business plan, setting up my website, defining products & services and gaining paying clients.

Q: What is the one thing you would say sets ICA apart from other training schools?

ICA has it all – it was everything that I already mentioned, plus it had a price that couldn’t be beat for the value. Even though I wasn’t completely sure when I started that I’d be a professional coach, it was a combination that made the risk worth taking.

Q: What do you like most about your life/job now?

I love seeing my clients make breakthroughs in their business & personal lives – this stuff really works and I get to see it every day! I also love being able to work from anywhere – I can have my dream life in the Caribbean and still do meaningful, rewarding work. In fact, I created a blog (http://Live.YourCaribbeanDream.com) so that others can take a peek at what it’s like to leave the “rat race” to live & work in paradise!

Q: What would you say to others contemplating becoming a life or business coach?

Before I joined the coaching industry, I had never seen a profession with people who, as a whole, love what they do. Coaching skills can enhance whatever you do -- and you’ll get much more out of ICA than great skills. You will learn to “walk your talk,” which means you’ll start to notice you are living a better life -- that alone is worth the price of admission!

Would you Make a Great Coach? Do you want a job with freedom and flexibility? Contact us for a FREE Coaching Career Consultation

Why Choose ICA for Coach Training?

What is it that makes ICA the training provider of choice for an increasing number of professionals around the world?

One of the things that makes us unique at ICA is the way we integrate theory and practice. We believe very strongly that the road to success for would-be coaches involves an
ongoing combination of learning and doing. There are 3 key ways we do this in our curriculum:

1.) We deliver our programs flexibly and over a substantial period of time.
We don't think you can really absorb all the skills and knowledge it takes to be a great coach in a weekend intensive - or even two weekends for that matter.

2.) We give you a coach right away
We believe that when you first come to coaching, it is best understood by experiencing it. Once you have a personal experience of what it means to be coached, you will learn the theory at an accelerated rate.

3.) We get you coaching in the first 3 months of your program.
Once again we feel it is essential that you begin coaching as soon as possible. This builds your confidence and it also allows you to trial the skills you are learning.

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