Manas K. was an HR leader heading the L&D division in a reputed conglomerate based out of Mumbai. After 18 years in the field, Manas felt his professional peak had leveled. He wished to add more value to his resume and do something more impactful in his area of expertise. 
Are you an HR professional in a similar situation? Then reading further might just about make your day.
Manas spoke to other HR professionals and peers in the field and read up on current and future trends in HR.  Based on his research Manas decided the next best thing to do as an HR professional was to become an ICF coach.

Manas is only one of numerous HR professionals, HR leaders, and OD trainers who have been looking to enhance their portfolios and expand their repertoire by becoming ICF-certified coaches.

Why are Manas and other HR leaders like him increasingly pivoting to ICF coaching certification?

We decided to find out from a few of the HR professionals and HR leaders who were part of our ICF coaching program. These HR professionals and leaders have on average a minimum of 15 years of experience in the industry.

We asked them the following questions –

What inspired you to become an ICF coach despite being proficient in the HR domain? 

How has becoming an ICF coach benefitted you personally and professionally?

Here’s what they had to say.

ICF coaching certification gives credibility.

“I have seen coaching from close quarters long before I became a coach. I saw coaches at work, and transformation taking place. That made me feel that this is a skill every people manager and every HR leader should have.

“ICF is a highly respected brand. Credentials from ICF have great value and respect which have helped me position myself. Also, the inherent competencies that we learned and practiced have helped me elevate my level of conversation.” 

Swaraj Mishra

Enhance leadership skills

I got into ICF coaching to become a more impactful HR leader. The ICF coaching process and certification certainly help one become a more impactful leader by understanding oneself, others, and the professional ecosystem better, from a much wider perspective.”

Debi Prasad Das

Improve EQ

“Coaching is actually part of our HR role, which we haven’t understood yet. HR is not just about creating and implementing policies, but touching people’s lives. I took up the ICF coaching program to explore the possibility of partnering in the development of individuals towards their goals. ICF coaching is certainly a process which will help in this objective.” 

Natarajan B

Excel in HR role

“I have always wanted the HR department to excel in developing partnerships between the higher management and employees by creating a shared understanding. Also, I have felt that employees must feel free to speak to HR. ICF Coaching has helped me in achieving these objectives.

I have been able to create a genuinely motivating climate for performance and support within my business domain and outside. ICF Coaching has enabled me to build self-belief, self-awareness, and empathy among leaders. Non-performers regained confidence and their performance improved through my coaching. 

I empowered employees to visualize their professional development within the organization. This helped maintain employee engagement and reduced attrition. As a result, the management has developed deeper faith and belief in me.”

Saswati Basu  

Work with high-rung leaders and executives

“I took up ICF coaching because I saw it start conversations that impacted people to think and act differently. ICF coaching competency can be a big plus for HR professionals who are working closely with managers and leaders in an organization.”

Professionally, ICF coaching was a huge add-on to my credibility in creating an impact on high-performing leaders and enabling them to make better decisions in their roles. ICF coaching helped me, an HR leader, look at things from different perspectives, which helped me in engaging people with empathy and care.”

As an ICF coach, I am able to engage with leaders in a way that contributes to their growth and the organization’s growth. Impactful combination results in a systemic level change to create a win-win for both the HR leader and the organization.

Ashwini Karumbaiah

Self-development

“ I decided to become an ICF coach because of the increasing necessity to work with senior BU leaders and partner with them in realizing their personal and professional potential. 

The ICF coaching program has made me more self-aware.  My listening skills have developed, especially the quality of listening with an intent to listen. The ICF coaching process has enabled me to be in the present, every moment. In fact,  becoming an ICF coach has helped me maximize my potential.”

A V Sivaram

And that was the lowdown regarding HR professionals and ICF coaching, right from the HR leader’s mouth!

Before they signed off,  we asked our new ICF coaches to leave one message for their peers- other HR professionals, HR leaders, and OD trainers who aspire to be ICF coaches. 

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What advice would you offer to aspiring HR Leaders and professionals regarding ICF Coaching?

This is what they had to say.
Advice to aspiring coaches from HR Professionals

“When we look at ICF coaching as HR professionals, we should see it as a complementary skill – Swaraj Mishra

“ICF coaching is a must-have competency for HR professionals. We as HR professionals can add value and bring the best out of people, especially in this era of disruptions.” – A. V. Sivaram

“Become an ICF coach. It’s a life-changing experience!!!”  – Bijoy Francis

People are the prime movers in an organization. So HR professionals must set aside their own agenda and be fully present with stakeholders to support them. Coaching helps achieve this.  – Saswati Basu

It’s a great feather in your cap as it helps in managing people really well – Payel

Go through coach training as it helps you to develop the ability to reflect and understand yourself better. – Debi Prasad Das.

An HR professional who is also an ICF coach can be a game changer and is well positioned to act as a catalyst in an organization. – Ashwini Karumbaiah

ICF coaching is a necessary skill for self-development and the development  of people working in your  organization – Mitalee

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Few more reasons why HR professionals/HR leaders/OD trainers should go  for ICF coaching

You heard from these HR leaders why they think HR professionals should become ICF coaches.

 We are giving you a few more reasons why ICF coaching competency should definitely become a part of your skill set.

1. Remaining relevant in your profession

According to The State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report by Gallup, catering to the holistic well-being of employees will become an important necessity for businesses in the near future. The onus of this will, naturally, rest upon HR. A holistic welfare approach means  HR professionals must look beyond mere performance and work on employees’ potential. ICF coaching is the best tool for that.

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2. Millennials want to work with coaches, not with bosses!

Another major change HR professionals must prepare for is working with the millennials. This generation of workers does not conform to the command and control model, where implicit obedience is the norm. Telling someone to do something might still work for entry-level employees. But those higher up would perform best if HR professionals acted as accountability partners, a role ICF coaches excel at. To sum it up, millennials do not need trainers, they need coaches who can partner for their growth. HR professionals doubling as coaches can play this role to perfection!

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3. Access to diverse people management tactics

ICF coaching provides HR professionals and OD trainers with diverse ways to manage employees, allowing for a more customized approach based on what is most effective for a particular employee. This will play a major role in the holistic approach to employee welfare. 

The above trends in the global workplace stress overwhelmingly the need for professional ICF coaches, a need HR professionals and OD trainers can capitalize on. 

 That is why coaching is considered the next natural, logical step in the professional growth of HR professionals/HR executives/OD trainers. 

In fact, coaching completes the HR professional/HR executive/OD trainer.

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Why opt for ICF coaching with Regal Unlimited?

Regal Unlimited is one of the leaders in the ICF coaching domain with a focus on quality, authenticity, and accountability. Our robust, rigorous, and reliable coaching process ensures nothing less than the best for our coachees. 

Here’s why opting for Regal Unlimited’s ICF-ACC program would prove to be a winning move for you.

  • You get 2 Master Certified Coaches with  20+ years of collective coaching experience as core facilitators and mentors
  • You get the full benefit of our experience training 300+ coaches in the last 8  years. 
  •  You get the experience and wisdom of Regal alumni, an illustrious tribe of 300+ professionals  who pay it forward by supporting and mentoring aspiring coaches who opt for our ICF coaching program
  • We have a 100% strike rate in ICF credentialing. You can become part of the winning percentage!

Make the winning move! We are sure it will be a game-changer for you! 

Get in touch with us at info@regalunlimited.com to know more about Regal Unlimited’s ICF-ACC program as well as the corporate training program for HR professionals and leaders. 

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