Mentor Coaching Practitioner

Mentor Coaching is a key part of professional coach accreditation, essential for developing core coaching competencies in leader coaches and coach practitioners. To be effective, the Mentor Coach must have the awareness, knowledge, and skills to create a safe, productive learning environment and possess a range of individual and group coaching techniques to support and accelerate the growth of coaches.

Mentor Coaching Practitioner is an immersive 12-week course that delves into the complexities of the coach practitioner's identity and the adaptive processes they undergo. The journey begins by exploring the context of both the coach and the mentor coach, establishing a solid foundation for the learning process. From here, you will deepen your understanding of the ICF Core Competencies, gaining the ability to identify PCC-Markers in action. You will learn to craft personalized feedback and appraisals while also working with the spontaneous, informal learning moments that support the holistic development of a coach practitioner. As you progress, you'll expand your skillset to facilitate group mentor coaching, ways to complement coaching supervision, and address inclusion and accessibility within complex systems.

This course offers a collaborative learning environment where the "being" and "doing" of mentor coaching are emphasized, providing you with the tools and confidence to guide the next generation of coaches in their professional journey.

By the end of the course, you'll be able to:

• define the personal qualities and responsibilities of an effective Mentor Coach, and distinguish between Mentor Coaching, Coaching, and Coaching Supervision
• recognize and manage biases to co-create inclusive partnerships, considering identity, accessibility, trauma-informed care, and neurodiversity
• listen for ICF PCC marker application in coaching
• facilitate discussions on strengths and development areas using live or recorded coaching samples, focused on ICF Core Competencies
• provide specific, observation-based narrative-style feedback to enhance Mentees' coaching competencies
• engage in individual and group Mentor Coaching, using coaching models and structures while embracing emergent work

Who is the course for?

This course is for ICF ACC* or PCC-credentialed coaches looking to develop themselves and expand their skill set as a Mentor Coach; expanding their client work to include mentoring new and established coaches pursuing a new or renewed ICF Credentials.

(* completed at least one credential renewal process)

Course Outline

There are twelve weeks of course engagement. Throughout each week, you will participate in multiple learning methods to support practical application and skill development. Each week you will:

• Review content, articles, and videos in preparation for the live sessions
• Complete assignments as required, share learning reflections, and engage in peer conversations online
• Attend a live group session through Zoom to learn new skills and connect with other learners and instructors in real time
• Work with a ‘client’ of your choosing, practicing and developing skills learned.

Pre-Work

This orientation module is designed to help you get to know the course activities, reflect on the importance of ongoing learning, and set some clear goals for your development. By the end, you’ll be able to navigate Canvas with confidence, understand the program structure, and get a sense of the Mentor Coach role. You’ll also reflect on your past experience, identify areas you’d like to grow in, and plan how to make the most of your time in the course.

Module 1: Being of a Mentor Coach

In Module 1, you’ll reflect on how your background, values, and biases influence your mentoring approach, and develop strategies for effectively partnering with diverse Mentees. You’ll learn how to manage the power dynamics in the mentor-coaching relationship, create a plan for your own development, and clarify your personal philosophy and approach as a Mentor Coach.

Module 2: Formulate Tailored Appraisals

In Module 2, our focus is on how to use the observation form to identify strengths and areas for growth, provide evidence-based feedback aligned with ICF Core Competencies, and recognize patterns between competencies that support a Mentee's development. You'll also learn how to deliver specific, constructive feedback and develop strategies to manage and reduce bias when evaluating a Mentee’s coaching performance.

Module 3: Holistic Developmental Expansion

In Module 3, our focus is on how to give feedback that builds a strong, collaborative partnership with your Mentee. You'll explore how to lead feedback conversations that focus on both strengths and areas for growth, using a mix of competency-focused and adaptive approaches to best support their development and unique learning needs.

Module 4: Work with What's Emerging

In Module 4, our focus is on becoming more aware of assumptions and biases, both yours and the Mentee’s, that might be influencing the conversation in the moment. With this awareness, you’ll practice working creatively and fluently creating the opportunity for mentees to weave new learning, insights, actions in to their practice.

Module 5: Group Mentor Coaching

In Module 5, our focus is on exploring effective planning and facilitation strategies and attention to dynamics that promote collective learning and individual skill development in a group coaching context. You'll learn and practice managing inclusive sessions, and fostering self-reflection in mentees to support their growth.

Module 6: Capstone & Expansion

In Module 6, our focus is on collective learning from each of our practical work with clients and an articulation exercise paving the way for what’s next. In addition, we’ll look beyond Mentor Coaching toward understanding how to complement the work of Coaching Supervision and deep equity practices.

How am I assessed?

Your instructors assess your engagement and contributions throughout the program and practicum with a focus on:

• Participation and engagement in module calls and activities
• Self-reflection with regards to "personal traits" of a MC, habits of self-inquiry and developing a personal MC philosophy, and emerging mentor coach competencies and skills
• Scenario-based multiple choice questions with response-specific feedback related to the duties and competency of a Mentor Coach
• Practicum and Capstone - application of competencies in client work

The program elements are graded Complete/Incomplete. Upon completion of all course elements, you receive a Letter of Completion including 40 International Coaching Federation CCE units upon successful completion of the course.

Expected effort

To be successful in this course, we recommend planning for a minimum of four hours of work per week for twelve weeks. This includes participating in live weekly 2-hour sessions, accessing resources and readings, contributing to online discussions, connecting with your cohort colleagues and client work.

Technology requirements

To take this course, you'll need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet under five years old using Windows or macOS with access to a video camera and microphone
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release) a reliable internet connection.

Course format

This 40-hour, 40 CCEU course is 100% online and instructor supported with real-time classes. Live weekly online 2-hour sessions are TBD, and are recorded. All program material, calls and submissions are in English and are conducted in alignment with the ICF Code of Ethics.

Join these weekly live sessions with your instructors by video conferencing to actively engage in shared learning experiences, and connect with fellow cohort members for discussion, experiential learning, and practice. Please note attendance for these sessions is mandatory.

You also take part in learning partners and triads to practice new skills and work with in-the moment feedback. Share reflections and engage in learning conversations with your cohort through posts and ongoing conversations in a private online forum. Outside of the live classes, access pre-recorded resources and skill demonstrations. Read articles and book excerpts provided, and complete assignments to deepen learning. Gain access to resources and practical tools to support the implementation of new interventions with clients.

Textbook

This course requires the purchase of the following two textbooks:

Norman, C. (2020). Mentor Coaching: A Practical Guide. Open University Press.

Powers, J. (2023).  The Powerhouse Guide to ACC, PCC and MCC Coaching: Master the subtle nuances of ICF coaching and become one of the best coaches in the world. Powerhouse Global. Orlando, Florida.