International Association of Coaching Blog

Our Baby was Born! – Announcing the first Chinese book demonstrating the spirit of the IAC Coaching Masteries®

The first Chinese book composed with the spirit of IAC Coaching Masteries^® was born last month!

Led by Coach Bonnie Chan (IAC- CC), the IAC Hong Kong Chapter meets monthly to share and exchange ideas about the applications of coaching in life and work. With fresh fruit juice or coffee and pieces of sweet cakes, everyone feels thrilled and energised upon leaving. In our gathering in October 2009, the idea of writing a coaching book was initiated in this atmosphere.

The book was a co-creation by seven coaches in Hong Kong who have different specialties. Each of the nine chapters in the book is a personal story of one coach, showing his or her path of learning and experiencing coaching, as it manifests the spirit of one particular IAC Coaching Mastery. The authentic sharing is a lively demonstration of how the Masteries are applied in our lives, with the hope that the reader will resonate with the reading.. Each chapter also includes some suggested questions about that Mastery and somes examples of real life learning to support the reader's digestion and application.

Through the process of writing this book together, we experienced a strong trust, openness, respect, acceptance, appreciation and support within our team, which in itself demonstrates the strong power of coaching. During one stimulating process of brainstorming, we created this poem:

Life is like an onion,
As we peel we weep
The more we peel the more our true beauty reveals,
Like flowers in full blossom celebrating each and every word of good news.

We found that the process of peeling an onion resembles that of coaching, as the coachee discovers and reveals more and more about his or her life, and by the end experiences healthy benefits for their development.

The book launch party was held in May with great success. Guests had a very special time sharing the joy of the birth of the book, as well as learning more about the Masteries through funny interactive games. What was most inspiring was that the participants sensed the positive energy and creative spirit of the coaches, which prompted them to want to understand more about coaching. It is so exciting to hear that our readers feel motivated and energised after reading a few chapters, as they shared in the forum: www.facebook.com/OnionCoach.

According to Bob Tschannen-Moran, the President of IAC, “The book is a treasure both for professional coaches seeking to improve our practice and for anyone who is seeking to unleash and actualize their own potential in life and work.”

We had a common goal in writing this book: the hope that our authentic stories would call for more people to join our journey and actualize our dreams of “one person, one coach.” We do hope that the book will be translated into many languages and widely read.

We would also like to take this chance to express our gratitude to IAC President Bob Tschannen-Moran and Past-President Angela Spaxman, who supported us by writing the preface of the book.

 

 

Karen Au is a Consultant in Corporate Training and a Personal Development Coach, dedicated to supporting people to excel and thrive in their personal and professional lives. One of her lifelong missions is to build the culture of collaboration and appreciation in every organization. You may contact her at karen@apexinstitute.com.

 

 

 

   

2011 CCDA International Coaching Forum – 19th March 2011

by Karen Lim

This is an exciting moment in Asia and Greater China, as we announce The 2011 CCDA International Coaching Forum at Kaohsiung, Taiwan on 19^th March 2011.

Coaching has developed rapidly in Asia and Greater China, providing support for personal development, work-life balance and growth!

Transformation is a hot topic in organizations, society, communities and schools. These conversations are carriers that bring us into a state of reflection and a readiness for the feedback to help us change and gain a new life.

The highlighted speakers will present their proven insight and coaching approaches to inspire us to enhance our knowledge and practical experience.

Bob Tschannen-Moran, 2010-2011 President of the International Association of Coaching (IAC) and a popular author of the books Evocative Coaching: Transforming Schools One Conversation at a Time and Coaching Psychology Manual, will share his approach and research insight of Bringing Coaching to Schools. He will present along with his wife and co-author, Dr. Megan Tschannen-Moran, a professor of Educational Leadership at the College of William & Mary.

Angela Spaxman, Past-President of the International Association of Coaching (IAC), will share aspects of How to Use Coaching in Organizations – An Ongoing Conversation. Angela will share her knowledge and experience of working with organizations, providing tips to help both managers and employees.

In Organization Coaching: The Theory and Practices, Dr. Henry Chen, Associate Professor of KunShan University will explore how to internalize a theory into daily practice and transform why to how.

We will also hear: Become a Professional Coach, by Bonnie Chan, Honorary Advisor of Hong Kong International Coaching community, The Learning and Coaching Experiences of an Executive Coach, by Chrisse Teng, ICF-certified coach and Powerful Coaching, Successful Parents, presented by Lee Wai Lan, Vice-President of Hong Kong International.

A panel discussion session will present a full picture of coaches and coaching mastery, with success stories from corporate executives, education experts, family experts and coaches.

The 2011 CCDA International Coaching Forum at Kaohsiung, Taiwan is for professional coaches, corporate executives, HR and training professionals and coaching leaders in Asia to share their knowledge and insight. In this Forum you will:

• Experience the latest coaching developments in Greater China, Asia and around the world
• Gain insights into the movement of corporate coaching in Asia and Greater China
• Learn about the coaching needs of society, organizations and individuals
• Meet and network with both new and seasoned coaches from Asia and around the world
• Engage in advanced international coaching approach and concept

As Moderator and facilitator of the panel discussion, I look forward to meeting all of you and learning more from you. I am excited about this upcoming forum in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

See you at the Forum to expand the path to coaching mastery!

 

Karen Lim is an Executive Consultant, Coach and Facilitator, and is the China representative of the International Association of Facilitators. She is also an IAC Board Member. Through her company, Leadership Inc., she is committed to facilitating organizational change in Greater China. http://www.leadershipinc.com.cn

Singapore Chapter News: Putting the IAC Coaching Masteries® into Action

The Singapore Chapter of the International Association of Coaching (SCIAC) held a talk on September 4th 2010 at the Furama Riverfront Hotel Singapore. Our keynote speaker, IAC Immediate Past President Ms. Angela Spaxman, was present to share her coaching experience and also to introduce the IAC. The topic was "Putting the IAC Coaching Masteries^® into Action," and included a question and answer session that garnered insightful discussions. It was a fruitful session with good feedback from attendees—such as HR and business managers from Multi National Corporations (MNCs) and experienced business coaches seeking to gain a clearer understanding of the Masteries^®. The discussion touched on how organisations can drive a coaching culture through the use of the IAC Coaching Masteries^®.

Some key discussion areas were:

• Driving a coaching culture within the organisation
  This is unique to each organisation and there are many different strategies. In general, it is suggested that organisations identify and groom a small group of managers who are committed to coaching, and take them through the coaching process as a first step to garner support. This is important because in our enthusiasm to roll out coaching initiatives, we can try to move too quickly. If coaches are in "telling" mode, it can devalue the coaching practice. Coaching then becomes merely a buzzword and its value to the organisation is lost.
    
• The use of a coaching process
  Everyone has to start somewhere, and coaching processes provide consistency until a coaching style is developed. What matters is the result, and a focus on making the change happen for the client. The Masteries^® focuses on the coaching conversation, which is independent of the coaching processes used by the coach.

SCIAC News

Aims for promoting the IAC Coaching Masteries^® in Singapore
Since our launch in 2009, the SCIAC has sought to drive corporate adoption of the IAC Coaching Masteries^® as the benchmark for best practice coaching and also to drive a coaching culture throughout organisations. We have a firm belief that coaching is important for self-development and growth amongst corporate executives. We have had success stories with MNCs and large local organisations. Organisations that have embraced the IAC Masteries^® have had their managers trained in IAC’s Coaching Masteries^® and in addition, some of their staff have even opted to undertake the IAC certification.

We will continue to strive for coaching best practices and to drive a coaching culture throughout organisations in Singapore in order to promote the IAC Coaching Masteries^® in Singapore.

 

Jin Lee is the Managing Director of SMG Training Systems. She has been working with numerous Multi-National Corporations and local companies across the Asia Pacific regions—coaching, training and consulting their leaders through key transformational and change initiatives. She was one of the Woman Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2001.

IAC Chapter News—1st International IAC Coaching Conference, Shanghai

 by Susie Li

The 2010 Shanghai Coaching Conference, "The Centre of Coaching in China: Advancing to International Excellence," was a great success. Hosted by the IAC Shanghai Chapter, the event took place on Friday, 19 March 2010 at the Grand Mercure Hotel.

The 101 participants included coaches, executives, educators, trainers and human resource professionals. Most were from Shanghai, in addition to attendees from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia and Japan. Our Keynote Speaker Natalie Tucker Miller flew in from the US especially for this event.

The conference began with a panel discussion, "The Role and Impact of Coaching for Individuals and Corporations in China," facilitated by Angela Spaxman, Past President of IAC (pictured above). Out of the discussion, some insights emerged regarding coaching Chinese people in China. Culturally, coaching is from the US. When putting coaching into the context of Chinese society, it is worthwhile to note a couple of things. First of all, building rapport and trust may take a few sessions before a Chinese client opens up. Further, Chinese people are non-confrontational; they do not open up when challenged.

The group discussed desirable applications for coaching Chinese people in China, including parent coaching to support parents and parents-to be, in addition to coaching for young children to support their development as they grow. With regard to corporate clients in China, they would evaluate a coach in terms of their qualification, their integrity and their passion as a coach.

After the panel discussion, a choice of concurrent sessions was offered, including "The Essentials of a Masterful Coach," "A New Map for a New Age—Corporate Coaching Culture," "Roadmap to Becoming a Professional Coach" and "Successful Executive Coaching Model in Japan."

As an introductory exploration of professional coaching and coaching in China, the 2010 Shanghai Coaching Conference was very well-received. Many participants enjoyed the conference tremendously, finding it a wonderful opportunity for sharing and exchanging. Many were inspired by it, as seen by the birth of various initiatives:

* Experienced coaches from Hong Kong and Taiwan are committed to go for their IAC and ICF certifications.

* Ms. Bonnie Chan, an IAC-Certified Coach, will be going to Shanghai regularly to give small group talks, and to participate in exchanges about coaching and IAC masteries.

* Highly experienced coaches started a dialogue towards organizing a coaching reflection retreat in a nature-connected venue.

* A trainer will explore a practical coaching approach for his clients’ companies.

* A participant has committed to become a parenting coach.

* On April 12, 2010, Mr. Jiang Yu succeeded Bonnie Chan as the new President of the IAC Shanghai Chapter (http://www.certifiedcoach.org/chapters/chapters.html#China) . He invites conference participants to contact him for further conversation about the topics discussed.

* Participants have formed their own interest groups from the conference.

* Ms. Natalie Tucker, IAC Certified Coach and Lead Certifier from the US, expressed that there are more similarities than differences between coaching in the US and Asia. There were also discussions as to how the IAC can support the development of coaching in Asia.

Thanks to the precious time and efforts of many volunteers, in particular from the IAC Shanghai Chapter, for making the Shanghai Coaching Conference a successful event, from which many initiatives begin.

 
 
Susie Li, Career Coach, supports her clients to identify their unique personal qualities and leverage them in a suitable career and organization, so that they thrive in a career they love.

 

International Coaching Conference in Shanghai, China – March 19, 2010

by Susie Li

Passionate about coaching, members of the IAC Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong Chapters have been dedicated to developing the coaching profession in Hong Kong and in China since 2008. To this end, they have taken many initiatives, culminating with the upcoming 2010 Shanghai Coaching Conference in China on Friday, 19 March 2010.

Bonnie Chan, the president of IAC Hong Kong Chapter, initially organized monthly IAC Hong Kong Chapter meetings for the professional development and certification of Chinese coaches in Hong Kong. Inspired by what came out of the monthly meetings, we went on to organize the IAC Annual Dinner in Shenzhen in 2009, attended by 40 coaches, executives and coaching learners. The resounding success of the Shenzhen Annual Dinner created momentum for us to promote coaching even further in Greater China, through the upcoming 2010 Shanghai Coaching Conference.

Shanghai has been chosen to host the upcoming Conference in the Greater China region, as it has been the centre for China in the past. It has been the centre for coaching as well, as many of the pioneer coaches in China are from Shanghai, and many international coaching schools are now offering coaching training courses in Shanghai. Shanghai is becoming an international centre for coaching, and it is important for IAC to include China as a partner in advancing coaching to the highest global standard.

The 2010 Shanghai Coaching Conference is for professional coaches, corporate executives, human resource and training professionals and coaching learners in the region, with workshops organized for each of these groups. Conference participants will:

• Experience the latest development of coaching in Shanghai and in China
• Gain insights in the movement of corporate coaching in Shanghai and in China
• Learn about the needs of clients and new local coaches
• Network with professional coaches from around Asia
• Engage in the highest international standard of coaching

Currently, a number of coaches in Greater China have already passed the step 1 exam for IAC Certification, and there will be more certified Chinese coaches in the near future. Natalie Tucker Miller, IAC Lead Certifier, will fly from the US to Shanghai to be the Keynote Speaker for this high-profile event.

This is a coaching event not to be missed! Register now!

Susie Li, Career Coach, supports her clients to identify their unique personal qualities and leverage them in a suitable career and organization, so that they thrive in a career they love.