“Beth Buelow was an excellent mentor coach for me. She is extremely knowledgeable in all things ICF (International Coaching Federation) which is wildly helpful since ICF accreditation can often be tricky. Her approach is straight forward, her questions are exceptional and mind blowing in exactly the way you want your mentor coach to be. I grew in my coaching and as a person through my experience with Beth. I highly recommend her for mentor coaching and continued mastery of your coaching craft.”
Jennifer Wilson, Accredited Professional Coach at Windley Works
Are you ready to renew or apply for your ACC or PCC ICF credential? Are you getting rusty or fuzzy in your coaching? Are you craving support and feedback in order to sharpen your coaching skills? Do you want to learn how to adopt a “coach approach” in your leadership?
Mentor Coaching is your next step!
Aug 2023: I’m taking a sabbatical from private mentor coaching beginning in 2024, and I’m only accepting a limited number of 1:1 clients whose hours can be completed by December 2023.
If you’d like to have a conversation about us working together,
feel free to schedule time for us to chat: calendly.com/bethbuelow/mentor-coaching-info-session
What is Mentor Coaching?
According to the International Coach Federation (ICF):
Mentor Coaching for an ICF Credential consists of coaching and feedback in a collaborative, appreciative and dialogued process based on an observed or recorded coaching session to increase the coach’s capability in coaching, in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies.
Mentoring provides professional assistance in achieving and demonstrating the levels of coaching competency and capability demanded by the desired credential level.
NEW! More mentor coaching questions answered on my
ICF Mentor Coaching FAQ page!
Mentor Coaching Options
Depending on your learning preferences and your goals for the mentor coaching experience, you can opt to be part of an ICF Group Mentoring program or a 1:1 Mentoring program. As noted above, I’m taking a sabbatical from 1:1 and group mentoring during 2024. If you’re interested in 1:1 sessions and can complete your hours before December 20, 2023, feel free to schedule time for us to see if there’s a good fit between us.
1:1 Mentor Coaching sessions via Zoom can be recorded upon request for your reference and review; Group Mentor Coaching sessions will utilize Zoom and, with the full group’s permission, are also recorded for your reference and review. In both formats, any session chat notes made during the session will be saved and provided for you. While ICF does not currently require it, you may request a certificate of completion based on your successful demonstration of the ICF Core Competencies and your completion of 10 hours of Mentor Coaching.
My Philosophy + Experience
This is a co-created process, reliant on open and direct communication about goals, strengths, areas for growth, the balance of theory and practice, process, and progress. You will be encouraged to strive to meet the markers for the next level of credential you’re seeking (PCC for ACC, MCC for PCC) while honoring your particular coaching style.
While attainment of goals established for the Mentor Coaching is important, it’s equally important to create a brave space for learning and experimentation; you will be invited to release any “good student” energy or feelings of needing to perform, instead adopting a “beginner’s mind.” We are focused on progress, not perfection, as well as building self-trust, self-awareness, and a sense of being grounded thoroughly in the ICF Core Competencies.
You can also get a sense of my approach to learning and credentialing in my LinkedIn article, The Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA): Setting Yourself Up for Success.
I am a Certified Mentor Coach, having graduated from the rigorous training program offered through inviteChange in Seattle, WA. I’ve been an ICF credentialed coach since 2009, having received my initial coach training (2008-9) through inviteChange. I completed the Comprehensive ICF PCC Marker Assessor Training in 2023. I’ve been continuously active in ICF on the local and national level. I was a member of ICF Washington State from 2008-2017, and I am a Past-President (2021) of the Board of Directors for ICF Michigan, where I served from 2019-2022. I was a presenter at the ICF Converge Conference in Washington, D.C. in 2017, and have presented on a range of topics to ICF chapters across the country. I look forward to presenting at ICF Converge 2023 in August in Orlando.
I strive to bring a combination of confidence and humility to my work. The most dynamic and productive partnerships involve mutual learning and growth; a Mentor Coaching partnership is no exception.
“I particularly enjoyed Beth’s introvert style and her very thoughtful and careful attention to the words she chose to communicate her ideas. As a fellow introvert it was especially nice to see this style play out in “real time”. I went in with vague goals, but came out with a renewed interest in developing my coaching career and style and much more confidence in my ability to make this happen.”
Patrice Beauvais, ACC
How will I know…?
What goes into making this partnership successful? First is ensuring we’re a good fit. If either of us doesn’t feel there’s an alignment of style, personality or energy, the work won’t yield the results we’re looking for. I’m always happy to refer you to trusted colleagues!
If we decide we’re a fit and we agree to work together, then we’re both making a commitment to being fully engaged and present to the process, setting clear expectations, practicing direct communication, being open to mutual learning, allowing for transparency and vulnerability, and expanding our comfort zones.
If that all sounds good to you, your next step is to decide if you prefer 1:1 Mentor Coaching or a Group Mentor Coaching Program.
Group Mentor Coaching Program
If you’re interested in learning in a collaborative environment and experiencing a range of coaching styles, Group Mentor Coaching might be just what you’re looking for! Group Mentoring cohorts take place on Zoom and are made up of no more than 4 participants. This allows for everyone to fully engage with the material and one another (everyone will have at least one turn as coach, client and observer). The ICF requires 10 hours of live mentor coaching; this program provides you with 7 hours of group mentoring and 3 hours of 1:1 sessions.
1:1 Mentor Coaching Program Overview
If you prefer to have an individual learning experience, then 1:1 Mentor Coaching is made for you. If you’re working towards renewal or application for an ICF credential, you’ll receive 10 60-min Mentor Coaching sessions over a minimum of 3-month period (as required by ICF), plus one 30-min Bonus Completion Session. Don’t need 10 sessions? We can tailor a session package that suits your needs. More details
Note about ICF Credentialing Updates
The International Coaching Federation recently (as of Aug 2, 2022) updated their credentialing requirements and processes. Learn more: coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/elevating-credential-process
The Role of the ICF Mentor Coach
The ICF has outlined the roles and responsibilities for a Mentor Coach. I do my absolute best to abide by these guidelines at all times:
- Model effective initiation and contracting of client relationship
- Explore fully with a potential mentee what they are looking to achieve
- Ensure both are clear about the purpose of the mentoring
- Establish measures of success in partnership with the mentee
- Fully discuss fees, time frame, and other aspects of a Mentor Coaching relationship
- Inform the mentee regarding all aspects of the ICF Code of Ethics
- Inform the mentee of the availability of the Ethical Conduct Review Board
- Support mentee self‐confidence by encouraging potential mentees to interview more than one mentor coach candidate in order to find the best match
- Make no guarantee to the mentee that as a result of the mentoring the mentee will obtain the credential level they is seeking
- Focus on core competency development by reviewing and providing oral and written feedback on a series of the mentee’s coaching sessions
a. These sessions are to be conducted one at a time, with a feedback session between each one, giving enough time between sessions to allow for incorporation of the mentee’s learning and development. - Provide specific verbal and/or written feedback, using targeted examples from the sessions so that:
a. The mentee will know exactly what they are doing well.
b. The mentee understands what needs to be done to develop a deeper level of mastery in coaching. - Demonstrate that they are learning about the mentee at many levels at once and is able to hold all of that in the context of:
a. Who the mentee is
b. What the mentee is seeking
c. Honoring the mentee’s unique style
