[Episode 50] Why Accreditation Matters in Coaching, and Why I Chose the International Coaching Federation

You’re ready to grow, but you're not looking for a cheerleader.

You want a coach who’s qualified, credible, and committed to your success.

That’s why accreditation matters.

Coaching Is an Unregulated Industry

Anyone can call themselves a coach.
And while that can welcome diverse perspectives and lived experiences, it also raises an important question:

How do you know who’s the real deal?

I asked myself the same thing when I began incorporating coaching into my professional practice.

I’ve Worked in Both Regulated and Unregulated Industries

Over the years, I’ve seen how much structure and accountability matter for professional credibility, confidence, clarity, and client outcomes.

• As a teacher, I worked within a highly structured, regulated profession.
• As a fundraiser, I entered another unregulated space. After doing my research, I chose to earn my Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2022 to benchmark my practice.
• So when I added coaching to my toolkit, I knew I wanted to uphold that same standard of professional integrity.

I didn’t just want to say I was a coach.
I wanted to be the best coach I could possibly be, for the sake of every client I work with.

Why I Chose the International Coaching Federation (ICF)

I aligned with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) because of its global recognition and rigorous standards. It’s the most widely respected coaching body in the world, and I trust the coaches who highly recommend it.

The ICF sets a high bar around:

• Professional ethics
• Ongoing development
• Coaching experience and client hours

If I were going to invest my time, money, and energy into this path, I wanted it to be meaningful and right.

And I’m so glad I did.

Where I Am Today

Today, I’m proud to be an ICF member, with over 125 officially recorded coaching hours. I’m on track to apply for my Associate Certified Coach (ACC) accreditation; however, I'm rapidly working towards applying for my Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

This isn’t about having extra letters after my name.
It’s about trust.

It’s about showing up for every client with:

• Skill
• Structure
• Humility
• And a deep respect for the work we’re doing together

What This Means for You

If you’re working with a coach, or considering it, I encourage you to ask about their training and accreditation. It says much about how seriously they take your growth, investment, and goals.

When done well, coaching isn’t surface-level — it’s transformative.

By that, I mean coaching is about increasing your capacity, expanding your skills, and deepening your knowledge. It’s different from consulting or mentoring. While I draw on those approaches when needed, the most significant impact comes when a client is ready to do the work — to shift mindsets, take aligned action, and transform not just their business, but their life.

And that kind of change?
It often begins with being willing to feel uncomfortable and being able to sit with it.

Curious About What Great Coaching Could Look Like for You?

At Ask Fleur, I offer:

• Personalised one-to-one coaching
• Intimate, focused mastermind groups
• Practical, energising Boost Your Business planning workshops

All grounded in globally recognised best practices, and designed to help small business owners and professionals grow with clarity and confidence.

👉 Explore coaching options