“Coaching is the culture of humanity.”
I first heard this from my own coach, and it has stuck with me.
We are all human beings. No matter where you are in the world, coaching works.
That’s why I’ve been a coach trainer since 2001, and I love it. Facilitating training for experienced coaches is a joy. They always want to learn more, and they already know so much.
Our Level 3 program is about who the coach is being. It’s a deep journey, and one that I am continually undertaking myself.
One of the things that sets this program apart is that, at the beginning of every cohort, we agree to have fun.
I am a firm believer that coaching and learning can be fun and creative, and I want to model this. Most of us know that learning sticks when it’s done in a welcoming, safe, joyful container – and Camilla and I ensure this is a key aspect of the learning environment.
One of my favourite moments in the program is when coaches send through their first coaching session to be reviewed.
Some are nervous. Some struggle with the technology. Some want to send a strong session, but feel their recorded one isn’t ideal.
We encourage everyone to support each other at this stage – whether that’s with the technology, their nerves, or their expectations.
Every single person overcomes the self-doubt and fear, sends the recordings in, and does a great job.
I remember when I began my MCC journey, back in 2005.
I sent one of my recordings to a well-respected MCC coach, who I’d paid to review it and give me feedback, and I was really nervous.
When she emailed me back, she simply said: “Belinda, you're missing the magic.”
Five words. I couldn't believe it. I’d paid money for this!
Where's the magic!?
What is the magic?
How do I find it?
I felt really flat for a couple of days, then realised I was angry. I’d paid all this money just to get five words!
In that moment, I promised myself that when I got my MCC, I would become an MCC assessor. Now, I pride myself on giving clear, actionable and manageable feedback. And I feel so proud of the course participants when they receive feedback and allow it to land.
Giving feedback is a real skill, and so is receiving it.
Especially when it’s something as intimate as a coaching session. I am continuously amazed at participants’ willingness to incorporate feedback from us as trainers and from their peers.
And that “magic”? It can feel ethereal at times. Like you can’t put your finger on it.
Because being an MCC is an internal job.
It’s about coming from love. Love of ourselves. Love of our clients. Love of coaching,
My very first coach said to me: “Belinda, MCC is a mindset.”
I didn’t know what she meant back then, but now I know it’s that we’ve already got it inside of us. The magic is there already. In me. In you. MCC is about trusting it.
For PCCs thinking about going for their MCC, the best advice I can give is: jump in.
It will elevate your coaching. It will give you confidence that you’re “on the right track” as an ICF-credentialed coach.
Even more so, in this current age of “AI coaching”, the depth of presence and mastery of coaching the MCC credential requires will help you future-proof your career.
Find out more about Belinda at belindam.com
Are you ready for the next step in your MCC journey?
Your evolution from PCC to MCC is much more than a professional development tick box: it’s about deepening your presence, trusting your intuition, and nurturing your unique and incomparable coaching style.
On our ICF Level 3 accredited course, you’ll move from knowing how to be a coach to embodying coaching – feeling confident and grounded, transforming coaching techniques into authentic self-expression, and finding ease and freedom within the container of your experience and expertise.
By the end of the program, you will have developed an exceptional level of awareness of yourself as a coach, your unique coaching style, and the strengths you bring to your practice. You will have a clear understanding of what MCC-level coaching looks like, where you currently are in relation to that standard, and what – if anything – you still need to develop before submitting for your MCC credential.
And your journey doesn’t simply end when the program does. If you are not yet ready to submit, we will continue to support you on the road to MCC through regular check-ins and ongoing opportunities for mentoring, supervision and connection.
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