Executive Coaching Qualifications

I have been credentialed from three organizations. My executive coaching qualifications are built on:

• International Coach Federation (the "granddaddy" of standards in the coaching industry.) Designation: PCC (Professional Certified Coach)

• Christian Coaches Network International. The first. and I suspect, the largest support and credentialing organization specifically for Christian coaches. Designation: CMCC (Certified Master Christian Coach)

• Center for Credentialing & Education. Designation: BCC (Board Certified Coach)

International Coach Federation

International Coach Federation Executive Coach, Gary Wood, has been a member since near its inception in 1995. My executive coaching qualifications include ICF's PCC, Professional Certified Coach, credential.

Earning an ICF Credential required extensive coach-specific training, many hours of experience with actual clients, and a demonstrable working knowledge of the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics through a rigorous examination process.

Those coaches who have received these higher and well recognized professional designations subscribe to a Code of Ethics and should be counted on to exhibit high standards of professional conduct. They have accumulated significant hours of client contact and are seasoned veterans in the business.

ICF Core Purpose

Founded in 1995, the International Coach Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. 

The ICF's core purpose is to advance the art, science and practice of professional coaching.

ICF Core Values

In the words of ICF, our core values are:

• Integrity: We uphold the highest standards both for the coaching profession and our organization
• Excellence: We set and demonstrate standards of excellence for professional coach quality, qualification, and competence.
• Collaboration: We value the social connection and community building that occurs through collaborative partnership and co-created achievement.
• Respect: We are inclusive and value the diversity and richness of our global stakeholders. We put people first, without compromising standards, policies and quality.

ICF Pledge of Ethics

The ICF Code of Ethics states that ... As a professional coach, I acknowledge and agree to honor my ethical obligations to my coaching clients and colleagues and to the public at large.

I pledge to comply with the ICF Code of Ethics, to treat people with dignity as independent and equal human beings, and to model these standards with those whom I coach.

If I breach this Pledge of Ethics or any part of the ICF Code of Ethics, I agree that the ICF in its sole discretion may hold me accountable for so doing. I further agree that my accountability to the ICF for any breach may include loss of my ICF membership and/or my ICF credentials.

Christian Coaches Network International

Christian Coaches Network started as a privately owned service to draw together professional coaches who identified as Christian. I served on the Advisory Board starting in 1998. In February of 2010, due to the failing health of the founder, I assumed ownership.

Within a few years I had transitioned ownership, and participated in efforts to have Christian Coaches Network become Christian Coaches Network International, a registered nonprofit. Since that time, I’ve volunteered as able, and supported the organization.

I consider it an honor to include in my executive coaching qualifications CCNI's CMCC, Certified Master Christian Coach designation.

Christian Coaches Network International Code of Ethics

Members of the Christian Coaches Network agree to the following Code of Professional Conduct:

As a Christian Coach:

1. I hold myself accountable to the highest level of integrity, honoring Jesus Christ individually and corporately, in all my associations with clients and colleagues. 2. I will maintain complete confidentiality with my clients, within the confines of the law.

3. I will be clear with my clients about the nature of the coaching relationship, including structure, fees, refunds, expectations and guarantees.

4. I will never give a client's name to anyone, for any purpose, without express permission. 5. I will give credit where credit is due for materials supplied by other sources, respecting copyrights, trademarks and intellectual property.

6. I will judiciously avoid conflicts of interest. If any should arise, I shall, without delay, inform concerned parties of my position.

7. I will represent myself honestly and clearly to my clients, and coach only within my areas of expertise.

8. I will actively pursue well being, wholeness, and continual learning in my own life.

9. I will refer a client to another coach if I am not within my area of expertise or comfort, so the client gets the best possible coaching.

10. I will honor my Christian values in my professional conduct, placing neither blame nor blemish on the name of Christ, the Christian Coaches Network or the coaching profession.

11. I will support the Christian Coaches Network to further professional coaching among believers.

Executive Coach, Gary Wood subscribes to this Code of professional conduct.

Center for Credentialing & Education

Board Certified Coach

I hold the BCC, Board Certified Coach designation.

The Board Certified Coach (BCC), a certification developed by the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE), identifies qualified individuals who have satisfied the established knowledge standards in coaching.

Coaching is a career in which professionals have:

• Specialized education, 
• Training and experience to assess needs of clients, 
• Collaborate with clients on solutions, and 
• Offer strategies that assist individuals and organizations in reaching identified goals.

BCC certificants have the obligation to:

• Maintain high standards of integrity and conduct 
• Act in a manner that protects the welfare and interests of clients 
• Accept responsibility for their actions 
• Act consistent with accepted ethical and legal standards 
• Continually seek to enhance their occupational capabilities 
• Practice with fairness and honesty

Executive Coaching Qualifications

In one sense, the ability to put a few letters behind your name doesn't mean much if you don't deliver. Clients will determine the value you add to their private and professional lives each time you meet. 

Having said that, it is an honor to have gained the above credentials. Getting them requires a demonstration of ability day in and day out. A lot of study and hard work went into being able to list them on this page.