Foundational Coaching Skills (FOCOS) Training Program Overview

FOCOS harnesses the power of adult learning principles over a full year of interaction, practice and application. Using a variety of modalities, you’ll learn to integrate the skills, heart and disciplines of coaching in the context of an intentional learning community. The year of training is divided into three phases.

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Phase 1 - live virtual learning

  • Experience the power of personal coaching when receiving 6 sessions with a trained FOCOS coach

  • Learn and practice the basic skills of coaching through 6 interactive teleclasses

  • Build relationship while building your skills and understanding through discussion and practice in 6 small, facilitator-led Connect Groups

Phase 2 - in-person (1 week onsite workshop) or virtual (1 week intensive workshop)

  • Deepen your learning and skills through a 5 ½ day intensive including teaching, observing live demos by experienced coach trainers, and practicing foundational coaching skills. Observation and feedback is provided by experienced trainers.

  • Build your confidence and competence so that by week’s end, you’ll be equipped to facilitate full length coaching sessions!

Phase 3 - live virtual learning

  • Practice by working with your own clients.  A minimum of 30 sessions are required.

  • Continue to build your skills and integrate coaching values and practices through 4-6 teleclasses (depending on cohort).

  • Build on your discoveries and practice in the smaller learning community of your Connect Group for 4-6 meetings (depending on cohort).

  • Gain essential feedback and affirmation through 2 live observation and feedback sessions with a trained mentor coach.

  • Meet with a mentor coach for 5 individual sessions to support you as you grow as a coach

Reading

Our texts for the FOCOS year of learning are:

  • Leadership Coaching, by Tony Stoltzfus

  • Coaching Questions, by Tony Stoltzfus

These books are purchased separately (available in paperback and kindle)

Materials

The FOCOS program provides Note-taking Guides for teleclass sessions and for the onsite/intensive week workshop as well as additional reading material and video to prepare you for teleclass and Connect Group sessions.

Certification:

  • All participants who complete all aspects of the training, will be issued a ‘Life Coach’ certificate

  • Participants desiring additional certification through the International Coach Federation, will have the necessary support from qualified FOCOS trainers who are certified coaches with the ICF. Additional requirements laid out by the ICF need to be met. The FOCOS program has been successfully used by past graduates to receive their ACC or PCC credential with the ICF through their Portfolio path application. Currently, FOCOS is not an ACSTH or ACTP accredited program with the ICF. 

Contact & Registration

  • The FOCOS program is offered in English and Spanish every year.

  • For more information and application, contact the lead trainers on the previous page.