Do you have an innate ability to help others see the bigger picture and set realistic goals? Are you skilled at identifying strengths in others and motivating them to conquer their shortcomings? Are you passionate about guiding others, providing advice and helping them navigate challenges? If you enjoy helping others grow and watching them succeed, a career as a leadership coach might be the ideal path for you.
Leadership coaching has emerged as a vital profession in Australia. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) – the leading global organisation for coaching – revealed in its 2023 Global Coaching Study (GCS) that the coaching industry experienced robust growth in recent years, with a 33 per cent increase globally since 20151.
Wondering how to become a coach? You’re in the right place! Let’s explore what it takes to become a leadership coach in Australia, including the necessary qualifications, required skills, and potential earnings and career opportunities.
What is LEADERSHIP COACHING?
When searching for advice on how to become a coach, it’s best to start by uncovering what coaching is. The ICF defines coaching as a process that inspires a person to unlock their personal and professional potential.
As a leadership coach, you could find yourself working with everyone from CEOs and managerial staff to entire workplace teams and individuals to enhance their leadership skills and help them achieve their professional goals.
For potential leaders, coaching provides a personalised approach to developing skills, increasing self-awareness and achieving goals more efficiently. For organisations, it boosts overall performance, improves employee morale and staff retention rates, and strengthens the company’s ability to adapt to change. As a result, many companies are now incorporating leadership coaching into their development strategies to optimise productivity and performance.
What DOES A LEADERSHIP COACH DO?
Leadership coaches work across various industries and sectors, making it a versatile and rewarding career. As a leadership coach, you’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on individuals and organisations, helping them thrive in an ever-changing world.
You will do this through a range of activities like workshops, individual sessions and self-assessment – either one-on-one or in group settings. You will help transform clients’ outlook on work, leadership and life by helping them gain self-awareness, develop strategies, and foster the confidence they need to lead effectively.
Leadership coaches can work with clients in a short-term capacity (three to six months) or in a more long-term arrangement, depending on their needs and career aspirations.
How to become a LEADERSHIP COACH in Australia
According to the 2022 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, 85 per cent of coaching clients expect their coach to be professionally certified2, highlighting the importance of completing accredited studies with relevant, practical course content.
ACAP’s Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching teaches you the in-demand skills and business know-how to become a leadership coach. The course covers topics such as coaching methodologies, professional wellbeing and communication techniques, providing a solid foundation for your coaching practice.
In comparison to other courses on coaching, ACAP’s main point of difference is that our Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching is accredited by the ICF – the gold standard in coaching. This means our course has undergone a rigorous review process and meets strict professional standards, providing you with credibility as a professional coach.
Our online delivery gives you the flexibility to study how and when you want. You will also receive mentorship from our expert teaching staff, as well as the opportunity to expand your professional network.
Whether you’re looking at how to become a business coach or simply want to enhance your leadership skills and open doors to more job opportunities, ACAP’s coaching course can help you achieve your career goals.
Frequently asked questions about HOW TO BECOME A LEADERSHIP COACH
WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED TO BE A LEADERSHIP COACH?
Wondering what skills you need to become a coach? In addition to studying one of the accredited management courses available in Australia, successful leadership coaches also possess a unique set of skills that enable them to guide their clients effectively. These skills can be honed through practice, feedback and continuous learning. Some skills include:
- Active Listening: Being fully present and attentive to your clients’ needs and concerns.
- Questioning Techniques: Asking questions that provoke thought and self-reflection.
- Empathy: Understanding and relating to your clients’ emotions and experiences.
- Communication: Clearly and effectively conveying ideas and feedback.
- Problem-Solving: Helping clients identify challenges and develop actionable solutions.
- Adaptability: Being flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each client.
What CAREER OPPORTUNITIES CAN I EXPECT?
Once you have the qualifications needed, the next step in how to become a business coach is building your coaching practice. This step involves defining your niche – do you prefer working with executives, emerging leaders or teams? When you learn how to become a coach, the possibilities are endless!
The versatility of leadership coaching allows you to choose a career path that aligns with your interests, skills and goals, as well as offering a rewarding and impactful career. Here’s a snapshot of some career opportunities:
- Independent Coach: Running your own coaching practice, working with clients on a one-on-one or group basis.
- Corporate Coach: Partnering with organisations to provide coaching services to their leaders and teams.
- Executive Coach: Specialising in coaching senior executives and leaders.
- Team Coach: Focusing on enhancing the performance and collaboration of teams within organisations.
- Internal Coach: Working within an organisation as an in-house coach, supporting leadership development initiatives.
WHO NEEDS LEADERSHIP COACHING?
While researching how to become a leadership coach, or even how to become a business coach, you might begin to wonder who needs coaching and what support your clients will need from you. Potential clients that might benefit from leadership coaching include those who:
- Want to advance their career or enhance their employment prospects
- Are feeling ‘stuck’ in their current role
- Feel as though they aren’t meeting their full potential in a professional sense
- Are seeking to improve their confidence and communication skills
- Feel they could be more driven and productive in the workplace if they had the support.
IS THE COACHING INDUSTRY GROWING?
The demand for leadership coaches in Australia is growing due to the need for effective leadership at all levels. The ICF revealed that in 2019, the estimated total global revenue from coaching was $US2.8 billion, a 21 per cent increase since 20151, due to the rising demand for coaches. This is driven by the increasing complexities of the business world, such as hybrid and remote working, recession and redundancies.
HOW MUCH DO LEADERSHIP COACHES MAKE?
When searching for advice on how to become a business coach, you’ll most likely want to know how much coaches can earn.
With demand for coaches on the rise, the ICF indicates that the Oceania region has experienced a 42 per cent increase in qualified coaching professionals, resulting in over $295 million worth of revenue in 20221.
As leadership coaches often work as freelancers, they’re able to determine their own business pipeline and, as a result, their annual income. Depending on whether you choose to work full time or part time, and which area of leadership coaching you choose to specialise in, your earning potential as a leadership coach can be anywhere from $50,000 per year for entry-level positions to upwards of $150,000 for more experienced coaches.
READY TO BECOME A LEADERSHIP COACH?
As the demand for effective leadership continues to grow in Australia and around the globe, the role of leadership coaches will remain vital in shaping the future of work. And now that you know how to become a leadership coach, there’s never been a better time to start your journey!
Talk to one of our friendly Course Advisors who will answer all your questions about the course, whether it’s course modules, start dates or funding. Take that first step in the right direction towards being an accredited leadership coach today.
1 ICF’s Global Coaching Survey (GCS)
https://libraryofprofessionalcoaching.com/research/coaching-surveys/global-coaching-survey-from-icf/
2 ICF’s Global Consumer Awareness Study
https://coachingfederation.org/research/consumer-awareness-study