For many business coaches, the pride in mentoring the next crop of business leaders and having an impact on their careers is empowering. People become business coaches to leverage their expertise, cultivating job satisfaction by helping others achieve business success, gain personal and professional growth and enjoy greater career flexibility and autonomy.

But how does any professional make the step up from business leader to business coach? With so many leadership workshops, intensive training programmes, and online courses available, it can be difficult to determine the most efficient path to becoming a modern-day business coach for the next crop of leaders. Here are some of the right steps to take to become a leading business coach today.

Coaching Certifications

Although you don’t technically need any formal degrees or certification to start trading as a business coach, there are still some certificates you can attain that will support your credentials. A great place to start is with online education courses which provide a strong foundation in training frameworks and leadership. For business coaches who also want to facilitate staff training programmes, learning how to be an effective educator is naturally going to be foundational.

On top of engaging with teaching frameworks, aspiring business coaches should also look for ICF (International Coach Federation) accredited qualifications like the Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching (11314NAT) or a Diploma of Leadership Coaching (11315NAT). These courses also help students engage with and apply leadership and training frameworks, with an added focus on facilitating training and mentorship programmes for professionals.

Note that there are many education, leadership, and general business coaching courses out there, so choosing legitimate options may seem challenging. As you do your hunting, be sure to always look for ICF and European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) certification.

Undergraduate Degree

Experience in your field or discipline is naturally going to make you a more attractive prospect for potential clients. This is why many business coaches actually use their undergraduate qualifications to further support the value of their mentorship. A 2023 ICF study showed that around a third of coaches have at least a bachelor’s degree, while 65 per cent were recorded as holding a higher degree. For those wanting to begin their career as a coach, or have little experience in the business sector, pursuing a bachelor’s degree as a foundation can help deliver the vital requisite learning.

The experience of attaining an undergraduate degree also provides foundational business knowledge, aiding professionals in developing crucial skills like strategic thinking and communication, alongside helping build credibility and trust with potential clients. Having any undergraduate qualification is also proof for clients that a coach has invested in their own education.

Postgraduate Studies

If you want to take your specialised industry and management insights one step further, you can also return to education and secure a postgraduate qualification. Postgraduate qualifications like an MBA or even a Master’s of Education can help business coaches drill down further, providing formal training in coaching methodologies, leadership development and business acumen.

For business coaches looking to work with executives or even CEOs and other board members, postgraduate qualifications can help ensure you can speak to your mentees as peers, as you can possess the same level of education as these business leaders that you’re preparing to interact with. Equipping yourself with a mutual understanding and shared context can also ensure you stay well-positioned to offer relevant and helpful insights around strategies for business transformation to these higher-ranking clients.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Training

Small business and entrepreneurship training are other options that have a heavy focus on hands-on and targeted development of the skills needed to coach entrepreneurs. This more hands-on approach to coaching and consultant training uses real-world applications and personalised guidance – but they are often not the complete package for becoming a business coach.

This form of training is more of a beginner or bridging method to help prepare for broader, more academic programs focused on business theory and research. But it will put learners in the same room as experienced business coaches, helping to clarify goals and get the personalised advice required to take the critical big steps that follow.

Professional Development Workshops

This should be regarded as another way to get the entry-level skills and experience required to become a business coach. While these workshops can be a quick way to enter the industry, the lack of certification will make attracting clients a difficult proposition.

They are not without value, though. These workshops can provide an excellent introduction to coaching methodologies, communication techniques, ethical practice and the business acumen required to build a coaching practice. They are also usually shorter, more flexible and modular, making them more accessible for busy people looking to expand their horizons.

Summarising the Training & Tools you Need to Become a High-Value Business Mentor

No matter your academic background, gaining an ICF credential is the gold standard when it comes to business coaching. Beyond your formal training, however, it’s also vital to keep upskilling and adapting regularly to keep pace with ever-changing workplaces and industry landscapes.

Keep your finger on the pulse by devouring market and industry reports wherever possible, and integrating any new findings into your programme materials. Most importantly, keep speaking with people every day! Keep connected with other business leaders and coaches at events to share experiences, gather knowledge and build relationships. Seek mentorship from experienced coaches to gain insights and personalised guidance on developing your practice. And stay updated on digital tools like video conferencing and online platforms that have made remote coaching more accessible and popular.

By maintaining a commitment to improving your own coaching skills and strengthening your understanding of leadership frameworks and other teaching models, you can maintain consistency in the value of your skills and insights as a business coach. And that consistency is the key to retaining your corporate clients over the long term.