Learning and Leading Together
Last month, I left the ICF Global Leaders Forum (GLF) in Dublin, Ireland on such a high. I could feel so much positive energy; I could see so much enthusiasm from our 170 fellow ICF volunteer leaders around the world.
I am #ICFProud. We are #ICFProud
It is clear that we all are passionate about coaching, about enhancing the coaching profession, about changing the world. Together, we are One ICF—a vibrant global community with a shared vision of making coaching an integral part of a thriving society. Thank you to all our volunteer leaders for your contributions and for making such a difference to the coaching profession.
Above all, GLF is the opportunity for many volunteer ICF Leaders to meet, to share, to learn from one another and to celebrate.
We had several workshops and, in each session, we had fantastic dialog and full engagement. We discussed and had a deep dive on how we can:
- Deal with a situation when we are confronted with ethical issues
- Increase our revenues and leverage non-dues
- Better plan and manage leadership transition
We also learned from Chapters that have participated with the ICF Foundation, and more specifically, its Ignite program, which focuses on using coaching to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It was moving and inspiring to hear about ICF Members, contributing from everywhere around the world, making a difference to the local communities.
In one panel, the ICF Australasia, Egypt and Italy Chapters discussed how we can create mutually beneficial partnerships locally, sharing their own innovative examples for potential reapplication.
In addition, we celebrated and recognized high performing ICF Chapters. Ask your Chapter Leader whether your Chapter received an award. Honorees were selected based on details from the annual activity report that exemplified our criteria for high performing Chapters. Congratulations to all the 2019 honorees.
My favorite session was on ethics and leadership, where we discussed the challenges of leading an all-volunteer community. Some of the tips, I gathered are very actionable:
- Do not hesitate to reach out. It is OK to ask for help. Others have probably had similar experiences and have found solutions before. Do not reinvent the wheel
- We are part of a bigger community, we are in it together, and we are family
- Breathe, be courageous, and be ready to tackle the most important issues. It is OK to take one issue at a time
- Use your coaching skills in the way you lead and mobilize your community locally
As you can see, these three days were rich and full of opportunities to learn and to network. Look to your Chapter Leader for their takeaways from the event and how you can put them into action in your own ICF Chapter. Jean-Francois Cousin, MCC, our 2019 Global Board Chair, concluded by inspiring us, wishing us happy growth, happy learnings and a happy journey.
In the end, together, we are ready to continue to lead the future of coaching. Together we are stronger, let us power up and be #ICFProud.
Valerie Robert, ACC
Valerie Robert, ACC, has more than 30 years corporate experience in HR, Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing. She currently serves as the Chief HR Officer for the global company Nestlé Skin Health, and prior to that, she was the Chief Human Resources Officer for Archroma, where she led global HR and corporate communications. She has also served as HR VP for Firmenich’s global commercial divisions and corporate talent and as an HR director for Procter & Gamble (P&G). At P&G, she created the organization’s global coach-training curriculum and led the organization’s Global Executive Coaching Practice from its inception. Valerie holds an MBA from France’s EDHEC Business School and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Women on Boards program. She speaks fluent English and French. Valerie is a 2019 ICF Global Board Director.
The views and opinions expressed in guest posts featured on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The publication of a guest post on the ICF Blog does not equate to an ICF endorsement or guarantee of the products or services provided by the author.
Additionally, for the purpose of full disclosure and as a disclaimer of liability, this content was possibly generated using the assistance of an AI program. Its contents, either in whole or in part, have been reviewed and revised by a human. Nevertheless, the reader/user is responsible for verifying the information presented and should not rely upon this article or post as providing any specific professional advice or counsel. Its contents are provided “as is,” and ICF makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or completeness and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law specifically disclaims any and all liability for any damages or injuries resulting from use of or reliance thereupon.
Thank you Valerie for this summary. It is good for those who can’t attend to see what transpired. I agree a highlight is sharing experiences and discussing chapter ethics, not just coaching ethics. I see so many of these issues come up when I travel and address chapters around the world.
Your sharing is very real and touching. Let me yearn for the ICF global conference. I decided to attend the conference in Prague in October 2019. I hope to see you then.
Meet our teacher LISA\\Marcia \DAVID\ZORAN and thank them for their incomparable guidance and guidance in my coaching career, so that I can become a professional coach. Thank you.
Thank you Marcia, I really appreciate your comment. I am glad I was able to trigger useful insights.
Valerie, this is an excellent recap of what leaders saw and heard at the 2019 Global Leader Forum. What an amazing event. It is good for leaders and for their chapters! Thanks for being an important part of it! Sara