Q. What does the training consist of? What is the coaching “curriculum?”
A. The core of our curriculum consists of three parts: designing the 12 areas of your life, becoming an expert in the Handel Method®, and learning how to convey the method to others.
First, a large part of the work that a Coach in Training (CIT) does is to evolve each of the areas of their life to a high level. The result is that every area of our coaches’ lives acts as an inspiration to themselves and others.
Second, as a CIT you must complete assignments covering all of the principles of the Handel Method. Some of these principles include: Making and Keeping Promises, Catching Excuses, Building a Dream Body, Ending Being Fake, Thought Logs and Themes, Fully Describing and owning Your Personality Traits, Unraveling Your Personal History, How to Communicate, and Finding Your Personal Mission. For a more comprehensive list, please ask your interviewer.
Finally, you must demonstrate the ability to convey our methods to others. CITs practice coaching by coaching students, auditing coaching calls, and assisting with homework for group coaching calls.
The bulk of your training takes place through weekly calls with a trainer and homework assignments. In support of your coaching education, we require occasional retreats, reading several books, weekly and monthly training calls, training audio, and a CIT “buddy” program.
Q. What are the basic principles underlying The Handel Method?
A. The main concept underlying our methodology is honesty and Personal Integrity™. Please see What We Do for more information on our three main methodologies.
Q. How long does the training take?
A. The full CIT program is a two-year program. The exact length it takes for a CIT to graduate from the rigorous program and begin coaching a client varies with the pace of the individual CIT. The CIT program has two start dates: January and July.
Q. How much does the training cost? May I make payments?
A. Tuition is $1200/month, and can be made in either one or two payments per month. The average time to complete the program is 2 years; however, given that some will naturally move faster than others and some will move slower, the final cost of the program will vary from individual to individual based on completion date.
Q. What is the time commitment per week for coach training?
A. We estimate that coach training will require five to ten hours of work per week in the early stages of your training, and seven to twelve hours in the later stages. This depends on how quickly you want to move through the training and how you space out your responsibilities.
Q. How does The Handel Group schedule training? Do you hold training calls at the same time all the time or does it vary?
A. Our group training calls are held at regular times, but you can arrange calls with your trainer at any time that is mutually agreeable.
Q. Can I fit training into my work schedule?
A. Yes. Many of our trainees work full-time while completing the training.
Q. After completion of the program, do you get clients for me to coach, or am I self-promoting? Are you marketing me, or am I doing it, or both?
A. Both. We do not require you to bring in your own clients, but we welcome you to do so. The coaches who have full rosters both receive clients from us and are self-promoting. The Handel Group does fully manage marketing and branding to ensure that the word gets out through our website, e-newsletters, affiliate sites, flyers, social networking sites, seminars and upcoming TV projects.
Q. What are the expectations when the training is over and I become a coach?
A. In addition to paid coaching time, there is also some unpaid time. We expect you to participate in “buddy” calls, a weekly call with a trainer, to fill out time sheets, additional client correspondence, weekly and monthly coach training calls, and ongoing training and development.
Q. Can I open up my own business after being trained?
A. At Handel Group, we are building our own brand and as a Coach-in-Training, you sign an agreement that you will only use our methodologies as a contractor working for The Handel Group. Someday there may be a licensing option, but it is not something we currently offer. We find that this is the only way to maintain the highest standards and why The Handel Group coaches are considered the best in the business.
Handel Group also offers an ambassador program to orient leadership practitioners from outside Handel Group to use our Inner.U online coaching course in their practice and/or with their clientele.
Q. Is Handel Group training recognized in the industry? Is there a certificate for life coaching? Do you get any diploma/certificate for completing the Handel Group program?
A. Handel Group sets its own standard in the coaching industry and does not participate in certifications created by various other institutions. Our training will qualify you to coach with Handel Group using The Handel Method. We do not offer an industry-wide certification program because we require that you teach our methodology exclusively through Handel Group and other certifications do not match, nor tend to meet the extent of, our training requirements.
Q. Does Handel Group certification qualify me to do both corporate and life coaching? Will I be able to do corporate coaching and private coaching once I complete the training program?
A. The core training of The Handel Method is applicable across a variety of circumstances and client needs. All trainees participate in the same base of training, and then specialize in additional case-specific training related to their passion and the type of client with whom they wish to work. Our points of client interface currently include the following divisions: Corporate, Life, Sports, Education, Diversity/Inclusion, and Digital/Media. While it is possible you might contribute across multiple divisions, if you did not enter the program with the decision already made you will choose a specialization at the halfway point of your training that will be the focus of your coaching career with Handel Group.
Q. How do I apply for the CIT program?
A. If you are still interested in the training after reading the FAQs, please email us with further questions about the application process at: admissions@handelgroup.com. Please note that the application deadline for the January class is October 15 and the application deadline for the July class is April 15.
Before being admitted to the program, an applicant must fulfill the following prerequisite requirements: