CoachingDevelopment.com, Participants Feedback on our coach training courses.

Alan Hocking	The programme has demystified what coaching is. I have learned the skills to help others 1-2-1 in a way that compliments my consulting work. Great balance between practice and theory. Great pace. Duration and course structure are just right … in depth but not overly dragged out. The gift I didn’t expect is the coaching I’ve received over the last 5 months – it’s helped me build a richer life for myself in many different ways.	Phil and Colin are a fluid double act who embody the theory I was looking for and who role model a productive way of being with others. They are highly skilled and experienced. Their style is light and playful and quiet and strong in all the right measures. I appreciate them sharing themselves, their life experiences and their perspectives with us in a candid way. The programme feels very unique to them. This is no ‘franchise’ of a development programme. It’s the real thing. It came highly recommended and I have no qualms recommending it to others.

Anna LAMBE	What an amazing experience! I’m not sure what I expected and in fact what scepticism, doubt and other feelings I had. But the programme has been engaging, exciting, challenging, useful, fun and on and on. It reaffirmed what I was already doing, showed me different ways of thinking to the extent that I have learned to trust myself more. My current clients have noticed, it has bumped up my coaching and made me feel even more excited about the future. A programme for adults who want to be treated as adults … with a few twists thrown in for fun!!!	Superb, excellent, wow! And at the risk of inflating an ego or two … simply brilliant. An excellent mix of styles, complimentary. Openness, honesty and authentic interaction with participants. Genuine interest in creating an environment for learning and growth. Can’t say enough to do them justice…or the programme.

Anny ALIPRANTI	I consider myself a demanding person when it comes to training, being a trainer myself. This programme went may beyond my expectations and I admit that this is a first for me. I am extremely proud to have completed this course with C.D. I cannot imagine there is a better course available out there. Coaching would be so highly regarded if all coaches had to take this programme.	Very professional and personal at the same time. Setting an excellent example of what was expected from us. Offering clarity, inspiration, encouragement and challenge as seen fit. I would be looking forward to working with them soon.

Barbara J. BABCOCK	How lucky I have been to be able to come on the programme with such great trainers, an available mentor team and to be part of such a special group of people. I feel fortunate and privileged. An approach to teaching coaching that is rigorous and has been well thought out. Your passion for coaching and developing others to coach comes through. I feel I can now claim that I AM A COACH with no reservations on my skills, knowledge or ability (yet still aware of how else I want to develop).	Brilliant! Their style worked for me. I enjoyed the experiential and ‘organic’ approach to learning blended with humour. This has been a fun learning experience! I also feel I will develop as a trainer myself, as I picked up some new things from you to try out. More time on beliefs, making referrals and psych games!

Bridget BRICE	I have loved the experience. I feel motivated, inspired and deeply tired! It has been exactly what I wanted and needed. I feel very ‘qualified’ to go out there and coach with even greater confidence and insight. The group has also been fantastic – there’s been such energy around the course. I felt sometimes there was a tendency to give coaching observations/feedback too rigidly: sticking to ‘core competencies’ – lists … rather than what worked? What could be better?	Philip and Colin are wonderful trainers and they compliment each other perfectly. Their insight, their enthusiasm and their knowledge of coaching is fantastic. Two wonderful and special people. Sometimes I felt the demos were not as interesting as I expected. Was it that the ‘clients’ were rather compliant (due to working with teachers?...) A couple of them felt a bit flat!

Cathy DEAN	It’s been a privilege to be part of this experience. I feel that I have been given a priceless gift that has had, and will continue to have, a profound effect on the shape of my life and how I am, who I am. The headline cost may look expensive, but what you get in return is priceless. To have witnessed so many others go through such a profound experience as well has been humbling and joyful. This programme is extra-ordinary, in the true sense of the word.	Phil and Colin will stay with me forever – I’ve never before seen such mastery in design, delivery and facilitation and I have some new definitions of excellence as a result. Their feedback was always incisive and helpful and Phil, in particular, was a constant source of inspiration and wisdom mixed with benevolence. While I undoubtedly learned an awful lot from Colin, I sometimes felt that the group as a whole was getting on his nerves, and it showed…

Euan COWIE	I have learnt a huge amount about myself in relation to my coaching style and approach and now feel a more able and effective coach. I knew the majority of the content on the programme but found the practice and feedback to be invaluable. I also learnt a huge amount from being coached between modules. I found observations of different styles of coaching to be really useful.	Colin and Phil were both excellent facilitators. Kept my interest (most of the time) and knew their stuff. I particularly enjoyed their facilitating of the whole group discussion. Their humour and non-judgemental approach made it easy to enjoy the process.

Eugenia OLAVIDE	A very rich experience in which every module added, gradually, knowledge, practice and awareness of who I am and what I do and want. The result being a sense of growth, fulfilment and satisfaction.	Highly experienced in their own field; complimenting each other in their styles of teaching making the learning experience a fun and balanced one. Practical and caring – open to change and flexible.

Grainne SUTER	Very professionally organised, both prior to and during the course. A valuable and rich learning experience that met all the objectives. Range of learning styles/ material/ methods.	Very able. Brought different perfections and a breath of experience that facilitated learning. Supportive, encouraging and enabling – trained in a coaching way.

Grant MURRAY	An extraordinary, powerful and rich experience, wonderful, amazing, challenging, exciting and satisfying: never a dull moment.	Excellent: As well as the knowledge skills and experience, which they have in abundance, there is authenticity. These guys don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk.

Hilary DUNSTAN	I started off thinking: ‘I’m an effective coach (evidence from my results) and although I am sure will learn, my main drive is to be ICF trained’. Having now gone through the training, this is not just a toolkit, but (has) completely changed my philosophy, my DNA as a coach …. And I now happen to be ICF trained. Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough some how.	Phil – a rare luxury to experience someone so true to himself, authentically playing in the moment and not getting hung up on ‘being in the role model trainer’. We have become richer because of it. Colin – so many worlds created without words. Truly a master, which I will take with me when I ‘dance’ with my clients.

Hilary EARLE	This has been the most powerful learning experience I’ve experienced. Truly transformational for myself and, in my opinion, everyone on the programme. I was originally daunted by the size of the group and now, at the end, I feel connected to each person. The blend of ‘inputs’, discussion and coaching sessions was perfect for me and the way I best learn. I love the practical nature of the course, the constant coaching and feedback sessions. It feels like coaching is now a huge part of me.	What a double act! Great facilitators and ‘givers of wisdom’, from the heart not from a manual. Humorous, sensitive, challenging and totally supportive.

Isabelle TRICAUD	My experience of the programme is immense. I didn’t know much about coaching, although I felt it could be something that suits me. At the end of this programme, I know that I want to work as a coach. I am very much looking forward to building up a practice while continuing and improving my development. I appreciated that this (training) is based a lot upon practice. Though the theoretical aspects of it were very powerful for me (especially TA, working styles, gremlins, assumptions). I now know much better who I am and I am very happy with that. I have evolved and improved so much from Day 1.	Phil and Colin were great. Two complementary personalities with different styles and who work well together. They are on the same wave length. That gives a feeling of safety around what they teach. They were open to everybody on this course and completely available.

Jacqueline HILL	A safe, solid and clean, guided opportunity for me to look into my head and my heart, decide what I wanted to keep, leave behind, and bring in – both as a coach and in my wider life. Incredible value for money:- I am now a coach; I have received a huge amount of powerful coaching; I have made connections that further my existing purpose and become clearer about what that is. Found that I needed to set aside 6-8 days per month to get the most out of all it had to offer.	(The trainers): Committed to and passionate about coaching; confident and trusting in us as delegates and coaches; treated us as adults whilst not being afraid to play; kept a professional distance whilst being supportive; worked to meet individual needs without comprising the course or others’ learning; articulated and maintained clear group “norms”.

James GARRETT	A pleasure and a privilege. I have a new “trade”. I know it is ‘me’ and that I can do it well. I want to keep improving and will make the sacrifices to ensure this happens.	The trainers have taken great care in their design and delivery to ensure that all learning styles are amply catered for. The learning content is rigorously applied to the training subject (i.e. coaching) at every turn. The range and balance of training techniques used is excellent – this is demonstrably a 20-day training programme as opposed to a 5x4 day series of trainings. The length of the programme is used to great effect to allow experiential learning to flourish. Overall, a first-class programme delivered by experienced practitioners who exude professional pride in their field.

Jane QUICK	Like unwrapping a brown-papered present and discovering the most beautiful gifts as each wrapping layer is removed. A programme that does so much more than it says on the tin. A sensitively and professionally facilitated journey for which provides not only skills, but a life enriching event. Fun, professional, full of support, challenge and comradeship. A fantastic experience – new challenge, new friends!	Excellent. Professional, sensitive, creative, fun. The feedback from Phil and Colin on a 1:1 basis was very powerful – I always felt that both Phil and Colin had the skills, interest and care for all to help us all of the time. Both provided inspiration and warmth in different ways – a great ‘double act’.

Jane ROBINSON	Transformational. Over five months I’ve been on both a professional and personal journey. I’d anticipated the former, not the latter, but both have been rich in self-awareness, learning and development. The programme has offered me knowledge and the space in which to grow. I began the course saying that I’d never coached before and wasn’t sure if it was what I wanted to do – I was too afraid of failure to admit openly that it was. I now leave saying I am a coach.	Both Phil and Colin exceeded my expectations. They are immensely knowledgeable and experienced and yet owned their own learning during the course and welcomed debate and challenge. Their openness, warmth and humour created for me a truly developmental space in which to learn and grow.

Jessica S.	Interesting balance between theory and practical experience, which helped solidify the learning using the best adult learning principles. For me, it has been as valuable to be coached (and the journey I went on because of this) as learning to be a coach. If there’s one thing missing for me, it is only some kind of mental picture/model/link between the little vignettes of theory/models which are dotted throughout the course. I am sure with some self study I can make the link between 1+ states and CP/A/NP/RC type models, but there is no explicit reference to this which I personally would have found helpful. Overall though, an excellent experiential practical introduction to the broad fundamentals of coaching as a profession.	Colin and Phil a great double act. Seem to compliment each other. The ‘niceness’ which initially ‘grates’, mellows over time. The unwillingness to answer questions initially becomes a) accepted behaviour and b) less strict as the modules go on. What I appreciate most however, is the sheer professional expertise and competence you bring to each session, with humour but with a strong belief in what you do and the competence in what you do. It gives those ‘being taught’ confidence …and invited us in to share your journey to Masterful Coaching. Who knows….

John FORD	Very thorough coverage of a wide variety of coaching skills. Very valuable in developing self awareness for example through the treatment of ‘gremlins’, emotional skills, thinking versus feeling. Many skills have excellent applications in the broader arena for example contracting alliances, contracting and active listening. The course has a high emphasis on experiential learning. The triads are a very powerful tool to achieve this.	Always enthusiastic, engaged and often inspirational. Good use of humour and seriousness. Good complement with the quirkiness of Colin and the emotional wisdom of Phil. Excellent discipline around timekeeping and deliverables. One or two sessions didn’t (shine?), e.g. Challenging in Module 2, but comments were taken on board and corrections or amendments to be made. The course is conducted in a very supporting, safe atmosphere.

Kate FARLEY	My objective in doing the course was two-fold: to marry my business experience with my counselling training, and to recognise and support my own transition from corporate employee to whatever is next. I am now a coach. I am competent and have some real clients paying me real money. But more than that, I am a different person from the person that began the course.	Engaged, consistent, expert, receptive to audience. Both Phil and Col delivered a fantastic course. Well worth every penny including all flights and hotel costs!!

Kimberley RAYMAN	I feel that I have learnt more about life and people in the past few months, than I have ever before from a course/other source. The subject matter is fascinating and stimulating, and the way we have learnt has been revolutionary for me – it has been such a free, adult, safe, creative, powerful and empowering way to learn. I felt like I have learnt an immense amount not just about coaching, and how to coach, but also about myself and life/people/the world!	Phil and Colin have been inspirational trainers. They have modelled exemplary coaching behaviours to us. They have been incredibly supportive and respectful, whilst also giving us our own space to learn. I have never had experience of ‘being trained’ in this way before – it has opened my eyes to a new way of learning and being. Thank you

Lennart JOHANSSON	I feel like I have grown into a fully trained coach. I have also changed as a person in many ways. Feel much more confident and secure about myself. Indeed a transformational experience.	Very competent and experienced. Very serious about what they do. Ability to mix serious ‘stuff’ with a good deal of humour. Compliment each other very well. Warmth.

Lisa WILLIAMS	At the risk of sounding evangelical – this has been an amazing journey. A programme cleverly designed in its 5 parts to model the coaching process. Module 1 set the perimeter/contact/objectives and focus and ‘gently’ brought us together as a group. And what a great group, held gently and supportively together, by Colin and Phil. Mod 2-4 introduced some great theory in enough detail/ depth, and with enough experiential work, for us to absorb it into our coaching. Finally Mod 5 asks where are you now, where are you going and how will your life be different, before sending us off to do our thing. I am a coach!	Both unique and superb at what they do. I appreciated the anecdotes and experiences both brought – they have both ‘been there’, done that and have the t-shirt! They both practice what they preach and were accessible throughout the programme. I appreciated their warmth, sensitivity and immense skill (demonstrated by the demos in particular, and in so many other ways – the classes they led, the feedback and observations they made). I hope our paths will cross again.

Liz BACON	An amazing journey! At first I was concerned about the size of the group, but it turned out to be a huge contributing factor to the success of the programme for me: diverse and rich. An experiential programme that really embeds the skills, knowledge and attitude of coaching at a deep level.	Phil and Colin brought their huge expertise and experience to the delivery of the programme. They modelled the behaviours that they expected of the group and personally set the right tone for an amazing learning (skills and self) experience. As you would expect, they were positive and encouraging throughout.

Ludovic OTTERBEIN	I am leaving this course in a body and mind better connected. I have learned about myself. I have grown and developed. I am more aware of who I am and where I want to be. This course was rich and powerful. It is also complete and covers from what is coaching to details of how to run a practise. You learn about coaching, but the bigger benefit is that you learn about yourself.	Perfect (in) respect of time. Very professional and very good coach trainers with right lever of assertiveness when required. They coached us on this training, not told us what to do and how to do it.

Marcin GORSKI	It is going to be hard to do it in few words. I feel complete in terms of the basic coaching knowledge, and this is exactly what I have expected. I feel equipped to proceed as a coach, and confident about my skills, abilities and knowledge. It feels like it was designed not only to pass certain material, but to build us as coaches, bring awareness about our own processes and personalities. If I had to use only two words I would say: pure excellence.	Masters. This is the first time (that) I’ve experienced this type of learning. I wish I was taught this way all my life. I would have been a completely different person now. Thank you for sharing another way to all of us. The ultimate way for learning. I love your approach: open, honest, straight forward, and at the same time professional.

Marina MILNER	Extraordinary. Profound. Practical. Created meaning for me and understanding of myself as well as coaching. Inspiring because Phil and Col are so different yet work together so well, and are passionate about what they do but don’t create dependency or (apparently) get tired! Except when on hay fever pills or just after lunch. Would recommend it to anyone.	Both trainers are excellent. Full of deep knowledge of their subject. Also highly adept at delivery and facilitation. I liked 95% of the design of the training very much. Feedback from Colin in particular very rich, rewarding and insightful. From Phil I got a sense of confidence (his in me and so me in myself). Both create an encouraging space that has permission to be who you are and necessary structures and boundaries.

Matthew EATWELL	Coaching is not just a profession but a way of life. If you’re looking for a coaching course run by trainers that ‘walk the talk’, this is the programme for you. There are many approaches that teach coaching/change tools, but few that move beyond technique. If you’re prepared to be as authentic as the trainers, you’ll discover a whole new way of living!

Neil SCOTTON	As an experienced coach, this programme gave me a fresh view of a familiar subject. It was like going up a familiar mountain by a different path and features were seen from new angles with increasing clarity. All ACTP’s are not the same – doing this has added greatly to my understanding of the psychological underpinnings of coaching, it has reinforced and refreshed the practice of the fundamental competencies. It has highlighted the power of constantly contracting and voicing appropriately what is going on inside clearly and respectfully.	Honest, experienced, insightful and excellent models of great coaching. They created the time, space and atmosphere for important and challenging issues to be raised and resolved; in ways which themselves demonstrated great coaching.

Nick WILSON	The programme shifted my relationship with myself as a coach, and did so through (extending) the range of action open to me. The extent of experience and practice provided opportunities both to understand the theoretical input and then to use it in coaching. This ‘putting into practice’ happens naturally through awareness of which is possible, and the emphasis is always on being a coach who is coaching and not on trying something out.	Phil and Colin are impressive trainers because what they deliver is authentically them. They have a deep understanding and love for what they deliver, and their intention is constantly on who we need to be to be coaches. They know we are (coaches) and act as if it already true. Feedback from them and demonstrations stretch what is possible for us.

Paula MILLIGAN	The Certificate in Coaching programme has been the most powerful experiential learning model of my life. Far gone were the days of sitting in a dusty lecture theatre in university getting talked at – this course pushed me out of my comfort zone completely. It stretched me and grew me – leaving me in the end with a skill that will stand by me personally and professionally in my future.	Excellent. Phil and Colin have different personalities, traits and ways of being, yet together form a potent partnership. I have massive respect for both these trainers and endeavour to be as successful as they are one day. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in coaching training.

Roberta CELESTE	Enlightening! Provided me a broad view of what are the theories and techniques available for coaching and created a learning environment with the conditions needed to really move beyond that. Defining and developing the competencies to be the coach I want to be.	Role models! Best in class.

Ron GORLICK	Overall, the best training programme I have ever attended. Efficient use of time, well-prioritised, respectful of boundaries. The course has been a powerful combination of learning and self-discovery. I feel well-prepared to unfold my wings and take my first tentative flight as a ‘real’ coach of a ‘real’ client. Secure in my capabilities in the core coaching competencies, but humbled by the knowledge that I still have much to learn.	Colin and Phil were a wonderful team. They complement each other well, and provide striking contrast and examples of two vastly different, yet equally effective coaching styles. If the confines of the course provided the necessary ‘safe’ place needed to learn, they set the tone and were responsible for this.

Steve BERRY	Super learning environment with a super group of people. The interaction with the delegates on the course and the shared experiences during the learning exercises has been a huge benefit (and great fun!). One of the huge lessons/learning I will take away is that of a heightened self-awareness. Emotional at times, but I know myself much better and now this will benefit my coaching moving forward. This has been a secure and safe environment in which to learn, but I have always felt we have been dealing with real-life subjects and this has brought the delegates and the content alive.	Excellent. Softly challenging and feedback given when ‘asked’. Messages always delivered in a ‘kind’ and ‘generous’ manner.

Steve BULEY	An incredible learning experience – a personal and professional journey of such depth that it can and does permanently alter your perspective on life. It is a smooth journey from absolute beginner to competent and trained coach that has an almost ‘magical’ quality to it. I cannot speak more highly of the course – in 20 years of personal development, I cannot think of a course that has left me so well prepared for what is to come in life.	Both Colin and Philip are the epitome of excellent coaches AND excellent trainers. They are inspirational to watch and learn from, and yet maintain an air of humility about their own continuous learning that is so refreshing. They have designed and delivered a course that is subtle in its approach and yet rock solid in its impact. No one is perfect in life, but in their way of teaching and guiding learners, Philip and Colin come very high up towards that accolade.

Terry DOOLEY	The programme reinforced my own self belief in ‘natural coaching’. It also gave me some insight into areas that I had little or no knowledge. I am now going to further my own learning by pursuing some of the subject matter. Learning with a group of like minded people with such a range of skills was extremely beneficial.	The trainers’ experience shone. Quite obvious that they live for the subject and that coaching for them is not a matter of life and death….it’s more important than that!

Tim BRADFORD	Fan-bloody-tastic!! A great course that moved my development as a coach forward by an order of magnitude. The course didn’t so much end, it’s more that my coaching journey began. THANK YOU.	Excellent! They navigated us through the material in such a way that they were genuinely on board with us, enjoying the ride! Subject knowledge was clearly extensive and yet delivered without a hint of arrogance, I would not hesitate to recommend either Phil or Colin to any individual or organisation for training of this type. The tightrope they walked between being a trainer as opposed to a coach was difficult. They may have wobbled, but they didn’t fall.

Trevor GIBSON	A really invigorating and liberating experience. The unique approach to the learning took me outside of my comfort zone, and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! I learnt as much about me as I did about coaching and the power of the approach has given me a solid basis for my future change of career.	The unique chemistry between Colin and Phil made each of the twenty days fascinating and exhilarating. The ‘wow’ factor experienced on module 1 was sustained throughout. The knowledge, experience and approach were powerful and faultless. They created a relaxed but focussed atmosphere with a healthy dose of fun throughout.

Virginia MOUNT	I have recommended this course to 3 other people already, who are keen to practice as coaches in the future. I have explained that it is practical in its approach, allows for lots of practice in a safe environment and stays at a pace that really enables learning and development. There are fundamental tools and techniques that all coaches should learn and an opportunity for raising self-awareness, such that as coaches, we are more effective and equipped.	Rich in experience. Playful in their delivery. Honouring of different learning styles, values and behaviours. Enabled the environment to be safe to learn and explore. Allowed space for the group to create its own character and voice.

Yana BLACKWELDER	It was a very valuable and extremely rewarding experience both personally and professionally. This programme allowed me to believe in myself, take my coaching to a very high professional standard and find my unique ‘optimal’ style. Thank you!	Both Phil and Colin are excellent trainers, real masters of coaching. They designed and delivered a highly experiential, very thought provoking and conceptually interesting programme. I feel honoured to observe and experience their work. Thank you!

Zoë CREIGHTON	Life changing on 2 levels: 1) Utterly practical in that it has given me all the tools to start a new career. 2) Emotionally transforming and empowering, so I have the inner strength to start my new career and tackle any other challenges I want as well. Not only the training and hands on coaching practice has been valuable, but also sharing the journey with a group of people who have made the learning much richer and hugely fun. Thank you!	Phil, Colin and Dani balance each other superbly in style and approach. I respect and admire their wisdom, lightness of touch, fun, expert communication, discipline, time keeping and warmth.
^ Back to first comment