To ensure clarity and to permit standard and fair evaluation, the competencies are arranged in a hierarchical structure—areas (4), competencies (27) and competencies’ indicators (77). This approach lends both structure and flexibility to the assessment process.
WABC’s competencies cover the breadth and depth of professional practice expected of a proficient leader-as-coach. The competencies provide a framework against which individuals can map their training and experience.
Since 1997, WABC has been committed to defining and leading business coaching excellence. We’ve spent years on in-depth research, literature reviews and consultations with some of the world’s top business coaches and their clients to create evidence-based standards for professional business coaches.
In 2023, we engaged a WABC Research Team to undertake a further in-depth literature review and research into leaders-as-coaches. One result of this immense effort is the draft list of evidence-based leader-as-coach coaching competencies* in June 2024. This list of competencies is based on the real-world tasks of leaders-as-coaches in small and large businesses, governments, institutions, nonprofits–any organizations where they practice. From later-2024 to later-2026, this list will undergo further validation through our pilot accreditation process involving a select group of training providers from around the world. Once the pilot is completed, we’ll finalize and publish this list.
*The WABC Leader-as-Coach Coaching Competencies also include appropriate competencies and competencies’ indicators from the WABC Business Coaching Competencies.
WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Leader-as-Coach Coaching Competencies, including the right to change, replace or discontinue.
The leader-as-coach coaching competencies are divided into four areas:
Each area includes a listing of competencies. Each competency is illustrated by examples of the behavior expected of a proficient leader-as-coach. The competencies provide a framework against which individuals can map their training and experience.
To ensure clarity and to permit standard and fair evaluation, the competencies are arranged in a hierarchical structure—areas (4), competencies (27) and competencies’ indicators (77). This approach lends both structure and flexibility to the assessment process.
First, the competencies are divided into four “areas”:
Then, under each area, the levels range from “competencies” (specific) to “indicators” (most specific). The following excerpt from the beginning of the competencies illustrates the different levels.
EXAMPLE:
The indicators are very specific measures within each competency and are worded in such a way that individuals can rate themselves. It’s important to note that not all indicators (there are 77) have equal weight in establishing a competency.
Since 1997, WABC has been committed to defining and leading business coaching excellence. We’ve spent years on in-depth research, literature reviews and consultations with some of the world’s top business coaches and their clients to create evidence-based standards for professional business coaches.
In 2023, we engaged a WABC Research Team to undertake a further in-depth literature review and research into leaders-as-coaches. One result of this immense effort is the draft list of evidence-based leader-as-coach coaching competencies* in June 2024. This list of competencies is based on the real-world tasks of leaders-as-coaches in small and large businesses, governments, institutions, nonprofits–any organizations where they practice. From later-2024 to later-2026, this list will undergo further validation through our pilot accreditation process involving a select group of training providers from around the world. Once the pilot is completed, we’ll finalize and publish this list.
*The WABC Leader-as-Coach Coaching Competencies also include appropriate competencies and competencies’ indicators from the WABC Business Coaching Competencies.
WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Leader-as-Coach Coaching Competencies, including the right to change, replace or discontinue.
Leader-as-coach coaching is carried out by leaders or managers within a business, non-profit organization or government entity as part of their role in managing and developing others within the same organization. It is the process of engaging in a formal or informal structured conversation with a team member or members, with the goal of improving performance in the achievement of strategic goals.
The leader-as-coach adds order, clarity, understanding and perspective to problematic situations, helping team members to look at the broader context of issues or problems. Through listening to understand, incisive questioning and delivering effective feedback, the leader-as-coach enables team members to understand their roles in achieving business success, and supports team members in thinking deeply and creatively of new or different approaches to enhance those roles in measurable and sustainable ways.
The leader-as-coach manages the unequal relationship involved in their coaching by recognizing the inherent difference in power held by the leader and team members. Through awareness of the value of directive and non-directive approaches and by appropriate use of both, without misusing positional power to the detriment of the team members or the organization, the leader-as-coach ensures that coaching conversations leave team members feeling positively motivated to apply their new learning and understanding. The leader-as-coach focuses on supporting team members to leverage their strengths, rather than emphasizing perceived weaknesses. The leader-as-coach actively demonstrates respect, fairness and transparency towards team members, seeking to understand them from their own perspectives.
The coaching may involve different goals (e.g., goal achievement, problem solving, performance development, career planning or team building), but throughout there is a clear focus on the business objectives of both the team and the organization. Successful coaching helps team members achieve defined business outcomes within the context of the organization.
To that end, the leader-as-coach should seek to abide by the highest ethical standards which recognize the importance of diversity, difference and the need for mutual respect.
Since 1997, WABC has been committed to defining and leading business coaching excellence. We’ve spent years on in-depth research, literature reviews and consultations with some of the world’s top business coaches and their clients to create evidence-based standards for professional business coaches.
In 2023, we engaged a WABC Research Team to undertake a further in-depth literature review and research into leaders-as-coaches. One result of this immense effort is this draft definition of leader-as-coach coaching in June 2024. This definition is based on the real-world tasks of leaders-as-coaches in small and large businesses, governments, institutions, nonprofits–any organizations where they practice. From later-2024 to later-2026, this definition will undergo further validation through our pilot accreditation process involving a select group of training providers from around the world. Once the pilot is completed, we’ll finalize and publish this definition.
WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Leader-as-Coach Coaching Definition, including the right to change, replace or discontinue.
WABC Accredited (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach) global mark is a program accreditation distinction that ensures you’re offering the most comprehensive and robust leader-as-coach training available in the world.
Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach programs develop leaders-as-coaches at certified-level who represent many professional roles (e.g., leader, manager, supervisor). Such programs focus on developing core coaching skills within the context of a leadership role and are for participants who either have had little or no previous experience with coaching, or who already have some leader-as-coach coaching experience that they now wish to consolidate fully with best practice. We identify practice in this context to be the application of coaching skills, with appropriate recognition of the imbalance of power held by them and individual team members, with the goal of supporting the development and empowerment of others and improving performance in the delivery of strategic business and organizational goals and objectives.
Graduates of these programs are eligible to earn the WABC Certified Leader-as-Coach™ (CLAC™) credential. The credential is granted by WABC.
WABC Accredited (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach):
WABC Accredited, as a program accreditation qualification, is the most rigorous level of qualification available to programs by an external accreditor. Program accreditation processes that follow industry best practice ensure their accredited programs require validation, carry re-accreditation requirements and are subject to revocation. WABC Accredited adheres to these best practices.
The WABC Accredited mark is awarded by WABC, a global accrediting body headquartered in Canada.
You’re an ideal candidate for WABC Accredited (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach) if your program meets the following profile.
As such, this level of program accreditation is only available to training programs that offer leader-as-coach coaching as the main focus of their curriculum. This means 100% of the learning hours within the program must be focused on the practice, theory and/or research of leader-as-coach coaching.
Even if your program is brand new, or requires significant changes to meet WABC’s standards, you’ll most likely be eligible to register in our WABC Program Accreditation Process.
Graduates are eligible to earn the CLAC credential, so when you screen your participants you’ll ensure they meet this profile
Option: Full Length
Duration: 4–6 months*
Hours: 45–55*
*Some variability expected based on participants’ experience-level and program’s approach
All formats are welcomed and determined by provider (e.g., in-person, virtual, blended)
Appropriate supervision required
Faculty size and compositions are up to you (just one lead faculty or co-leads or one lead and one support, etc.)
Lead Faculty:
Support Faculty (Optional):
WABC will grant some leeway in relation to Support Faculty who do not quite reach the necessary requirements if appropriate monitoring and supervision provided by Lead Faculty.
This level is guided by a suite of standards developed by WABC
The WABC Accredited global mark is the product of widespread research, industry consultation, development and testing. As an evidence-based mark, it undergoes annual and three- to five-year reviews to ensure that it remains relevant and continues to set the highest global standards for all training programs with this mark.
To earn WABC Accredited (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach), you must meet these requirements:
**If your program is brand new, or requires significant changes to meet WABC’s standards, you can still begin the WABC Program Accreditation Process and then run your “pilot program” during your process. Once your pilot is completed, then the assessment of your program occurs.
The value of the WABC Accredited mark is not just born from the standards that inform it, but also from the evaluative processes that lead to it. At WABC, we take very seriously the need to accomplish two goals for the benefit of all stakeholders:
WABC strikes the right balance towards realizing those two distinct goals through the creation of WABC standing committees—the WABC Accreditation & Credentialing Team, and three supporting WABC Accredited Decision Boards: WABC Accredited Assessment Board, WABC Accredited Award Board and WABC Accredited Appeal Board.
The team and boards are comprised of highly skilled experts who are passionate about leader-as-coach coaching and serving our community. They are accountable to strictly uphold WABC’s global evidence-based standards and accreditation best practice.
The purpose of all standing committees is to:
Ultimately, WABC maintains oversight of its standards and safeguards the program accreditation process, while simultaneously enabling experts to independently carry out program accreditation related activities. Taken altogether, this thoughtfully considered and balanced-approach raises the quality, credibility and profile of leader-as-coach coaching worldwide to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Being the best means renewing relevance and status in our global marketplace
As a WABC Accredited (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach) Program, you will safeguard your accreditation by meeting various provider’s responsibilities over the course of your three-year process lifecycle—from initial accreditation through annual monitoring to re-accreditation.
WABC can revoke accreditation at any time if a provider is reported or considered to be conducting their program in an unprofessional or unethical manner, not in accordance with the accreditation standards or in any other way that will bring WABC or leader-as-coach coaching into disrepute. Additionally, other adverse statuses can be issued (e.g., suspension, probation) if certain circumstances arise and require such an action be taken. In serious cases or when revocation occurs, you will no longer be able to use the WABC Accredited mark and you must remove all references to it, including badges, from your marketing, promotional and other material.
The WABC Accredited (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach) mark must be listed in a specific way. Please log in to your dashboard for further guidance and access to your WABC Accredited Promo Package.
WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Accredited (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach) Standards, including the right to change, replace or discontinue.
WABC Accredited (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach) global mark is a program accreditation distinction that ensures you’re offering the most comprehensive and robust leader-as-coach training available in the world.
Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach programs develop leaders-as-coaches who represent many professional roles (e.g., leader, manager, supervisor). Such programs focus on developing core coaching skills within the context of a leadership role and are for participants who either have had little or no previous experience with coaching, or who already have some leader-as-coach coaching experience that they now wish to consolidate fully with best practice. We identify practice in this context to be the application of coaching skills, with appropriate recognition of the imbalance of power held by them and individual team members, with the goal of supporting the development and empowerment of others and improving performance in the delivery of strategic business and organizational goals and objectives.
Successful participants of these programs receive a “Certificate of Program Completion.” The certificate is issued by the training provider.
WABC Accredited (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach):
WABC Accredited, as a program accreditation qualification, is the most rigorous level of qualification available to programs by an external accreditor. Program accreditation processes that follow industry best practice ensure their accredited programs require validation, carry re-accreditation requirements and are subject to revocation. WABC Accredited adheres to these best practices.
The WABC Accredited mark is awarded by WABC, a global accrediting body headquartered in Canada.
You’re an ideal candidate for WABC Accredited (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach) if your program meets the following profile.
As such, this level of program accreditation is only available to training programs that offer leader-as-coach coaching as the main focus of their curriculum. This means 100% of the learning hours within the program must be focused on the practice, theory and/or research of leader-as-coach coaching.
Even if your program is brand new, or requires significant changes to meet WABC’s standards, you’ll most likely be eligible to register in our WABC Program Accreditation Process.
When you screen your participants you’ll ensure they meet this profile
Option: Full Length
Duration: 2–4 months*
Hours: 25–35*
*Some variability expected based on participants’ experience-level and program’s approach
All formats are welcomed and determined by provider (e.g., in-person, virtual, blended)
Appropriate supervision required
Faculty size and compositions are up to you (just one lead faculty or co-leads or one lead and one support, etc.)
Lead Faculty:
Support Faculty (Optional):
WABC will grant some leeway in relation to Support Faculty who do not quite reach the necessary requirements if appropriate monitoring and supervision provided by Lead Faculty.
This level is guided by a suite of standards developed by WABC
The WABC Accredited global mark is the product of widespread research, industry consultation, development and testing. As an evidence-based mark, it undergoes annual and three- to five-year reviews to ensure that it remains relevant and continues to set the highest global standards for all training programs with this mark.
To earn WABC Accredited (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach), you must meet these requirements:
**If your program is brand new, or requires significant changes to meet WABC’s standards, you can still begin the WABC Program Accreditation Process and then run your “pilot program” during your process. Once your pilot is completed, then the assessment of your program occurs.
The value of the WABC Accredited mark is not just born from the standards that inform it, but also from the evaluative processes that lead to it. At WABC, we take very seriously the need to accomplish two goals for the benefit of all stakeholders:
WABC strikes the right balance towards realizing those two distinct goals through the creation of WABC standing committees—the WABC Accreditation & Credentialing Team, and three supporting WABC Accredited Decision Boards: WABC Accredited Assessment Board, WABC Accredited Award Board and WABC Accredited Appeal Board.
The team and boards are comprised of highly skilled experts who are passionate about leader-as-coach coaching and serving our community. They are accountable to strictly uphold WABC’s global evidence-based standards and accreditation best practice.
The purpose of all standing committees is to:
Ultimately, WABC maintains oversight of its standards and safeguards the program accreditation process, while simultaneously enabling experts to independently carry out program accreditation related activities. Taken altogether, this thoughtfully considered and balanced-approach raises the quality, credibility and profile of leader-as-coach coaching worldwide to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Being the best means renewing relevance and status in our global marketplace
As a WABC Accredited (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach) Program, you will safeguard your accreditation by meeting various provider’s responsibilities over the course of your three-year process lifecycle—from initial accreditation through annual monitoring to re-accreditation.
WABC can revoke accreditation at any time if a provider is reported or considered to be conducting their program in an unprofessional or unethical manner, not in accordance with the accreditation standards or in any other way that will bring WABC or leader-as-coach coaching into disrepute. Additionally, other adverse statuses can be issued (e.g., suspension, probation) if certain circumstances arise and require such an action be taken. In serious cases or when revocation occurs, you will no longer be able to use the WABC Accredited mark and you must remove all references to it, including badges, from your marketing, promotional and other material.
The WABC Accredited (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach) mark must be listed in a specific way. Please log in to your dashboard for further guidance and access to your WABC Accredited Promo Package.
WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Accredited (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach) Standards, including the right to change, replace or discontinue.
WABC Certified Leader-as-Coach (CLAC) is a highly respected global credential designed for leaders-as-coaches at certified-level.
Those pursuing CLAC are professionals within a leadership role who either have had little or no previous experience with coaching, or who already have some leader-as-coach coaching experience that they now wish to consolidate fully with best practice.
Leaders-as-coaches at this level are expected to apply coaching skills, with appropriate recognition of the imbalance of power held by them and individual team members, with the goal of supporting the development, empowerment and accountability of others and improving performance in the delivery of strategic business and organizational goals and objectives.
CLAC:
CLAC is an independent, evidence-based credential that carries re-certification requirements (no prerequisite credential required*).
*NOTE: Each WABC credential is intended to be a stand-alone credential, which enables you to choose the credential that is right for your professional role, previous coaching experience, skill level, ambition, goals and client and employer needs at any point in your career. Our non-linear approach is purposefully designed to offer flexible and responsive learning options and credentials.
CLAC is awarded by WABC, a global accrediting body headquartered in Canada.
You are an ideal candidate for CLAC if:
All candidates are seeking to develop effective coaching techniques for use in developing, leading, managing or supervising others as part of their role within an organization.
To earn CLAC, you must meet these requirements:
As a CLAC, you must:
CLAC can be revoked under certain circumstances. Examples include not meeting the re-certification requirements or being cited for a legal or ethical violation. If your CLAC credential is revoked, you will no longer be able to use the credential and you must remove all references to it, including badges, from marketing, promotional and other materials in your control (e.g., your website, résumé, signature block, LinkedIn).
The WABC Certified Leader-as-Coach (CLAC) credential must be listed in a specific way. Please log in to your dashboard for further guidance and access to your CLAC Promo Package.
WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Certified Leader-as-Coach (CLAC) Standards, including the right to change, replace or discontinue.
