Welcome back to our three-part Encourage Your Brain series highlighting my recent MCC (Master Certified Coach) credentialing journey. Today, we’re concluding this series by exploring the Performance Evaluation portion of the ICF Credentialing Exam. Before we jump in, here’s a recap of what we covered in the first two segments.
In part one, Achieving an ICF Milestone: Susan’s Journey to Becoming an MCC, I shared insights about:
- Navigating setbacks along the way and turning them into lessons of resilience
- How I used the Why as a stepping stone to keep going in my pursuit
- The importance of having an amazing community to support you on your journey
In part two, Conquering the ICF Credentialing Exam: Navigating Setbacks, I shared insights about:
- Demystifying the ICF Credentialing Exam Logistics: What to Expect on Exam Day
- The setbacks I experienced (and how I overcame them) while taking the ICF Credentialing Exam
- Overcoming Red Zone (Fight-Flight) emotions and returning to Blue Zone (Flow-Flourish) emotions
- The Joy of Passing: Valuable Insights from the Other Side
If you missed the first two articles in this series, I encourage you to read them before jumping into today’s concluding segment.
The MCC Credentialing Process: A High-Stakes Audio Performance Evaluation
As you may know, the MCC Credentialing process requires applicants to pass a rigorous and challenging ICF Performance Evaluation, where you must submit two audio recordings of coaching sessions that an independent ICF Assessor will evaluate. These two audio recordings must pass at very high levels for applicants to be awarded the MCC Credential based on the ICF’s MCC minimum skill requirements.
ICF Performance Evaluations: If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again
When I sent in the first two audio recordings, I had a feeling one was a sure thing and it would pass, while I was uncertain about the other. To speed things up, I submitted them both to the queue, knowing it would take some time — and I’m glad I did. It took about eight months from the time I submitted them to get set up in the system. I knew if one or both didn’t pass, I could resubmit with quicker scoring since I was already in the system. Not long after, I found out one passed and the other didn’t, which wasn’t a surprise.
When the second audio didn’t pass, I thought, “No problem, I’ll just keep recording, keep working at it, and keep getting feedback from my mentors. Then, I’ll go ahead and submit another audio.”
So, I submitted a second audio, thinking this would be the one because my mentors had listened to it and we thought for sure it would pass. Well, about six weeks later, I got an email saying it didn’t pass.
This was probably the lowest point for me during the entire MCC journey. I thought I was for sure going to pass, my mentors and other supporters thought I would pass, and yet, I didn’t. But then I learned from other colleagues who had similar experiences that it’s not that unusual for the first few audio submissions not to pass. While this provided some relief, I still needed to pass both Audio Performance Evaluations to earn my MCC Credential.
Confronting Imposter Syndrome: Navigating Self-Doubt
During this phase, doubts of impostor syndrome crept in, making me ponder, “Will I ever make it?”
As I weighed the time spent on additional recordings, evaluations, and receiving feedback, I realized the magnitude of the process. My utmost respect goes to all of you who are striving for top-notch audios in your own performance evaluations.
Though grappling with impostor syndrome, I sought solace in my tribe, the supportive community that propelled me forward throughout this whole process. Their unwavering encouragement made all the difference, and if it hadn’t been for them, it would have been hard to keep going.
Finally, after overcoming these hurdles and feelings of imposter syndrome, I submitted another audio, to which I received a green light. I had officially passed!
Finding Encouragement and Inspiration on Your Journey
If you resonate with the challenges I encountered in your own ICF credentialing journey during the ICF Performance Evaluations, please remember…
You’re Not Alone!
If you can relate and wish to connect with me to get some insights or ideas, chat, or even share stories, feel free to reach out! I’m here to support you where I can. You can find me on LinkedIn or at The Academies. I’m here to be a beacon for you in your journey just as so many others have been for me.
Finally, in recognizing that this is a journey, my heart and mind are with you.
If you’re looking to achieve that next-level credential, keep going! Here are a few tips to keep in mind on your path to an ICF credential:
- Surround yourself with the people who matter.
- Remember why you’re doing it.
- Find the next right step for you.
Sometimes, the next right step is to hit pause for a bit, collect yourself, and then figure out what the next right step is!
I’m with you on your journey!
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