Interview with Maria Isabel Valle – Global Executive Coach Spain

After enrolling with ICA just over two years ago, I recently graduated in the Advanced Coach Training Program. The experience has exceeded all my expectations.

Originally from Spain, I have lived in many countries around the world and worked in Executive positions within the hospitality industry. Although my role managing hotels was challenging and enjoyable, I was always left wondering what else there was out there that could give me the level of professional satisfaction I wanted. I knew I was passionate about helping people succeed, but I couldn’t find the industry at the time that would allow me to pursue my passion. I tried counselling and psychology studies, but I knew I didn’t want to help people become functional in life, I wanted to help people live rewarding and satisfying lives. After completing some career profiling and doing some research on the internet I found coaching, and instantly I just knew it ticked all the boxes. I researched all the different coaching schools and programs, but I kept coming back to ICA.

When my husband and I decided to move to South East Asia to work and live as expats, I decided to sign up with ICA. The main reasons why I chose ICA was because it was an ICF accredited coach training school, the program was an online virtual environment that allowed me to complete my studies from home (I live in a remote area of the Borneo jungle and had two small children). The material was easy to follow, and learning at your own pace was promoted throughout, with complete flexibility, and they really encouraged you to find your own coaching style and individuality, which was really important to me. And of course ICA has a global community of coaches from all over the world, which has made the experience a lot more enjoyable. Finally, I found ICA was real value for money.

My first week with ICA was very daunting, but straight away I was offered people to guide me through the process, ongoing induction calls, you could ask and raise any questions or doubts to your lecturers, and the forum was such a great tool, being able to provide feedback or get answers to any of my many questions by both lecturers and students alike. I was taught how to direct my learning and was given substantial business advice on setting up a practise, which has been invaluable in being able to finish my studies and launch my coaching company straight away.

What I also really enjoyed about ICA was the Peer coaching and the Supervised coaching options; it allowed me to put in plenty of practise, and was given so much feedback and validation throughout that helped me build my confidence as a competent coach. There is such a strong sense of community, despite the fact that the lessons are conducted virtually, it is very easy to create a network of like-minded people from all walks of life, anywhere in the world, which again is of such value in today’s global times. The lecturers where the friendliest, most encouraging group of individuals I have ever come across in my academic life; they make you feel like an equal peer throughout, and make you feel at complete ease in your interactions.

Doing the Advanced Coach Training Program option allowed me to go deeper into my coaching ability and provided me with a deeper and more valuable skill base and enhanced confidence overall to be able to operate as a coach.

Today I am a transformed individual. On a personal note, I live my life with passion and I am reaching personal levels I never thought possible.

Professionally, I have created my own company, Global Room, where I coach Executives, Leaders and Expatriates for Growth and Success. Living in a small country, in Brunei Darussalam, has not affected or limited my ability to get clients. I have made it my mission to bring awareness about coaching in this country, and have conducted many talks about the subject in schools and other organizations. The response has been overwhelming. There is such a need for coaching services, and being able to change people’s lives with my direct interaction has given me the satisfaction I was seeking. There is nothing more rewarding than helping others improve their personal and professional lives, and helping them create the life they want.

Isabel Valle
Global Room