The Coaches Training Institutes (CTI) Genesis

CTI's founders and Thomas Leonard were in an early collaboration that dated the very beginning of coaching as an industry. The two parties eventually parted ways, with Thomas Leonard starting Coach U and our founders starting the Coaches Training Institute (CTI). CTI became the very first organization accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Our founders' involvement with the coaching industry and ICF from its very inception has resulted in a significant influence on the industry, including much of the framework adapted by the ICF to represent coaching competencies. Throughout our history, what has differentiated us is a belief that both the being and doing of coaching are equally important and a stubborn refusal to offer shortcut, cookie-cutter menus and techniques for "doing" coaching. Our coach trainings have been held primarily in person because we believe that coaches must experience a rigorous and challenging personal experience with a great deal of real and hands on practice, which is only possible in person. We have also conducted all our workshops with two co-leaders, with a small class size, to ensure the personal attention and individualization of the experience that allows each coach to find his/her own unique voice and style.

CTI's Co-Active Coaching book has been an industry best seller since its publication and is often used as text or reference book in coaching programs. We believe in the importance of both the solid and rigorous framework of Co-Active coaching, and the rigorous in person process of deeply understanding it is not in one's head, but in one's whole being. This is analogous to the difference between reading or talking about the best academic book on the physical laws of balancing a bicycle, versus actually experiencing balancing a bicycle in action.

The enthusiasm and ensuing positive word of mouth of our graduates has enabled us to become the largest coach training organization in the world*. We believe our industry is still only in its infancy and that huge opportunities for significant impact on our world are still ahead.

*Based on revenue numbers