Dwight is a speaker, coach, facilitator, and host of Community and Becoming For the Love of Creatives podcast who helps creative leaders quiet self-doubt so they can reclaim their authentic voice and take up space. Website, LinkedIn
After losing his partner of 20 years, Dwight Spencer began searching for work that offered more meaning and purpose. That search led him to Coach Training Alliance, where he found practical coaching skills, valuable relationships, and a path toward rebuilding both personally and professionally.
In this interview, Dwight shares his honest certification experience, including why he chose Coach Training Alliance, the challenges he faced, and how the journey helped him become more open, curious, and comfortable with uncertainty.
What led you to consider getting a coaching certification?
Losing a partner of 20 years to advanced liver disease forced me to take a deep look inward. None of the roles I wore before fit quite the same anymore. Grief robbed me of the transactional lens I needed to view the world from to be the go-to consultant for the software company where I worked. I craved more meaning and purpose beyond what could be measured in a quarterly results presentation.
It was after finding glimpses of the deeper meaning I craved in the training I found at Coach Training Alliance, the xchange Approach, and other sources that I was guided down a path that would lead me to pursue further certifications from the International Coaches Federation and membership in my local chapter of the National Speakers Association.
What mattered most to you when choosing a certification program?
While budget and accreditation were factors in my choice to enroll at Coach Training Alliance, I was most persuaded by its reputation for providing its students with practical guidance on building a business. I tried to do my due diligence as a consumer and sought out guidance from as many sources as I could find.
In addition to third-party published reviews and comparison articles, I asked several coaches what they liked about their programs. Some were on staff at iPEC, CoActive, and other schools. I read and studied as much as I could before, during, and after I had committed to my initial coach training program, and I was satisfied that I made the best decision for me at the time.
What helped you decide which certification to pursue?
I had been following Rhonda Hess, the former host of the Prosperous Coach podcast, and knew that she had developed the material for the coursework still used by the school today. Her inner light and positive way of sharing what she knew was the nudge I needed to make a choice.
Over time, I had many opportunities to look back on my choice, and I am satisfied I made the one that was correct for me at the time. I have been courted by salesmen from iPEC. I have attended a four-day Brendan Burchard event that contained multiple invitations to enroll in his Certified High Performance Coach program. I have relationships with coaches who trained at Mind Valley, CoActive, and other programs. There is an element of fit that is simply individual.
Which certification program did you choose, and why?
My choice to go with the Coach Training Alliance coach certification was because they did a great job of letting me know what to expect. They required that I attend an enrollment call before I could apply, and I am glad they did. It allowed me to get a feel for who they were and to show up fully as myself. Lisa Pisano was an excellent host and showed up with curiosity and grace.
Share your honest experience with the program.
My cohort had some serious friction between the instructor and one student. The instructor was masterful at steering what could have ended horribly into a learning opportunity. Dave Krueger, MD, managed sensitive issues with skill and guided our whole cohort through our coursework. Dr. Krueger, CEO Chris Osborn, and Lisa Pisano created a safe container and managed what could have derailed the program for our cohort. I remain in contact with some people from my class today, and we can appreciate how we all grew from that early challenge.
Have you done more than one certification? If so, why?
My initial certification formally introduced me to the coaching concepts. I currently hold the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation, and I am working on an xchange Guide Certification Program.
Was there anything that surprised you about the certification process?
I was pleasantly surprised by how most certification programs work hard to make sure you know what to expect. That has become an important factor for me in choosing whether to engage in a program.
Share one win or story that stands out in your experience of getting certified.
The biggest wins from any certification program are found in the relationships that are formed.
Overall, how have you and/or your coaching practice changed since certification?
Over the course of my training and since my certification, I have grown. A big part of my development was defined by finding myself as a result of processing grief while keeping up with what was required of demanding roles at work and dealing with all the administrative details that come with tending to the affairs of an estate. I have learned that one way I have changed is by growing in openness and curiosity. I have less of a need for cognitive closure and can embrace the ambiguity and possibility that life is made of.
What tangible, measurable results have you seen since certifying?
Since certifying, I have grown more comfortable with meeting strangers. I can appreciate that as an independent business owner, everyone I meet is a prospect or a referral partner. I have had more interesting conversations and grown as a result.
Do you feel your certification was worth the investment? Why or why not?
My certifications were worth the investment for me. There is a limitless number of certifications and programs available, and I believe it is worth the effort to find the ones that are the right fit.
I embrace every opportunity to engage with my local chapters of the International Coaching Federation and National Speakers Association because I value the bonds I get to forge with the people in those organizations. My certifications led me to those organizations and others, along with exposing me to some lessons that would have been much harder to internalize on my own.
Do you have any regrets about certifying? Any negative experiences, or advice on how to avoid them?
There were times when the certification journey was marked by sacrifice, but I would not trade any of it. I learned to endure some challenges, and I made it to the other side.
If you could go back, would you choose the same certification again? Why or why not?
I may or may not have chosen the same path for my training. There were aspects of my mentor coaching that were required to qualify to take the exam for the ACC that were not ideal. That had more to do with juggling the overlap in scheduled meeting times and a demanding workload. I could recognize that others who were in my cohort grew at a rate faster than I could at the time because they benefited from greater reflection and more opportunities to practice.
Are there any certification programs you recommend?
The ICF provides a listing of all approved programs on their site, and any that are on that list are worthy of consideration. Before considering any program, it is important to take an inventory of your expected outcomes and to be realistic about how much of your time and attention you are willing to invest.
What do you wish you’d known, thought of, or asked yourself before choosing a certification?
I wish I knew how much of the work would involve internal reflection. I am sure some programs exist that just check the boxes, but most of the coaches I have worked with have spent time getting comfortable looking into themselves and getting comfortable sitting with questions and not searching for answers. Society at large seems to run counter to that way of being because the world has become obsessed with pursuing instant answers. I have grown to appreciate how coaching involves being willing to ponder possibility and to abhor absolutes.
What tips or advice would you give to someone who’s considering getting certified?
Do not pursue a certification program until you are ready. It is incumbent on you to bring your full effort and attention to extract the greatest value from any program.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your certification experience?
There are those who choose to remain outside of the certification filter. I respect their views, but I can appreciate there is a way to approach certifications in a way that expands your comfort zone.
Conclusion
For Dwight, certification became a journey of growth during a difficult period of his life. The training introduced him to coaching, strengthened his ability to connect with others, and helped him embrace reflection, curiosity, and possibility.
His story is also a reminder that the right program depends on your goals, circumstances, and readiness to fully commit. If you’re considering certification, check out Coach Training Alliance’s ICF-accredited certification program. Or, take our coaching certification quiz and search our database of coach training programs to find one that fits your vision, budget, and goals.
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