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Ton de Graaf is an Executive coach and works with executives and senior managers in Fortune 100 and Global 500 companies. He is also the General Manager of Praesta International Limited (London) , an Executive Coaching Firm with more than 100 coaches working across 12 countries and 9 language areas. All coaches have been succesful C-level executives, Presidents, Vice-Presidents or Directors of International companies before they choose to become Executive Coaches at Praesta.
The Most Advanced Credential for Senior Business Coaches
Ton is one of the very few coaches in the world who is designated by the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches as a Chartered Business Coach™ (ChBC™) after a vigorous and independent assessment conducted by the Middlesex University and the Professional Development Foundation in the UK.
Business coaches at this level are accountable for critical analysis, diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation. They exercise substantial personal autonomy and show significant influence and leadership within their organization, the profession or academic settings. Chartered status tells the wider community that a business coach has the highest level of specialized subject knowledge and professional competence.
The ChBC designation recognizes the experienced practicing business coach who has demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of business coaching, significant personal achievements in the field, professionalism and leadership in the workplace, and a commitment to maintaining expertise through continuing professional development. The ChBC is a stand-alone credential and the highest level of certification in the world today.
From the press release:
The Worldwide Association of Business Coaches (WABC) has awarded Ton de Graaf of the Netherlands, the prestigious Chartered Business Coach designation. This international credential, the first ever chartered-status designation for business coaches and the industry’s most advanced credential, is reserved for the world’s most senior coaches. Chartered Business Coaches have completed the WABC Accredited (Chartered Level) program and have achieved a record of excellence and leadership in their field.
Wendy Johnson, WABC president and chief executive officer, comments, “The Chartered Business Coach designation is as good as it gets. This credential singles out the world’s top business coaches, the ones who have the most experience, skills and training. A Chartered Business Coach is at the pinnacle of our emerging profession—a leader, an influencer, an example to us all.”
Ton started his professional career in the Military where he worked with the Royal Dutch Military Police and The Royal Dutch Airforce as a Captain. In the early nineties he entered the corporate world as a change manager, interim manager and Human Resources Development Executive before he started his own practice as an Executive and Business Coach.
He was a member of the WABC 2005-06 International Certification Program Expert Panel and is currently Board member of the WABC International Accreditation Program. The Middlesex University and Professional Development Foundation (PDF) in the UK are the assement bodies for the accreditation of coach training institutes, schools and academies around the world. The WABC has established the Board to support it in its responsibilities regarding
Ton studied Organizational and Labour Psychology, Professional Development, Psycho-social therapy and Business coaching. Ton is a no-nonsense kind of guy with a great sense of humor. He faces challenges with a smile, knowing that there always is an answer and a solution.
He lives in the Netherlands with his wife and two sons.
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Lydia Beaufort
Canada
I look forward to building an amazing "Coaching Practice" now that I have the tools to lead me to success.
Darlene Swanson
New Zealand
What students of the International Coach Academy say about Ton de Graaf:
I was so impressed with Ton’s teaching style and the way the class flowed. It was a great way to start my journey as a coach.
Darlene M.
It was so terrific to hear your ideas about our "world of abundance" and the class was filled with ideas and useful tidbits and resources. Thank you for this and for all of the extra time you gave us.
Iris F.
When you were talking today, it really hit me the magnitude of responsibility we have in coaching. Not just to the clients, but to the coaching profession as well as to the world as a whole. That everything we do within a coaching session impacts not just the client, but absolutely everyone and everything on the planet. And, just how important it is to integrate all the ethics of coaching so as to not tarnish a profession that is still in its infancy and so easily damaged.
I am most humbled.
Thanks, Ton.
Barbara T.
…..not just good content with respect to theory, but excellent real-life information as well.
Curt V.
Great coach trainer. Always a pleasure to attend his classes where he provides both practical knowledge and insight into the professional of coaching.
Elizabeth E.
Ton is a fabulous teacher and presents many insights into coaching.
Sandra D.
I really enjoy your classes and I love your way of coaching.
Olivia T.
Dear Ton,
I have been so impressed with your classes … Thank you for leading us to meaningful and useful conclusions in all of your classes. Your input is always enlightening. You are an exceptionally gifted coach.
Antonia G.
Ton’s passion for coaching rang through in every word. We heard his story of how he came to this field and he told us his understanding of what it means to coach others. Here are few of his gems:
"A great coach suspends judgment, is focused on the future and is all about action -- the coachee taking action and moving forward in change."
"It starts with your heart and soul."
"People come to you because they are stuck and cannot move forward. We teach them how to change. We do not give advice, they know the path that is right for them. We ask questions that help them clarify their own values and we form honest and sincere relationships. We show genuine, disinterested interest that allows them the space to become aware and change perspectives."
What to look for in a client? Eagerness for a positive change in their life and wanting help to get there. Coachee has to be committed to change.
Coaches give straightforward and clear feedback in order for you to take action, take responsibility and control of your life.
Coaching is not: Therapy, consulting, mentoring, friendship.
Elizabeth E.
Hi Ton,
Thank you for all of the wisdom and incredible patience and gentle guidance that you provide with all of your comments and responses.
I have learned so much in your classes and I love the way you handle the business side of the learning scale with keeping the focus off money and onto coaching. I also noticed, in my last class with you, how you included everyone and I felt there was greater participation with the group. Thank you for all of the recognition that you give not only to me but to all who are in your classes. You are a wonderful teacher.
Sandra D.
Ton,
I have been enjoying your sessions immensely. I feel that my niche is executive coaching as well and so I am always very interested when you speak about your experiences.
Janet T.
Hi Ton,
I felt honored and personally motivated by the passion with which you shared your vision for coaching with us in class today.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Julia F.
So this underlying commitment that we discovered in class has changed my life 100% and I am totally blessed and thankful. It was so cool having you as the trainer….
Katrina B.
You are a very effective teacher and I look forward to many more classes with you. Thank you :) I want to thank you for such a wonderful learning experience. I learned SO much!!! Most of all I learned that when am really driven by the urge to help my client, I lose sight of coaching and go into "advice mode". What a powerful learning insight to bring with me the next time I coach!
Claudia M.
You are a very warm and engaging facilitator. I look forward to have more teleclasses with you.
Ligia H.
I've enjoyed the Coaching classes very much and I hope I will have further opportunities to work with you in other classes. You have a clear and concise presentation that is very helpful. Thanks!
Bob V.
…..I thanked you for your affirming remarks that we are all coaches... that's how we got here! I just want to reiterate that thank you. It was one of the most impactful remarks I've heard so far in my training. I had been struggling with "when do I feel I have enough 'background / education to begin coaching?" There is so much to learn, and I think I was forgetting that I do already have a good skill set.
Your comments provided me with the 'ah ha' moment of "of course, you can start.. you've been doing this forever, already!"
Thanks again!
Janet W.
