We are in the coaching profession; We represent coaching and coach education and training to the public. Therefore it is our responsibility to use the correct language about who we are. This dictionary clarifies many common terms often misunderstood or misspoken.
This dictionary includes:
- Coaching Associations. SUN is aligned with (ICF – International Coaching Federation and ACTO – Association of Coaches and Coach Training Organizations)
- Roles in Success Unlimited Network (SUN) – Educator/ Trainers, Graduates, Participants in our programs
- ICF credential levels of mastery for individuals (ACC, PCC, MCC), and programs (Level 1 – (60 hours – ACC credential path) and Level 2 (125 hours – PCC credential path) that are accredited
- Those who support our continuing development as coaches (mentors and supervisors)
International Coaching Federation (ICF), is the world-wide professional coaching organization that awarded accreditation to the SUN 125-hour Coach Training and Certification Program in 2000 and this esteemed accreditation is in force to the present. ICF mission – ICF exists to lead the global advancement of the coaching profession. ICF definition of coaching is: partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. https://coachingfederation.org/ethics/code-of-ethics
ICF Values are: Professionalism, Collaboration, Humanity and Equity
Association of Coaches and Coach Training Organizations (ACTO) is a community of professionals who bring coach training to aspiring coaches around the world – to create the future of the coaching profession. ACTO Values are: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, Intellectual Property, Accountability, Transparency, Stakeholder awareness, Ethics and Respect, Cultural awareness and engaged relationships and Fostering a spirit of “cooperation”
ROLES in Success Unlimited Network (SUN)
Educators instruct about the SUN materials and have completed a 3-year SUN Coach Educator program including being mentored while educating 3 students until they graduate as a Certified SUN Coach. The Educators are the community of support and guidance for SUN. There are different levels in the career ladder of being a SUN Educator depending upon number of years of SUN experience, number of graduates, contribution to the profession and service to the planet, etc. They are in order of seniority: Master SUN Coach Educator, Experienced SUN Coach Educator with at least 8 years SUN educating experience, full SUN Coach Educator and those who are on the path to being a SUN Educator. There are 7 active SUN Educators around the globe as of November, 2025. Since the beginning of SUN we have had 16 additional ones who spun off and created their own programs, passed away or retired.
Certified SUN Coaches have graduated from the ICF-accredited 125-hours SUN Coach Education and Certification Program (Level 2) and have been mentored while coaching 3+ clients. Some SUN coaches went through our Advanced SUN Coach program (now called The SUN Path). These coaches already have certification from an ICF accredited program and a PCC credential and want to become part of SUN. The Advanced program takes them through the experience of using our SUN methodology and included mentoring with 3 clients using the SUN mindset and approach. As of November, 2025, SUN graduated 332 Level 2 Certified coaches and 31 Level 1. A very high % are credentialed.
Participants (formerly called CITs Coaches-in-Training) are coaches studying and experiencing any one of the SUN programs: Level 2 (125 hours), Level 1 (60 hours).
CERTIFIED COACH
Upon graduation from a school or program you receive a certificate. This certificate is given when you have successfully completed our education, including mentoring of your 1st 3 clients. It is a step on the path towards a credential.
CREDENTIALED COACH
A credential is given by an association such as ICF and requires:
- Education (Level 1= 60 hours); (Level 2= 125 hours); (Level 3= 200 hours)
- Coaching experience (a minimum number of hours coaching clients) ACC=100, PCC = 500, MCC = 2500
- Number of clients ACC= 8; PCC = 25; MCC = 35
- Mentoring – 10 hours included in the certification
- Passing the proctored ICF Credentialing Exam, on-line or in person. Only taken once
ACC = Associate Certified Coach
PCC = Professional Certified Coach
MCC = Master Certified Coach
To comply with the education and mentoring requirement, SUN graduates need to provide ICF with your SUN certificate of completion. As part of our curriculum we require that you work with at least 3 clients, and accrue some coaching experience. How much more is up to you.
ACCREDITED SCHOOL
SUN is an accredited educational organization with two main Programs: Level 1, a program that meets the ICF professional standards of 60 hours of coach education and Level 2 with 125 hours of coach-specific education. Our Educators, curriculum, methodology, etc. have undergone close scrutiny to ensure that we meet or surpass all standards.
APPROVED EDUCATION
There is another form of ICF approval for education.
CCE (Continuing Coach Education) credits are awarded to ICF-approved programs with 1-30 hours.
40 hours of CCEs are required every 3 years to maintain a credential – 3 of which must be in Ethics and 24 must have competency training.
COACH MENTORING (included in Level 1 and 2 education)
Mentor Coaching for an ICF Credential consists of coaching, observation and feedback in a collaborative, appreciative and dialogued process based on an observed or recorded coaching meeting to increase the coach’s competency in coaching, in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies.
COACHING SUPERVISION is a collaborative learning practice to continually build the capacity of the coach through reflective dialogue for the benefit of both coaches and clients. It focuses on the development of the coach’s capacity through offering a richer and broader opportunity for support and development. Coaching Supervision creates a safe environment for the coach to share their successes and failures in becoming masterful in the way they work with their clients.
A PROFESSIONAL COACHING RELATIONSHIP includes a contract/agreement defining responsibilities between client and coach (and sponsor if appropriate), such as a 3rd party involved in arranging/paying for services, e.g., a boss or HR Department in business or a parent/surrogate that spans at least 3 months.
CoP = Community of Practice = selected areas of focus to meet with colleagues who share those interests, e.g., Ethics, AI, Team Coaching, Coaching in Business, Spirituality in Coaching, etc….
ETHICS vs LAWS
Ethics are rules that identify minimal standards of conduct created by a profession (coaching), credentialing organizations (e.g., ICF), and Professional Membership Organizations (e.g., ICF).
Laws are created, adopted and enforced by governmental bodies (legislators and elected officials) to protect the public by defining who can provide services and have a title.
ICE = Interpretations and Considerations of the ICF Code = examples and explanations of our Code of Ethics language
DEIB = diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging
LGBTQ = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer
BIPOC = Black, indigenous persons of color