About Gord Aker

So who is Gord Aker? Humorous, insightful, intelligent and compassionate are words my clients have used to describe me and my coaching. I focus on creating a safe place where people are comfortable in being authentic and open to exploring different perspectives.

I have been trained in my coaching skills by the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and have been certified as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach or CPCC. I also have an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coach Federation (ICF). All of this essentially boils down to the fact that I am a well trained coach and that I take my work and profession very seriously.

I have over 12 years of organizational leadership experience at both the front line and senior leadership level. I have also had the privilege of serving as the President of the Calgary Association of Professional Coaches (CAPC) in 2009.

I have been married to my wife for over 22 years and have two awesome teenage kids and a dog (who is pretty cool in his own right). We live in Calgary Alberta and I have had the pleasure of coaching individuals from all over the world.

How to Hire an Executive Coach

Selecting the right coach can be a daunting task. Here are some of the things that I recommend you look for:

Hire an ICF Credentialed Coach. Almost anyone can call themselves a coach these days and many are calling themselves "certified" having completed nothing more than a basic coach training program. The ICF standards are among the most widely recognized in the world and are independent of any coaching school or training program. I hold the ACC credential from the ICF and was President of the Calgary ICF Chapter in 2009. I completed my coach training through the Coaches Training Institute and regularly engage in personal development activities to keep my skills current.
Look for Relevant Experience. It is important that you and your coach develop a strong, trust based relationship. Making sure your coach has a relevant background for what you are looking for in a coaching relationship encourages trust, accelerates learning and provides a strong foundation for a productive relationship. I have over 12 years of organizational leadership experience, and over 25 years of business experience. I am on my fourth career and have worked with clients ranging from university student leaders through to the Presidents of multi-million dollar corporations.
Honestly Assess Fit.Most coaches will agree that the most important criterion in selecting a coach is relationship fit or compatibility. What is the coach's style? How long have they been coaching? How open, authentic and confident are they in providing their service? Decide what is really important to you in the coaching relationship and then use that as a starting point. My clients tell me that I am insightful, reflective and courageous in my coaching and that I have a great sense of humour. Most of my clients come from referrals.