Tom DiGiovanni, PCC

The ICF Portfolio Path is an alternative credentialing route for coaches whose learning and practice haven’t followed a single, formally accredited program. Because mastery rarely comes from one institution alone. It emerges through reflection. Through years of practice. And refining how you listen, respond, and trust yourself in the work. The Portfolio Path asks for ownership. Ownership of how you curate your learning. Ownership of how you refine your coaching presence. Ownership of submitting recordings that genuinely reflect MCC-level mastery. In my experience, this is where mentorship matters most. The Portfolio Path isn’t for everyone. It’s for coaches who’ve grown organically, who value depth over formality, and who want their credential to reflect how they actually practise, it can be a deeply aligned route. The Portfolio Path is less about proving something and more about inhabiting the craft more fully. If you’re exploring the MCC Portfolio Path, our next MCC Mentor Coaching Cohort begins in February 2026. DM me “MCC” and I’ll send you the details.

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Are you (or someone you know) facing an ICF PCC credential performance evaluation? My team and I have been assessing ICF performance evaluations since 2012, guiding leaders and coaches toward ACC, PCC, and MCC certification. So we've seen all the biggest mistakes, and worked to find simple ways to help. One of the biggest hurdles is the big leap from ACC to PCC. After more than a decade of listening to recorded coaching sessions, I’ve seen 4 simple shifts that make a real difference in passing PCC and set you up for MCC. If you or someone you know is preparing for PCC evaluations, these quick tips can help deepen your coaching sessions, which is exactly what ICF markers look for. When I worked toward my MCC, I remember how tough it was. Many coaches today feel the same overwhelm. It’s not you, the path really is challenging but also a worthy pursuit. That’s why I’m here: to make the process clearer and more supportive, so you can grow into the kind of coach you want to be. 👏

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🚀 Dive into strategic learning with Willie Pietersen as he shares insights from his journey from law to the C-suite, to academia at Columbia. Why did he choose "learning" over "management"? Find out in our latest episode! Also -- get ready to learn about "The Curse of Power." Watch the clip then catch the full episode here! It's jammed packed with golden nuggets of wisdom. https://lnkd.in/eFzEHGKf #Leadership #Strategy #power #leadershipbooks #leadershiplessons #interview #podcast #lifelonglearning #managementtips

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NEW RELEASE ALERT from CLA, Inc Releasing on Amazon 14 Jan.... The Courageous Minute Series just got even more powerful—with 5 NEW transformative guides designed for today’s evolving leaders. Each 100-page research-based development guide is packed with: ✅ Evidence-backed leadership frameworks ✅ Self-reflective observation prompts ✅ Individual & team-based exercises ✅ Ongoing coaching touchpoints ✅ Actionable learning models for immediate impact Why Continuous Learning Matters in Leadership: Leaders who engage in continuous development are 42% more likely to exceed performance goals Companies that foster continuous learning have 37% higher employee productivity Learning-centric teams report a 21% boost in innovation output These aren't just books—they're strategic blueprints for real-world transformation. Whether you’re a senior exec, team lead, or developing talent, these tools meet you right where you are. Barnesandnoble.com, Inc. Amplify Publishing Group HarperCollins Publishers Google for Publishers #CLA #LeadershipDevelopment #TheCourageousMinute #ExecutiveCoaching #ProfessionalGrowth #

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Even the most resilient leaders can fall into negative patterns of thinking. The PPP to CCC mindset reset is a simple but effective way to reframe tough moments. Start by identifying the real challenge, then ground yourself in your ability to act, and finally, recommit to what matters most. When you master this for yourself, you’re better equipped to help others shift their mindset too. #MicroResilienceTips #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipTools

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🧠 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥? At ICF Atlantic’s ELEVATE 2025 conference, I shared how sustainable change doesn’t start with goals, but begins with vision and emotion. Most change efforts stall not because clients lack discipline, but because we start in the wrong emotional state. When clients connect to their Ideal Self, they enter what researcher Richard Boyatzis calls the 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 (𝐏𝐄𝐀), the brain state that fuels hope, creativity, and motivation. It’s clean fuel: renewable, sustaining, and energizing. But when we rush into goals and accountability too soon, we activate the 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 (𝐍𝐄𝐀), the brain’s stress-response mode. It’s dirty fuel: it burns hot, but quickly drains energy and focus. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬: ✅ Begin sessions in the 𝐏𝐄𝐀 with vision, values, or purpose. ✅ Then, once the “clean fuel” is flowing, move into planning and goals. When we work with the brain’s natural rhythms, change doesn’t just happen faster; it lasts longer. #NeuroscienceForCoaches #AppliedNeuroscience #CoachingWithScience #MeaningfulLeadership #MindBodyConnection #SelfLeadership #ICFAtlantic

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Inheriting the Impossible Project: What New Executive Sponsors Must Do First There is a particular call no executive seeks, yet most serious leaders eventually receive it. You are asked to sponsor a mission-critical, highly visible initiative. Tens of millions have been spent. Results are negligible. Confidence is low. Failure is not an option. You did not design the program or select the vendors. Still, the outcome now carries your name. In these moments, urgency is real. Discipline is essential. Before committing another dollar or entering a board discussion, a new executive sponsor must quickly analyze and mitigate several risks. 1. Establish objective truth. You need a clear, evidence-based view of what has actually been delivered, what is technically viable, and where the true risks sit. Independent validation provides the foundation for credible decisions and protects both the organization and the sponsor. 2. Clarify decision rights and accountability. Large, multi-vendor initiatives fail when ownership is diffused. Progress requires explicit clarity on who makes decisions, who integrates work across parties, and who is accountable for enterprise outcomes. 3. Reframe the financial conversation. The $20M already spent is history. Leadership credibility now hinges on a rigorous assessment of what the remaining $35M can realistically produce, under what assumptions, and on what timeline. 4. Reset scope around business outcomes. Execution accelerates when success is defined in measurable enterprise terms. Narrow the focus to what materially advances the business and align resources accordingly. 5. Prepare the board early. Requests for additional funding succeed when paired with a materially different plan, stronger governance, and a more explicit risk posture. Boards fund clarity, confidence, and control. Taking over a failing engagement requires steadiness, truth, and decisive leadership. That is how confidence is rebuilt and progress becomes real.

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