Professional Practitioner Diploma / “This diploma didn’t just give me new tools - it fundamentally changed how I see my role”

In this interview, we talk to Mitra Gholam, executive and leadership coach and member of the team at Alira Consulting, about her experience of progressing from the Practitioner Diploma to the Professional Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching with the AoEC. With a background spanning more than 20 years in business management, consulting and leadership across a global client base, Mitra brings deep expertise to her coaching work. She shares how the Professional Practitioner Diploma helped her expand her coaching presence and systemic awareness, and how it continues to shape her work with corporate leaders and teams today.

Who or what introduced you to coaching and led to you signing up for coach training with the AoEC?

I was deeply impacted by witnessing a significant number of talented employees being made redundant within an organisation - many of whom were caught completely off guard. That experience prompted serious reflection on how I could use my own knowledge and skills to better support others during times of uncertainty and transition. Executive coaching emerged as the most meaningful and aligned path. I chose to train with the AoEC because of its strong reputation, triple accreditation, and its roots in London, England. With family members who pursued their education in the UK during the 1970s, joining the AoEC felt like a natural and meaningful continuation of that legacy.

You originally did the Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching in 2023. What prompted you to pursue further training with the Professional Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching, and how did you know it was the right time for you to take this next step?

I've always been naturally curious and committed to continuous growth. After completing the Practitioner Diploma in 2023, I found myself wanting to deepen my knowledge further - especially as I began encountering more complex and nuanced client challenges. I realised that to truly support my clients at the level they deserved, I needed to expand my toolkit and refine my practice. I started asking myself: What more is out there that could help me grow? How can I better serve those I work with? The AoEC team was incredibly supportive and encouraged me to consider the Professional Practitioner Diploma. I am so glad I followed that path - the faculty were outstanding, and the programme exceeded my expectations in every way.

What were some of the positives and challenges you experienced while doing the Professional Practitioner Diploma?

Completing the Professional Practitioner Diploma was a truly enriching experience, filled with many positive and lasting memories. I had the privilege of learning alongside a diverse group of experienced coaches from around the world, representing different time zones, languages, and cultural perspectives. It was inspiring to be part of a community so deeply committed to growth, learning, and professional excellence.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was managing my own self-doubt - not being intimidated by the breadth of experience around me and instead staying grounded in the unique strengths and perspectives I bring to the coaching space. Sharing that journey with such a thoughtful and dedicated group was both humbling and empowering.

How would you describe the transition from the Practitioner Diploma to the Professional Practitioner Diploma in terms of complexity and depth of learning?

I would describe the transition between the two programmes as similar to moving between romance languages - there are shared foundations, but each stands firmly on its own.

The Practitioner Diploma offers a strong introduction to coaching, equipping you with the core skills and frameworks needed to become a qualified executive coach.

In contrast, the Professional Practitioner Diploma takes you much deeper, both in terms of complexity and personal development. It challenges your existing understanding of coaching and encourages you to explore more nuanced, layered approaches. I found myself growing not just in skill, but in maturity as a coach. I’m especially grateful that I chose to take the course earlier in my coaching journey and after many years of experience in the business world - it has given me valuable time to reflect on the insights and integrate them meaningfully into my practice.

In what ways has the Professional Practitioner Diploma equipped you with new tools or perspectives that you didn’t gain from the Practitioner Diploma? How do these new insights elevate your coaching practice?

The Professional Practitioner Diploma opened up a whole new dimension of coaching for me - one that moved beyond methodology and into deeper presence, maturity, and systemic awareness. Where the Practitioner Diploma gave me a solid grounding in coaching essentials, this next level of learning stretched me to operate with more subtlety and depth. I was introduced to ways of working that are less about applying models and more about being in the moment with the client - reading the whole system, not just the words.

One of the most valuable shifts was moving from a focus on “doing coaching” to truly embodying the coach role. I developed a more nuanced understanding of relational dynamics and learned how to hold complexity without rushing to resolution. Tools such as advanced reflective practices, somatic awareness, and systemic mapping allowed me to engage with clients in a more integrated and impactful way.

This diploma didn’t just give me new tools - it fundamentally changed how I see my role. I now approach coaching as a living conversation that adapts in real time, driven by trust, insight, and the courage to sit with the unknown. That shift has made my coaching feel more alive - and more transformational - for the people I work with.

Looking back, what advice would you give to someone considering moving from the Practitioner Diploma to the Professional Practitioner Diploma? What should they prepare for in terms of personal and professional growth?

Looking back, my advice to anyone considering the move from the Practitioner Diploma to the Professional Practitioner Diploma is to be ready for a deeply transformative journey - one that will stretch you both personally and professionally. Come with an open mind, a willingness to be challenged, and a commitment to self-reflection. This course will challenge you about how you see yourself as a coach and how you show up for your clients.

What elements of the Professional Practitioner Diploma’s modules particularly resonated with you and why?

Several elements of the Professional Practitioner Diploma resonated deeply with me, particularly the modules on Building Psychological Safety and Trauma Coaching. These areas felt especially relevant and important, as they address foundational aspects of creating trust and supporting clients through vulnerable and challenging experiences.

I also greatly appreciated the thoughtful design of the course as a whole. The blend of interactive workshops, peer coaching opportunities, meaningful discussions with classmates, and reflective guidance from faculty and staff created a rich and supportive learning environment. It was evident that considerable care and attention were invested in delivering a high-calibre programme that truly prioritises the growth and development of its participants.

You have gone on to be credentialed with the ICF at ACC level and with EMCC Global. Why was becoming credentialled important to you and what value has it brought your practice?

Becoming credentialed with the ICF at ACC level and with EMCC Global was a meaningful step for me - it signified a deep commitment to my growth as a coach and to upholding the integrity of the profession. It wasn’t just about gaining recognition; it was about aligning with frameworks that support reflective, ethical, and impactful practice. These credentials have brought a grounded confidence to my work, reinforcing the way I hold space for clients with presence and clarity. The journey itself - through feedback, supervision, and continuous learning - has invited me to deepen my self-awareness and show up with greater authenticity and intention in every coaching conversation.

You work as part of the team at Alira Consulting. Who do you typically coach and what are the issues or opportunities you normally support them with?

Yes, at Alira Consulting, and we are proud of the impact we’re making through our work. We primarily coach corporate executives who are either seeking to grow within their current roles or navigating transitions into new opportunities. In addition to individual coaching, we take a holistic, 360-degree approach to organisational support, offering coaching solutions across key functions including learning & development, sales & marketing, and human resources. Our team is internationally based and composed of coaches who bring both passion and deep expertise to their practice. We are committed to evidence-based coaching and consistently draw on proven methodologies - many of which I integrate from my diploma programmes - to ensure we are delivering meaningful and sustainable outcomes for our clients.

Can you share a success story or testimonial from one of your clients that highlights the impact of your coaching?

I have many success stories. One that resonates with me is supporting a client looking to make a transnational move from the United Kingdom to another country within the Commonwealth. He had no contacts in the new country, but through coaching, his path became illuminated, and he is now happily settled in his new home country and thriving in a C-Suite role!

What do you find most rewarding about your work as a coach?

What I find most rewarding about my work as a coach is the profound opportunity to create meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of my clients.

It is important for me to support the exceptional coaches at Alira Consulting - nurturing their development and empowering them to elevate their practice, so they can deliver even greater value to our clients.

This sense of purpose has naturally grown into a wider commitment, as I now serve as the lead for the Centre for Excellence in Team Coaching with the EMCC. In this capacity, I continue to deepen my expertise and am actively pursuing further team coaching training through the AoEC to enhance my skills.

My personal mission has expanded to include fostering growth within the team coaching community and contributing actively to the broader EMCC network. I genuinely believe that every step of my journey has prepared me for this greater purpose, and I remain energised and optimistic about the future, embracing the opportunities ahead with passion and dedication.

Our deepest thanks to Mitra for sharing her personal journey and experience of coach training at the AoEC.