The Coaching Case
Celebrating
Impactful Coaching
The Defense Acquisition
University received an
honorable mention through
the 2013 ICF International
Prism Award Program. In
June 2013, DAU was also
recognized at the 10thanniversary Capital Coaches
Conference as the recipient of
ICF Metro DC’s Chapter-level
Prism Award.
In 2005, ICF Global adopted
the Prism Award, a concept
developed by ICF Toronto
recognizing businesses
and organizations that
demonstrate how professional
coaching pays off on
many fronts. This award
represents the epitome of
what professional coaching
can accomplish within
organizations of all sizes and
in all sectors.
The 23 programs nominated
for the 2013 award were
evaluated by a panel
comprised of ICF Members
from around the world
according to four criteria:
fulfilling rigorous professional
standards, addressing key
strategic goals, shaping
organizational culture, and
yielding discernible and
measureable positive impacts.
To learn more about the
International Prism
Award, visit
Coachfederation.org/prism.
12 Coaching World
Skills Acquisition
As the corporate university
for the United States’ defense
acquisition workforce, the
Defense Acquisition University
(DAU) is charged with providing
learning opportunities and
leadership development to the
152,000 military and civilian
defense acquisition professionals
involved in the largest buying
enterprise in the world.
In 2008, DAU began to explore the
possibility of adding coaching to
its portfolio of offerings in order to
improve acquisition outcomes and
enhance the leadership capacity of
key defense acquisition leaders. After
extensive research and benchmarking
efforts DAU launched a rigorous
coach-training program centered
on ICF’s Code of Ethics and Core
Competencies and adapted to the
unique needs of the acquisition
profession’s operating environment.
DAU’s coaches—all of whom are
senior faculty members and seasoned
defense acquisition professionals—
are subject to a rigorous nomination,
training and qualification process