Breaking Down the VPCC: Your Path to ICF-Level 1 Certification

Phil McKinney • June 9, 2025

In today’s dynamic professional landscape, organizations and leaders are seeking morn just technical expertise—they want transformational influence. The Vanguard Professional Coaching Certification (VPCC) is our signature ICF (International Coaching Federation) Level 1 (ACC-path) coaching course, designed to empower leaders at any level to elevate their impact through professional coaching. 


What Is the VPCC? 


A foundational Leadership Development and ICF Level 1 coaching course offered in two formats: 


- 61-hour executive track 

- 80-hour comprehensive track, aligned with Army credentialing requirements 


Delivers the targeted 60 (or 80) coach education hours by aligning with the 8 Core Competencies outlined by the International Coaching Federation. 


Who Is It For? 


Designed for anyone committed to leadership growth—whether corporate leaders, HR professionals, military officers, coaches, consultants, or entrepreneurs. 


Ideal for those seeking to coach professionally or introduce coaching cultures within their organizations. 


What You’ll Gain 


ICF Credentialing Pathway 

The VPCC is an ICF Level 1, 80-hour program that meets the requirements for participants to pursue the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential and the Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential. 


Comprehensive Coaching Training 

Learn and apply the Vanguard XXI 5-Step Coaching Model while mastering ICF Coaching Competencies and Ethical Standards to become a highly effective professional coach. 


Flexible Learning Format 

The course includes virtual and in-person instruction, making it accessible to professionals from different industries and locations. 


Holistic Leadership Development 

Participants grow as transformational leaders using David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, ensuring deep learning through real-world experiences, reflection, and hands-on application. 


Mentor Coaching for ICF Credentialing 

Includes 10 hours of mentor coaching to refine coaching techniques and ensure participants are prepared for the ICF ACC credentialing process. 


Practice Makes Permanent 

Participants will have the opportunity to practice the ICF coaching competencies and the Vanguard XXI coaching model through several coaching triads during the course. 


Course Overview & Discounts 


Upcoming Cohorts (Columbus, GA): 

Sep 15–19, 2025 (VPCC 3‑25) 

Nov 3–7, 2025 (VPCC 4‑25) 


Discounts: 

Early Bird 1 (90 Days Out) – 10% off 

Early Bird 2 (60 Days Out) – 5% off 

UM/FUM/VUM – 10% off 

Buddy Discount (register together with three or more) – 10% off 


Why Choose the VPCC? 


Accredited by ICF and approved for Army Credentialing Assistance, including PDSI A3B/A4B credits. 


Delivered from a world-class leadership environment at the National Infantry Museum—rich with historical and strategic resonance. 


Supported by seasoned facilitators, including leaders like Dr. Anthony Randall, Dr. Phil McKinney II, Dr. Kim Zovak, Court Whitman, Mike Rauhut, and Brett Funck (all PCC/MCC level coaches), who will guide you through deep experiential learning. 


Join the VPCC Community 


Transform your leadership, build critical coaching competencies, and drive organizational impact. 


👉 Request a free consultation or register today! 

https://www.vanguardxxi.com/vpcc 


Invest in your leadership—become the coach and catalyst your organization needs.

Meet the Vanguard Team: A Deep Dive Into Our Coaches and Their Expertise

By Phil McKinney • June 2, 2025
Transforming Leaders. Forging Excellence. At Vanguard XXI, we don’t just train leaders—we shape transformative ones. Our coaching team is composed of deeply experienced professionals from the military, business, education, and nonprofit sectors. What unites us is a shared mission: to transform leaders, forge excellence, and win. Meet Our Coaching Team Dr. Anthony Randall President & Founder, ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Dr. Randall is a transformative leader and the visionary behind Vanguard XXI. With over 17,000 professionals coached across the U.S. Army, Special Operations, MLB, Fortune 100/500 companies, and higher education, he brings a rare depth of experience and a commitment to ethical leadership development. Mike Wall Senior Vice President of Business Development, Vanguard XXI Leadership Coach A retired Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years in military and defense industry roles, Mike is a passionate servant leader focused on cultivating high-functioning, cohesive teams. His visionary leadership and relational approach drive business growth and organizational cohesion. Dr. Phil McKinney II Senior Vice President of Operations, ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Executive & Mentor Coach Phil is a seasoned leader in ministry, higher education, and leadership development. With expertise in coaching, spiritual direction, and counseling, he brings 30+ years of experience and certified training in DISC, EIQ, and Prepare/Enrich assessments to support individuals and teams on their growth journeys. Brett Funck (PCC) Former military leader and course facilitator whose post-service work in coaching and talent management reflects his dedication to developing others through tested leadership principles. Rick Mattson (ACC) With 25+ years in global corporate leadership, Rick is an award-winning strategist and instructor, specializing in organizational transformation, strategy management, and high-performance team development. Javier Lopez (ACC) A retired Army battalion commander, Javier brings over 20 years of expertise in leader development, curriculum design, and organizational growth—now coaching leaders to reach peak potential. Damien Mason A dynamic communicator and Special Operations veteran, Damien leverages his 26 years of military experience to empower individuals and organizations in high-stakes environments. Dr. Art Finch An operational and clinical psychologist, Art is a national expert in executive assessment, team optimization, and personality-driven leadership development. His work supports elite teams across military, federal, and corporate domains. Court Whitman (PCC) Director of Mentor Coaching, Court brings 2,000+ hours of coaching experience to help leaders tackle complexity and drive meaningful results in high-performance contexts. Dr. Kim Zovak (MCC) Kim is a global leadership consultant and coach passionate about multiplying impact. Her expertise supports nonprofits in building cultures of coaching and leadership development. Mike Rauhut (PCC) Author, coach, and educator, Mike’s work spans life transitions, executive coaching, and team development. His influence extends to senior leaders in business, government, and the military. Our Collective Expertise The Vanguard XXI team comprises ICF-credentialed coaches (MCC, PCC, ACC) with over 10,000 collective coaching hours. Our diverse backgrounds span corporate leadership, military service, non-profit management, and higher education, enabling us to serve clients in high-performance environments, including executive C-suites, special operations, and professional sports. Why Vanguard XXI? Whether you’re a senior executive, a transitioning veteran, or a mission-driven organization, Vanguard XXI offers unmatched expertise in coaching, leader development, and organizational transformation. Our team is credentialed, combat-tested, boardroom-proven, and purpose-driven. Learn more about our team: vanguardxxi.com/our-team

How to Lead Across Generations: Building Cohesion from Boomers to Gen Z

By Phil McKinney • May 13, 2025
Today’s workforce is more generationally diverse than ever before. In a single meeting, you might find Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Z—all bringing unique values, communication styles, and expectations to the table. The challenge? Avoiding friction and silos. The opportunity? Creating cross-generational strength through inclusive leadership. Here’s how high-impact leaders build cohesion across generations: 1. Seek Understanding Before Being Understood Each generation grew up with different influences—culturally, technologically, and economically. Boomers value loyalty and structure. Gen Z expects transparency and flexibility. Leading effectively starts with curiosity over judgment. Tip: Ask team members about their preferred communication style, feedback rhythm, and work priorities. You’ll be surprised how much alignment you can create just by listening. 2. Embrace a Coaching Mindset The command-and-control style of leadership doesn’t resonate equally across generations. Coaching creates a bridge. It fosters mutual respect, psychological safety, and empowerment—whether someone is 25 or 65. Tip: Leaders trained in coaching techniques often unlock deeper engagement, especially from younger generations craving development over direction. 3. Customize, Don’t Compromise Fairness doesn’t mean sameness. Offer flexibility where it matters—hybrid schedules, career paths, recognition methods—while maintaining a shared sense of accountability and purpose. Tip: One-size-fits-all leadership is outdated. The future is personalized and principled. 4. Leverage Cross-Generational Mentoring Knowledge-sharing goes both ways. Boomers bring institutional wisdom. Gen Z brings digital fluency and fresh perspective. Build intentional spaces where mentorship flows in all directions. Tip: The best leaders create ecosystems where every generation is both a teacher and a learner. Leading across generations isn’t about minimizing differences. It’s about maximizing connection. When you create a culture where every generation feels seen, heard, and valued—you don’t just improve retention or productivity. You unlock an intergenerational advantage. Are you leading with that mindset?