CAQL-FF™
Certified AQ™ Leader,Founding Fellow
Reserved for participants
of the founding cohort.
Work With Kathleen O'Grady, CALC, MCC
Kathleen offers limited one-on-one coaching, mentoring, and consulting for leaders and founders in any field, and for aspiring, in-training, and current coaches. Her emphasis now lies with Authentic Intelligence™ (AQ™).
She also takes on select organizational projects focused on talent management, company culture upcycling, and broader leadership development needs. Authentic Intelligence shapes how she approaches each one.
Availability is determined at the time of inquiry.
A Note to CALC™ Alumni
Dear Ones,
I'm grateful that you took the leap and invested in so much more than a certificate by selecting CALC™ as your threshold into the coaching world. As you know, I've held an extremely high standard for quality and rigor. As with any coaching relationship, the program deserves the full focus and presence of its leader.
Over the last year, it dawned on me that every single cohort created its own unique dynamic that organically inspired me to recognize that Authentic Intelligence™ is so much bigger than the coaching container alone can hold.
It is time to share the incredible gift of AQ™, which is part of your legacies too, with the rest of the world. That means saying goodbye to CALC. This was not an easy decision, trust me!
If you need anything to finalize an ICF credential application, including remaining records and documentation, please reach out. (Hellos are welcome too!)
Love,
Kathleen
Kicks Off in 2027
The Founding Cohort
A one-time pilot. Space is limited.
Authentic Intelligence™ (AQ™) Certification
The Founding AQ™ Certification Cohort brings Kathleen O'Grady's decades of real-world behavioral research into practice for forward‑thinkers in senior leadership, human resources, training and development, higher education, and more.
(This certification is independent of ALA's retired CALC™ coursework.)
A Sample of What You Will Learn
There are three kinds of human intelligence, and only two have been formally studied.
Cognitive Intelligence (IQ)We Rationalize
How we think. Measured since Binet, a century ago.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)We Relate
How we relate. Popularized by Goleman in the 1990s.
Authentic Intelligence™ (AQ™)We Resonate
How we know what is real. Originated by Kathleen O’Grady in 2026.
Authentic Intelligence is a pre-rational, pre-emotional awareness that joins IQ and EQ as part of the Trinity of Human Intelligence™ (THI™). Kathleen O’Grady identified it over two decades of field research and published it in Authentic Intelligence: The Third Domain of Human Awareness in 2026. In practice, it catches patterns inside decisions, teams, and organizations, especially when pressure is high and the usual logic stops working.
Fear is crowding out awareness
People can't tell what's real anymore. Fear is crowding out AQ at institutional scale right now. The signs are everywhere.
- Declining mental health
- Burnout at every level of the organization
- Leaders doubting their own judgment
- Fear-driven decisions at scale
- False narratives outrunning the facts
- Eroding trust, from institutions to teams
How to Read the Functional THI™ Map
You sense the need to call a friend. Nothing prompted it. That awareness is AQ™, and it arrives first. Your body registers it next, which is EQ, a pull toward the phone before any thought forms.
Then IQ analyzes, checking the time and counting the weeks since you last spoke. You call. She has just gotten bad news, and the first thing she asks is how you knew.
Now take the same moment on a day when fear already fills you. EQ is saturated with your own worry, so the pull toward the phone never registers. IQ is saturated too, and it builds the case for leaving her alone. The sense to call still arrived, and it was right.
AQ is never wrong. Fear in the other two domains crowded it out. The next day she calls you with the bad news, which reached her the day before, right around the time you thought to call her.
The Authentic Field™ (TAF™)
The universal field itself, the whole, everything at once. It has no location and no edges, so the map places it above the apex only to show where it enters. Pure signal received by AQ.
The Focused Field™ (TFF™)*
An individual’s energetic field of awareness, where all three domains (IQ, EQ, AQ) exist. It taps into TAF signal with AQ as the receiver, unless IQ and EQ are oversaturated with fear.
* The Focused Field scales from one person to a group of any size, up to an entire population.
Figure One shows the circuit running clear, and Figure Two shows what fear does to it.
Figure One · The Coherent State
The Resonant State
You
IQIt has been weeks since we spoke.
EQI feel a pull toward the phone.
AQShe needs me to call.
Figure Two · The Coherence Reversal™
The Fear State
You
IQShe’s probably fine, and busy.
EQI’m just being anxious and paranoid.
AQI still feel the urge to call, though.
Founding Fellow
CAQL™
Certified AQ™ LeaderEarned by every leader certified
after the founding cohort.
CAQL-F™
Certified AQ™ Leader,Fellow
An optional advanced distinction
for certified AQ™ Leaders.
Admission follows an application and interview.
Looking for one-on-one or organizational work? See Work With Kathleen.
Program Archive
Inside the CALC™ Program
CALC™ trained coaches in an accelerated format of nine days over four months, with three pathways aligned to ICF credentials. This archive shows how the program ran.
Three Pathways
CALC™ Certification
ALA and ICF AlignmentCertified Authentic Leadership Coach (CALC) distinction
Required Coursework
- Heart of Coaching
- Mastery of Coaching
- Business of Coaching
Credit Hours94 ICF credit hours
40 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) credit hours
40 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) credit hours
Required Deliverables
- 50 coaching practice hours
- Passing CALC Oral Exam*
ICF Level 1 to ACC Credential
ALA and ICF AlignmentCALC distinction, with eligibility for the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential
Required Coursework
- Heart of Coaching
- Mastery of Coaching
- Business of Coaching
Credit Hours94 ICF credit hours
40 SHRM credit hours
40 SHRM credit hours
Required Deliverables
- 100 coaching practice hours
- Passing CALC Oral Exam
- Passing ICF ACC Core Competency Oral Exam
- 10 hours of group or individual ACC-level ICF mentor coaching
ICF Level 2 to PCC Credential
ALA and ICF AlignmentCALC distinction, with eligibility for the ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential
Required Coursework
- Heart of Coaching
- Mastery of Coaching
- Business of Coaching
- Grace of Coaching
Credit Hours125 ICF credit hours
40 SHRM credit hours
40 SHRM credit hours
Required Deliverables
- 500 coaching practice hours
- Passing CALC Oral Exam
- Passing ICF PCC Core Competency Oral Exam
- 10 hours of group or individual PCC-level ICF mentor coaching
CALC is a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Recertification Provider. 40 SHRM professional development credits were awarded to HR leaders.
Each training module ran three 8-hour days. *The CALC coaching model asked for a much higher level of coaching skill than other coaching methodologies, and passing the oral exam took a level of skill similar to meeting ICF's updated PCC proficiency markers. The ICF Credential Application Path Comparison Guide compares every credential route.
What Is ICF?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization for coaches and coaching. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals.
Cohort Names
Cohorts took their names from words that correspond to authentic leadership coaching values and skills, a more creative approach than naming them by season and year.
Path to CALC™ Certification
Graduates earned the Certified Authentic Leadership Coach (CALC) distinction by meeting these criteria.
- Successful completion of the Heart of Coaching, Mastery of Coaching, and Business of Coaching weekend modules and all associated assignments
- A minimum of 50 hours of coaching practice outside of class
- A passing 20 to 30 minute CALC Oral Exam recording
Graduates may also request an ICF Partial Completion Certificate for 94 hours of ICF-accredited coach-specific training, which can later count toward an ICF ACSTH application for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential.
Paths to ICF ACC and PCC Credentialing
CALC offered training for coaches pursuing the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) or Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential through these pathways.
- ICF ACSTH Path to ACC
- ICF ACSTH Path to PCC
- ICF Level 1 Path to ACC
- ICF Level 2 Path to PCC
- ICF Portfolio Path
A full breakdown of criteria for each pathway is on the ICF site.
Learning Philosophy
Guiding Principles for Learning
Dynamic
The program honored the individual uniqueness each participant brought to the group, which shaped the overall class dynamic.
Organic
The program respected each student's perspective and contribution to class discussion, and it facilitated a structured yet organic flow of collaborative learning.
Inspired
The program held that participants push themselves further when they feel inspired, so it fostered an atmosphere of heart-centered, inspirational learning.
Value
What CALC™ Provided Leaders and Organizations
The Authentic Leadership Advisors Academy specialized in developing Certified Authentic Leadership Coaches (CALCs). It was an investment in the deep-rooted growth of individuals and of an organization's leadership culture.
- Authentic Intelligence Coaching Model™. The model bypassed superficial goal-setting to focus on genuine aspirations that the corporate setting often undervalues, so leaders could drive strategic vision with clarity, conviction, and authenticity.
- ICF accreditation. The course, offering up to 125 training hours, positioned leaders for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) or Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential, and SHRM professionals could earn 40 credits.
- Transformation. The weekend modules imparted knowledge and also shifted mindsets, cultivating leaders poised to make visionary decisions.
- Individualized learning. Learning was fine-tuned to individual strengths and areas of growth, so leadership teams received what they needed.
Return for an Organization
- Elevated leadership. Decision-making rooted in authenticity aligned better with corporate values and produced more agile leaders.
- Stronger organizational culture. Authentic coaching aligned individual aspirations with organizational objectives, nurturing a motivated and committed workforce.
- Long-term growth. Clarity in leadership reduced decision fatigue, promoted innovation, and supported sustainable success.
Compared With University Programs
Traditional institutions offer breadth, and CALC™ was built for depth tailored to corporate efficiency.
- Adaptable learning modes. In-person or virtual, to suit busy corporate schedules.
- Streamlined curriculum. Laser-focused on cultivating authentic leadership, so time invested returned maximum value.
- Community. Alumni formed a growing network of corporate leaders offering peer insights and collaborative opportunities.
Curriculum
Program Structure
Section 1
The Heart of Coaching
This segment covered the delivery side of coaching, including industry standards, ethics, and the program's signature Authentic Intelligence Coaching Model™.
Section 2
The Mastery of Coaching
This three-day segment covered the ICF Core Competencies, personal and professional development, and the difference between coaching standard and coaching style.
Section 3
The Business of Coaching
This three-day segment covered the business side of coaching, including building an independent coaching business, branding, marketing, pricing, packaging of services, and business development.
Section 4
The Grace of Coaching
This three-day segment covered higher-level PCC and MCC ICF Core Competencies, for CALC™ alumni nearing a PCC application and for students on the ICF Level 2 path.
Full Details
Program Details
The ALA Advantage
- An exclusive selection process to determine fit
- Accelerated intensive training, nine days over four months
- Virtual or in-person cohorts, with a Raleigh location convenient to RDU airport, hotels, award-winning restaurants, Umstead State Park, and museums
- Customized, on-location organizational training on request
- A coaching methodology that applied universally to any coaching niche, including executive, career, and personal development
- A strong focus on personal transformation and professional development
- Four or more cohorts per year for flexible scheduling
- Up to 125 curriculum hours approved by ICF for the ACSTH credentialing path and for the Level 1 and Level 2 paths
- The signature Authentic Intelligence Coaching Model™, which fostered more sustainable and lasting transformation by focusing on the "being" of the person rather than the "doing"
Admission
- A written application
- An interview with an ALA Academy instructor
Requirements for Full Certification
- Perfect attendance, with fully present and interactive class participation
- Required reading and assessments, purchased separately
- Practice hours outside of class, paid or pro bono, at 50 hours for CALC™ certification, 100 hours for the ACC credential, and 500 hours for the PCC credential
- 10 hours of ICF mentor coaching
- Recorded coaching sessions and transcripts submitted for the Oral Exam, graded pass or fail
What the Curriculum Included
- 72 hours of live synchronous training
- 125 ICF-accredited training hours
- 40 SHRM professional development credits
- Three three-day semi-monthly modules of live, in-depth, experiential learning
- One personality profile assessment and one personal branding assessment
- Two virtual class interim calls
- 10 hours of ICF mentor coaching, at the ACC or PCC level
- Oral Exam recording review
- ICF-credentialed faculty and mentor coaches
Building Coaching Hours
- The ALA Academy Practice Partner Barter Coaching Program, which helped students accumulate paid coaching hours
- The ALA Academy Pro-Bono Coaching Partnership Program with non-profits, which helped students accumulate pro bono coaching hours
After the Curriculum
- Quarterly continuing education Q&A sessions, with access to the full video archive
- Access to active ALA Academy alumni events, social media groups, tools, and resources
Format
How Cohorts Were Built
The Right Fit
Aspiring coaches often struggle to be sure that a program's curriculum matches the kind of coaching they want to offer, and ALA Academy was created with that in mind. Rather than delivering the same static content repeatedly, it covered foundational material and then followed with facilitated discussion tailored to the needs of the students enrolled.
Intimate Class Size
Each cohort was limited to a maximum of eight students, so every student received the time and attention needed to be transformed. At least two fully ICF-credentialed faculty, plus one or two additional faculty, were on staff at all times. The small classes and high faculty-to-student ratio are how the program kept its format so short.
Experiential Learning
The program took pride in being anti-PowerPoint. Each session began with an overview of the module's lesson, followed by interactive discussion of real-life scenarios. Class mixed thought-provoking and fun experiential exercises with in-class coaching exercises, designed to solidify individual and group understanding of the material.
ICF Accreditation
CALC™ carries accreditation from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) at Levels 1 and 2, which gives students training hours toward their ICF ACC or PCC credential.
Curriculum Focus Areas
Leadership, executive, and corporate coaching; individual development coaching; internal coaching; organizational development and talent management strategy; therapists and consultants wishing to offer coaching; solopreneurship; and authentic leadership professional development.
Flexible Training Options
Many coaches in training have full-time jobs and hectic lives, so multiple semi-monthly cohorts ran throughout the year, with in-person and virtual options.
Organizations Worked With
Cohorts
