Calling All Purpose People
Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia defined the good life as living in accordance with virtue and realizing one’s potential. The Stoics emphasized self-mastery, resilience, and aligning one’s will with nature. Both traditions valued clarity of values, disciplined habits, and antifragility—core themes within the Becoming You Method.
Who This Is For
This certification is designed for mission-driven professionals who help others grow.
Life, executive, leadership, or wellness coaches looking fordifferentiation and credibility. The Becoming You framework gives you science-backed tools to spark clarity and transformation, helping clients not just set goals but make decisions that stick because they’re true.
Inside the Experience
For the first time, the data-rich Becoming You methodology is being opened to professionals outside of NYU Stern.
Hybrid Program
In-person (NYC, Jan 27–30, 2026)
Online (Feb–June 2026)
Expertise meets purpose
Developed by Suzy Welch, award-winning NYU Stern professor, journalist, and Director of the Initiative on Purpose & Flourishing.
Proven insights, lasting impact
Rooted in behavioral science, decision theory, and 15 years of proven classroom results.
Where your purpose comes alive
Grounded in a powerful premise: Your purpose lies at the intersection of your values, your aptitudes, and your most energizing, economically viable interests.
This is not another coaching toolkit. It’s a comprehensive system of alignment—tested with thousands of students, executives, and individuals—that gives you a common language, proven exercises, and enduring frameworks for guiding others.
Certification Journey
Your 5-month Immersive Training
Pre-Work
Read Becoming You and complete foundational self-assessments (Values Bridge, PIE360, Career Traits Compass).
Zoom Prep Call
Meet with the Becoming You Labs team to clarify your goals and prepare for the intensive.
In-Person Intensive
- Deep dive into Values, Aptitudes, EVIs, and the Area of Transcendence framework.
- Learn to run the flagship assessments and interpret results with nuance.
- Participate in live coaching practicums and receive faculty feedback.
Cohort Check-Ins & Coaching Practice
- Monthly guided discussions with faculty.
- Peer-to-peer coaching labs.
- Structured opportunities to apply tools with your own clients or students.
Final Certification
A one-on-one interview with Professor Welch to demonstrate mastery.
Licensing Agreement
Graduates receive the right to run official Becoming You workshops, assessments, and coaching sessions with their clients, institutions, or organizations.
What You'll Gain
Skills & Knowledge
- Master the Becoming You framework: concepts, lexicon, assessment tools, and coaching techniques.
- Learn how to facilitate workshops and sessions that are practical, transformative, and scalable.
- Gain fluency in the research, behavioral science, and decision-making theory underpinning the methodology.
Professional Benefits
- A frameable certificate from the NYU Stern Initiative on Purpose & Flourishing
- A digital badge for LinkedIn and your personal website.
- Inclusion in the official directory of Certified Becoming You Practitioners on Suzy Welch’s website.
- Quarterly Community of Practice sessions with Suzy Welch and faculty for ongoing learning.
- Exclusive licensing agreement with 50 access codes to our suite of assessments for your first year.
Personal Transformation
- A deeper understanding of your own values, aptitudes, and EVIs—so you can live the work you deliver.
- A global network of purpose-driven peers committed to impact and authenticity.
Requirements
Eligibility
To apply, at least two of the following must be true:
You have experienced the Becoming You methodology (through NYU or an Intensive workshop).
You have 3+ years of professional experience in coaching, therapy, facilitation, education, consulting, or leadership development.
You hold a recognized certification in coaching or counseling.
And all of the following must be true:
You actively work with clients, students, or communities who would benefit.
You are passionate about helping others find purpose and direction.
You have the energy and commitment to bring Becoming You into practice.
Faculty
Suzy Welch
Professor of Management Practice, NYU Stern; Director, Initiative on Purpose & Flourishing
Rasanath Das
Visiting Fellow, NYU Stern; Enneagram expert, Cornell MBA; former Wall Street banker & monk
Betsy Willis
Co-author, Your Hidden Genius; co-founder of YouScience, the leading aptitude assessment
Dustin Liu
Sr. Associate Director, Initiative on Purpose & Flourishing; educator and leadership development specialist
Cost & Licensing
Programming Tuition
$6,500
Licensing
1 Year
Annual Renewal (after Year 1)
$750
Excludes: lodging, travel, and lunches in New York.
Are you ready to guide others into lives of clarity, alignment, and flourishing?
Spaces are limited for the inaugural 2026 cohort.