Personally, I don’t believe certifications alone give someone authority, although they absolutely have value. For many people, they build confidence, credibility, and help reduce imposter syndrome when starting out. In my experience, though, real-world execution is the best teacher. When I first got into coaching, I was completely green. Instead of relying only on formal programs, I invested in mentors and learned directly from people already doing the work. Paid them to steal their 10,000 hours which accelerated my growth farther and faster than my peers. Certifications can help — but applied experience and consistent action are the key.