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The
Philosophy and Definition of Coaching, Pledge of Ethics, and Standards of
Ethical Conduct
International
Coach Federation
The
ICF Philosophy of Coaching
The
International Coach Federation adheres to a form of coaching that honors the
client as the expert in his/her life and work, believes that every client is
creative, resourceful, and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's
responsibility is to:
- Discover, clarify,
and align with what the client wants to achieve
- Encourage client
self-discovery
- Elicit
client-generated solutions and strategies
- Hold the client
responsible and accountable
The
ICF Definition of Coaching
Professional
Coaching is an ongoing professional relationship that helps people produce
extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses or organizations.
Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their
performance, and enhance their quality of life.
In each meeting, the
client chooses the focus of conversation, while the coach listens and
contributes observations and questions. This interaction creates clarity and
moves the client into action. Coaching accelerates the client's progress by
providing greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaching concentrates on where
clients are now and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be in
the future, recognizing that results are a matter of the client's intentions,
choices and actions, supported by the coach's efforts and application of the
coaching process.
The
ICF Pledge of Ethics
As
a professional coach, I acknowledge and agree to honor my ethical obligations to
my coaching clients and colleagues and to the public at large. I pledge to
comply with ICF Standards of Ethical Conduct, to treat people with dignity as
independent and equal human beings, and to model these standards with those whom
I coach. If I breach this Pledge of Ethics or any ICF Standards of Ethical
Conduct, I agree that the ICF in its sole discretion may hold me accountable for
so doing. I further agree that my accountability to the ICF for any breach may
include loss of my ICF membership or my ICF credentialing.
The
ICF Standards of Ethical Conduct
- I will conduct
myself in a manner that reflects well on coaching as a profession and I will
refrain from doing anything that harms the public's understanding or
acceptance of coaching as a profession.
- I will accurately
identify my level of coaching competence and I will not overstate my
qualifications, expertise or experience as a coach.
- I will ensure that
my coaching client understands the nature of coaching and the terms of the
coaching agreement between us.
- I will not
intentionally mislead or make false claims about what my client will receive
from the coaching process or from me as their coach.
- I will respect the
confidentiality of my client's information, except as otherwise authorized
by my client, or as required by law.
- I will obtain
informed permission from each of my clients before releasing their names as
clients or references or any other client identifying information.
- I will be alert to
noticing when my client is no longer benefiting from our coaching
relationship and would be better served by another coach or by another
resource and, at that time, I will encourage my client to make that change.
- I will seek to
avoid conflicts between my interests and the interests of my clients.
- Whenever any actual
conflict of interest or the potential for a conflict of interest arises, I
will openly disclose it and fully discuss with my client how to deal with it
in whatever way best serves my client.
- I will disclose to
my client all anticipated compensation from third parties that I may receive
for referrals or advice concerning that client.
- I will honour
agreements I make in my coaching relationships, and construct clear
agreements that may include confidentiality, progress reports, and other
particulars. I will obtain the express consent of the person being coached
before releasing information to another person compensating me.
- I will not give my
clients or any prospective clients information or advice I know to be
misleading or beyond my competence.
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