ICF Core Competency: Setting the Foundation – Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards

The first category of ICF Core Competencies is Setting the Foundation and the first point under it is Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards.

A. Setting the Foundation

1. Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards—Understanding of coaching ethics and standards and ability to apply them appropriately in all coaching situations.

1. Understands and exhibits in own behaviors the ICF Standards of Conduct.
2. Understands and follows all ICF Ethical Guidelines.
3. Clearly communicates the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy and other support professions.
4. Refers client to another support professional as needed, knowing when this is needed and the available resources.

A professional coaching relationship exists when there is a business agreement or contract that defines the responsibilities of the coach and the client.

One advantage of engaging ICF professional coaches is that they agree to practice the ICF Professional Core Competencies and pledge accountability to the ICF Code of Ethics. They also aspire to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively upon the coaching profession; are respectful of different approaches to coaching; and recognize that they are also bound by applicable laws and regulations.

Click here to see the 11 ICF Core Coaching Competencies in this blog.

Retrieved from ICF Core Coaching Competencies and read more at ICF Code of Ethics.