One of the fundamental requirements of becoming an ICF member or having
any ICF credentials is to read and agree to abide by the ICF Code of Ethics.
Even though I have read them several times, I find that I discover new nuggets
every time I read it.
To make it easier for us to find them, I have reproduced the ICF Code of
Ethics below. Of course you can always find them on the ICF web site at http://www.coachfederation.org. Of special
interest, I found the clearest definitions about coaching, professional
coaching, and coach-client relationships, our conduct as coaches, and many more
topics of interest. Feel free to let me know what you think and how easy it is
to live these ethics.
ICF Code of Ethics
Part 1: Definitions of Coaching
Section
1: Definitions
•
Coaching:
Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process
that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
•
A
professional coaching relationship: A professional coaching relationship exists
when coaching includes a business agreement or contract that defines the
responsibilities of each party.
•
An
ICF Professional Coach: An ICF Professional Coach also agrees to practice the
ICF Professional Core Competencies and pledges accountability to the ICF Code
of Ethics. In order to clarify roles in the coaching relationship, it is often
necessary to distinguish between the client and the sponsor. In most cases, the
client and sponsor are the same person and therefore jointly referred to as the
client. For purposes of identification, however, the International Coach
Federation defines these roles as follows:
•
Client:
The "client" is the person(s) being coached.
Sponsor:
The "sponsor" is the entity (including its representatives) paying
for and/or arranging for coaching services to be provided. In all cases,
coaching engagement contracts or agreements should clearly establish the
rights, roles, and responsibilities for both the client and sponsor if they are
not the same persons.
Part 2: The ICF Standards of Ethical Conduct
Preamble:
ICF Professional Coaches 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.
Section
1: Professional Conduct At Large
As a coach:
1)
I will not knowingly make any public statement that is untrue or misleading
about what I offer as a coach, or make false claims in any written documents
relating to the coaching profession or my credentials or the ICF.
2)
I will accurately identify my coaching qualifications, expertise, experience,
certifications and ICF Credentials.
3)
I will recognize and honor the efforts and contributions of others and not
misrepresent them as my own. I understand that violating this standard may
leave me subject to legal remedy by a third party.
4)
I will, at all times, strive to recognize personal issues that may impair,
conflict, or interfere with my coaching performance or my professional coaching
relationships. Whenever the facts and circumstances necessitate, I will
promptly seek professional assistance and determine the action to be taken,
including whether it is appropriate to suspend or terminate my coaching
relationship(s).
5)
I will conduct myself in accordance with the ICF Code of Ethics in all coach
training, coach mentoring, and coach supervisory activities.
6)
I will conduct and report research with competence, honesty, and within
recognized scientific standards and applicable subject guidelines. My research
will be carried out with the necessary consent and approval of those involved,
and with an approach that will protect participants from any potential harm.
All research efforts will be performed in a manner that complies with all the
applicable laws of the country in which the research is conducted.
7)
I will maintain, store, and dispose of any records created during my coaching
business in a manner that promotes confidentiality, security, and privacy, and
complies with any applicable laws and agreements.
8)
I will use ICF member contact information (e-mail addresses, telephone numbers,
etc.) only in the manner and to the extent authorized by the ICF.
Section
2: Conflicts of Interest
As a coach:
9)
I will seek to avoid conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest
and openly disclose any such conflicts. I will offer to remove myself when such
a conflict arises.
10)
I will disclose to my client and his or her sponsor all anticipated
compensation from third parties that I may pay or receive for referrals of that
client.
11)
I will only barter for services, goods or other non-monetary remuneration when
it will not impair the coaching relationship.
12)
I will not knowingly take any personal, professional, or monetary advantage or
benefit of the coach-client relationship, except by a form of compensation as
agreed in the agreement or contract.
Section
3: Professional Conduct with Clients
As a coach:
13)
I will not knowingly mislead or make false claims about what my client or
sponsor will receive from the coaching process or from me as the coach.
14)
I will not give my prospective clients or sponsors information or advice I know
or believe to be misleading or false.
15)
I will have clear agreements or contracts with my clients and sponsor(s). I
will honor all agreements or contracts made in the context of professional
coaching relationships.
16)
I will carefully explain and strive to ensure that, prior to or at the initial
meeting, my coaching client and sponsor(s) understand the nature of coaching,
the nature and limits of confidentiality, financial arrangements, and any other
terms of the coaching agreement or contract.
17)
I will be responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive
boundaries that govern any physical contact I may have with my clients or
sponsors.
18)
I will not become sexually intimate with any of my current clients or sponsors.
19)
I will respect the client's right to terminate the coaching relationship at any
point during the process, subject to the provisions of the agreement or
contract. I will be alert to indications that the client is no longer
benefiting from our coaching relationship.
20)
I will encourage the client or sponsor to make a change if I believe the client
or sponsor would be better served by another coach or by another resource.
21)
I will suggest my client seek the services of other professionals when deemed
necessary or appropriate.
Section
4: Confidentiality/Privacy
As a coach:
22)
I will maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality with all client and
sponsor information. I will have a clear agreement or contract before releasing
information to another person, unless required by law.
23)
I will have a clear agreement upon how coaching information will be exchanged
among coach, client, and sponsor.
24)
When acting as a trainer of student coaches, I will clarify confidentiality
policies with the students.
25)
I will have associated coaches and other persons whom I manage in service of my
clients and their sponsors in a paid or volunteer capacity make clear
agreements or contracts to adhere to the ICF Code of Ethics
Part
2, Section 4: Confidentiality/Privacy standards and the entire ICF Code of
Ethics to the extent applicable.
Part 3: The ICF Pledge of Ethics
As
an ICF Professional Coach, I acknowledge and agree to honor my ethical and
legal obligations to my coaching clients and sponsors, colleagues, and to the
public at large. I pledge to comply with the ICF Code of Ethics, and to
practice these standards with those whom I coach.
If
I breach this Pledge of Ethics or any part of the ICF Code of Ethics, 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
sanctions, such as loss of my ICF membership and/or my ICF Credentials.
Approved by the Ethics and
Standards Committee on October 30, 2008.
Approved by the ICF Board of Directors
on December 18, 2008.
Denise Hedges is a
business development coach and marketing strategist with 
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