I’m committed to support you in reaching your credentialing goals by bringing you tools and resources that will help you grow your ICF Ethics knowledge and skills.
I want you to be fabulously successful at what you do.
When you grow, your clients grow. There is power in that my friends!
You know that I’ve been deeply immersed in the ICF Competencies. And now I am shifting gears to focus on the ICF Code of Ethics. Decades spent in corporate learning and development have taught me that the ‘use it or lose it’ principle really is true. If we are not revisiting the fundamentals of our work regularly, key concepts are forgotten.
It happens to the best of us.
I’ll be honest. Knowledge and recall of the Code of Ethics is not as high as I think it should be in the coaching community. Maybe this isn’t true for you. Perhaps you are up to date on the code, and have a copy handy for reference.
Maybe you have recently taken the complimentary ICF Ethics CCE course or you have watched the ICF Code of Ethics video series, so your ethics knowledge is fresh.
Yay you!
But that’s just not true across the board. It’s a challenge for coaches who are planning to write the ICF Credentialing Exam because all of the questions are based on the ICF Core Competencies, ICF Code of Ethics and ICF’s Definition of Coaching.
Did you know that all ICF Credential-holders are required to demonstrate completion of at least three (3) Continuing Coach Education (CCE) units in the area of coaching ethics to be eligible for renewal of their ICF Credentials?
That alone makes it important to keep your ethics knowledge fresh. So, how familiar are you with the current ICF Code of Ethics?
See if you can answer these questions without peeking:
- How many core values are highlighted in the ICF Code of Ethics?
- What is one of the main ethical principles regarding confidentiality in the ICF Code of Ethics?
- Name two of the core values emphasized by the ICF.
- How does the ICF define excellence in coaching?
- Describe an ethical standard related to professional conduct with clients.
- What is expected of an ICF coach when it comes to conflicts of interest?
- How should an ICF coach handle a situation where they realize they are not competent to address a client’s issue?
- What are ICF coaches required to do to maintain their professional boundaries with clients?
- How does the ICF Code of Ethics address the issue of honesty in client communications?
- How should an ICF coach act to promote diversity and inclusion?
If you got stumped along the way (I know I did). You can review the Code of Ethics here to research the answers.
I hope you are remaining attentive to the ICF Competencies in your practice. I sure am. As we continue to learn and grow together as professionals in the coaching field, let’s commit to aligning with the Code of Ethics too.
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Cathy Shaughnessy, MCC, is an active ICF Assessor and ICF Mentor Coach Specialist for ACC, PCC and MCC. A graduate of the Royal Roads University Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching, Cathy has been coaching since 2008 and brings extensive experience as an executive coach, mentor coach, coach educator and assessor to her work with coaches.
Through Perspective In Action, Cathy provides mentor coaching and creates practical resources for coaches preparing for ICF credentials, credentialing exams, renewal and ongoing professional development. Her courses, exam preparation resources and learning tools help coaches deepen their understanding of the ICF Core Competencies, PCC Markers, Code of Ethics and Core Values, and apply that knowledge thoughtfully in their coaching.
Explore Cathy’s mentor coaching, ICF learning and credentialing resources, or subscribe to Cathy’s emails for practical coaching insights, resources and updates.