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The Ethics of Coaching

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Coaching is not a regulated profession but as coaches we hold space for people to be vulnerable; when they’re stuck, when they’re upset, when they’re struggling and even when they are in joy and personal celebration. And, not forgetting, our clients share sensitive professional and personal information with us. We hold space for many things so it’s only right that we uphold the coaching profession, that we uphold safety for our clients and that we uphold safety for ourselves.
The Ethics of Coaching Bryony Rowntree
Image: Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

As a member of the International Coaching Federation, I have pledged to uphold the ICF Code of Ethics. This code of ethics is based on the ICF core values of Professionalism, Collaboration, Humanity and Equity. I don’t find it easy to read through academia or official documents but staying familiar and up to date with this code of ethics is of deep importance to me, as is having supervision, checking in with clients that I’m providing value, remembering why I do this work, and showing up the best I possibly can in every coaching session and for every individual.

In coaching we have a responsibility to nurture and maintain right, healthy, respectful, relationships with our clients and, I would add, with other coaches. Part of our ethics is to uphold the profession, which means applying these values and actions to how we are within the coaching community.

We have a responsibility to uphold and respect what is best for the client and communicate well and regularly with our clients and, where appropriate, their sponsors.

It is up to us as coaches to build trust, to work with our clients in equal relationship, maintaining safety, and having open and honest conversations when the coaching is not providing value, if the client may need a different kind of support, if we have a conflict of interest (or a potential conflict of interest), or if we are concerned about the safety of our client or people around them.

Having honest open conversations about suspending or terminating a coaching relationship weather because I’m not the right coach for them because they’re not ready, because they may need therapy, or for any other reason can be a difficult conversation to have. It takes honesty with oneself and a willingness to be courageous enough to have the conversation with compassion, respect, and openness.

Having a code of ethics, and the values that underpin it, to work from is like having a compass to help find the way, connecting back to what really matters, so those conversations are easier to have; upholding what is best for the client as well as upholding the well-being of myself as a coach – one human in this wonderful profession.

You may be interested in reading; Finding A Coach Who is Right For You

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