The Importance Of Ethics In Coaching

In a booming industry as unregulated as coaching, it is difficult to navigate – for both coaches and clients – the different practices, approaches, and styles of coaching. This huge variety is a gift because it allows diversity and it enables people to find a coach who will help them answer their specific needs. The other side of the coin is that quality and professionalism are not always a given.

In this context, following ethical standards and opting for a professional conduct are of the utmost importance for coaches.

The Foundation: The Codes of Ethics

The International Coaching Federation (ICF), the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and the Association for Coaching (AC) are the three main professional coaching organisations. Their members and accredited coaches commit to follow certain ethical standards that are clearly stated in a Code of Ethics:

The ICF Code of Ethics,
The Global Code of Ethics, co-signed by the EMCC and the AC.

These two codes of ethics offer a similar view of the professional conduct and behaviours expected from coaches. According to the AC, five themes emerge from coaching codes of ethics:

Do not harm others and oneself.
Act in ways that promote the welfare of other people.
Practice within your scope of competence.
Respect the interests of the client.
Respect the law of the countries in which you operate.

ICF Core Competencies and Ethical Practice

The ICF Core Competencies are deeply intertwined with ethical practice. The first competency is specifically about demonstrating ethical practice. It invites coaches to:

Understand and consistently apply coaching ethics and standards of coaching,
Recognise and address ethical dilemmas as they occur,
Take responsibility for the clients’ safety and psychological and physical wellbeing,
Hold responsibility for the coaching process, outcomes, and accountability.

This competency runs through every coaching interaction, making ethics not just a framework but a requirement for coaching.

Why Ethics Matter: Protection at Every Level

It Protects the Client

A coach who has an ethical practice is clear on what it means and is able to demonstrate it in all their professional interactions. On the client’s side, working with an ethical coach means they are protected from experiencing malpractice, harm or dishonesty from the professional they confide in.

They know the coach will always act in their best interest, will respect and acknowledge their identity, keep the content of their sessions confidential, and avoid any conflict of interest. This is essential to build trust and safety with the coaching professional they choose to work with. Without it, coaching can’t be powerful and meaningful.

What clients can expect from an ethical coach:

Complete confidentiality of all session content
Clear boundaries about the coaching relationship
Honest communication about the coach’s qualifications and experience
Referrals to other professionals when appropriate
No dual relationships that could create conflicts of interest
Respect for the client’s autonomy and decision-making

It protects the coach

Following an ethical code of conduct is also key for the coach’s own protection. It greatly reduces the risk of misunderstanding about the responsibility of the coach and the client, and the definition of coaching (as opposed to therapy, mentoring, etc.).

It provides guidance to the coach on what to do when they face an ethical dilemma in their work. It also emphasises the importance of self-care and professional development for coaches, which includes supervision, mentor coaching, or self-reflection.

When the coach is a member of a professional organisation, they often have access to additional support and resources on coaching ethics, like courses, FAQ, community of practice and an email address to contact. The ICF even has an Ethics hotline!

It Protects the Coaching Profession

We circle back to where we started. The concept of coaching is relatively new compared to therapy and still has so much to prove. The great thing about being a coach is that anyone can become one. The bad thing about being a coach is that anyone can become one.

The moment you call yourself a “coach” – whether you are trained or not, accredited or not – you represent the coaching profession. You carry on your shoulders the perception that your clients have of coaching and of coaches. If they have a good experience, they will talk to others not just about your services, but about coaching as a whole; but if they don’t, they may use their bad experience to never consider coaching ever again.

The ethical practice and professional conduct is here to make sure that coaches are aware of their responsibility towards the profession and their peers, and that they are proud ambassadors of an incredible line of work that makes a difference in people’s lives.

The Red Flags: How to Identify Unethical Coaches

For clients choosing a coach, here are warning signs to watch for:

No clear qualifications or training background
Promises of guaranteed outcomes
Unwillingness to discuss their code of ethics
Pressure to commit to long-term contracts immediately
Inappropriate personal relationships or boundary violations
Lack of confidentiality agreements
Claims to provide therapy or medical advice without appropriate qualifications
No clear coaching agreement or process explanation

Building Your Ethical Foundation as a New Coach

If you’re starting your coaching journey, here’s how to establish strong ethical practices:

Start with training: Choose an ICF-accredited programme that includes comprehensive ethics training.

Study the codes: Read and understand the ICF Code of Ethics and the Global Code of Ethics thoroughly.

Create systems: Develop templates for coaching agreements, confidentiality statements, and referral processes.

Find support: Connect with mentor coaches and supervisors who can guide you through ethical challenges.

Keep learning: Learning about ethics is an on-going process.

Key Takeaways

Ethics in coaching is about creating the conditions where transformation can happen safely and powerfully. Whether you’re a coach building your practice or a client choosing professional support, understanding and prioritising ethics protects everyone involved.

The key here is to remember that ethical practice is not a burden but a gift. It provides the framework within which authentic, powerful coaching relationships can flourish. Make sure you’re not just familiar with ethical codes, but that you’re living them in every client interaction.