ICF Code of Ethics

1. Introduction

The ICF Code of Ethics describes the core values of the International Coaching Federation (ICF Core Values), ethical principles and ethical standards of behavior for all ICF Professionals. Meeting these ICF ethical standards of behavior is the first of the ICF core coaching competencies (ICF Core Competencies):

"Demonstrates ethical practice: understands and consistently applies coaching ethics and standards."

The ICF Code of Ethics serves to uphold the integrity of ICF and the global coaching profession by:

• Setting standards of conduct consistent with ICF Core Values and ethical principles.
• Guiding ethical reflection, education and decision-making.
• Adjudicating and preserving ICF coach standards through the ICF Ethical Conduct Review (ECR) process.
• Providing the basis for ICF ethics training in ICF-accredited training programs.

The ICF Code of Ethics applies when ICF Professionals represent themselves as such, in any kind of coaching-related interaction. This is regardless of whether a coaching relationship has been established. This Code articulates the ethical obligations of ICF Professionals who are acting in their different roles as coach, coach supervisor, mentor coach, trainer or student coach-in-training, or serving in an ICF Leadership role, as well as Support Personnel.

Although the Ethical Conduct Review (ECR) process is only applicable to ICF Professionals, as is the Pledge, the ICF Staff are also committed to ethical conduct and the Core Values and Ethical Principles that underpin this ICF code of ethics.

The challenge of working ethically means that members will inevitably encounter situations that require responses to unexpected issues, resolution of dilemmas and solutions to problems. This Code of Ethics is intended to assist those persons subject to the Code by directing them to the variety of ethical factors that may need to be taken into consideration and helping to identify alternative ways of approaching ethical behavior.

ICF Professionals who accept the Code of Ethics strive to be ethical, even when doing so involves making difficult decisions or acting courageously.

2. Key Definitions

Client

The individual or team/group being coached, the coach being mentored or supervised, or the coach or the student coach being trained.

Coaching

Partnering with Clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.

Coaching Relationship

A relationship that is established by the ICF Professional and the Client(s)/Sponsor(s) under an agreement or a contract that defines the responsibilities and expectations of each party.

Code

ICF Code of Ethics.

Confidentiality

Protection of any information obtained around the coaching engagement unless consent to release is given.

Conflict of Interest

A situation in which an ICF Professional is involved in multiple interests where serving one interest could work against or be in conflict with another. This could be financial, personal or otherwise.

Equality

A situation in which all people experience inclusion, access to resources and opportunity, regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, immigration status, mental or physical disability, and other areas of human difference.

ICF Professional

Individuals who represent themselves as an ICF Member or ICF Credential-holder, in roles including but not limited to Coach, Coach Supervisor, Mentor Coach, Coach Trainer and Student of Coaching.

ICF Staff

The ICF support personnel who are contracted by the managing company that provides professional management and administrative services on behalf of ICF.

Internal Coach

An individual who is employed within an organization and coaches either part-time or full-time the employees of that organization.

Sponsor

The entity (including its representatives) paying for and/or arranging or defining the coaching services to be provided.

Support Personnel

The people who work for ICF Professionals in support of their Clients.

Systemic Equality

Gender equality, race equality and other forms of equality that are institutionalized in the ethics, core values, policies, structures, and cultures of communities, organizations, nations and society.

3. ICF Core Values and Ethical Principles

The ICF Code of Ethics is based on the ICF Core Values and the actions that flow from them. All values are equally important and support one another. These values are aspirational and should be used as a way to understand and interpret the standards. All ICF Professionals are expected to showcase and propagate these Values in all their interactions.

4. Ethical Standards

The following ethical standards are applied to the professional activities of ICF Professionals:

5. The Pledge of Ethics of the ICF Professional

As an ICF Professional, in accordance with the Standards of the ICF Code of Ethics, I acknowledge and agree to fulfill my ethical and legal obligations to my coaching Client(s), Sponsor(s), colleagues and to the public at large.

If I breach any part of the ICF Code of Ethics, I agree that ICF in its sole discretion may hold me accountable for so doing. I further agree that my accountability to ICF for any breach may include sanctions, such as mandatory additional coach training or other education, or loss of my ICF Membership and / or my ICF Credential.