Ethics in Coaching
Coaching is a new profession in some countries in others is not even governmental recognized. Some organizations around the globe have been working seriously about bringing to the business of coaching some statements regarding boundaries, standards, personal and professional development. Before starting to construct a code of ethics it is essential to bring some historical moments of the Coaching world. According to some research ICF (International Coaching Federation) founded by the professional Coach Thomas Leonard in 1995 was the first to create a nonprofit organization and develop some code set of Ethics for coaching. (https://coachfederation.org/history) “1995: Thomas Leonard, with the support of others, founds the International Coach Federation (ICF) in the United States to have space for all coaches to support one another and help grow the profession.“
To have a common accord, understanding, interaction between the two parts Coach and client is necessary agreements. In business, this group of rules established to create mutual respect is called Ethics which means as well “moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity” Google Dictionary. As well, some companies offer accreditations for the members. For example Organizations as EMCC (European Mentoring & coaching Council Ethics Code) assist mentors and clients concerning any matters using their code of ethics. It started in 1992 as EMC (European mentoring Center) and in 2002 was added to coach to the organization. It is established in 61 countries and has over 6000 thousand members.
(https://www.emccouncil.org/about_emcc/history).
IAPC&M (International Institute of Coaching Mentoring ) is another well-known organization which has the ambition as “One of our core purposes is the provision of accreditation to enable organizations to demonstrate that their in-house programmes attain the highest levels of professional standards in the industry.” https://coach-accreditation.services/accreditation/corporate-accreditation/. Coaching is making its firm presence not only in transforming lives but in working hand to hand to the public. In Uniteed Kingdom the International Regulator of Coaching and Mentoring CIC (IRCM) was founded by Andrew Haigh he IRCM and is the only independent Regulator, providing an Ombudsman Service for the Coaching and Mentoring Industry consumers. https://ircm-cic.org/about-us/
To develop an own code of ethics I used some principles given by the organizations above: IAPC&M, EMCC, ICF.
Statements regarding Boundaries
- It is not ethical of the coach to use the skills of other areas of humanistic development like counseling, therapy, psychoanalysis, certain forms of healing or memory regression. As a coach, I am not trained to deal with individuals facing any traumatic disorder. Knowing that the primary job of a coach is to bring the client from point A (where they are) to point B (where they wish to be). As well a good coach should be able to guide the coachee to a professional when they find that the client is not coachable because of any trauma or disorder.
- The coach has the responsibility to keep the boundaries and to maintain a coaching relationship with the client. Institutions like IIC&M, or other critical bodies can give help in case the coach is facing any conflict created by a coaching session situation.
- It is unethically to enter in a physically or emotionally relationship with the client. It is considered a violation and abuse of the client.
Standards - Coaches freely acknowledge the work and contributions of others. Copyrights, trademarks and intellectual property rights are in observation and coaches comply with all laws covering such areas.
- Coaches should not break confidentiality. If we are to help build other people’s lives, we first need to ensure that we have a strong personal foundation. Take good care of ourselves, do not put up with stuff, ” do it until it is done.”
- Mentoring: an effective mentor can acknowledge and help to recognize and manage situations the coach has exceed the limitations of coaching boundaries and to enhance effectiveness and prevent burnout. A coach must have enough basic training to achieve the level of competence and expertise before they commence coaching.
- Financial Agreements: coach complies with all contracts, and business agreements entered into with clients, colleagues, and organizations. We should be aware that once we have a credential, we should take into account that we represent that institution as well.
Professional Standards - As coach make sure that the client has the full understanding of the agreement, terms, and conditions: the cost, the process, the location and frequency of sessions.
- As a coach I should not take advantage of my client’s trust by obtaining sexual, emotional, and financial or any benefit. It is not ethic to prolong a coaching relationship beyond its useful. It is expected from the coach to inform the client when the coaching sessions are no longer bringing the result to the client’s life.
Forbidden Territories - Coaching young people: The best case is through the phone while coaching opposite sex, recognize the transference of feelings and emotions from the child; 1×1 coaching is not recommended alone in the clients or child’s house.
- Coaches should respect religion or beliefs, as well as different values, moral, principles. It is not ethical to promote not one of them. When facing any animosity between them, it is for the best interest that the coach let the client go. It is proper to finish the coaching relationship: When the client reveals addiction that needs professional help. When there is understand by the coach that the client has a better opportunity of self-development by the assistance of counseling or therapy.
Personal Development - Strong foundation: take good care of myself; stay in good shape physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We cannot give what we do not have. Live authentic life and practice what I preach. Do it until it has done (make a list of all unfinished jobs and complete them!).
- Set boundaries (boundaries help conserve our energy and help to simplify our lives, and they prevent problems situations occurring). Set limits like when we can work and when we can not.
- Set high standards- Do we keep our word? Are we responsible for our actions? how about punctual for the sessions? It relevant to mention organizations as the IIC&M ( International Institute of Coaching Mentoring) stated Integrity, Honesty, Transparency, Excellence, Care, Professionalism, Accountability are essential core values as the basis for the professional standard.
Professional Development - When going through examples from clients coaches need to be extreme care about their identities, confidentiality, whereabouts, and well-being the clients. Coaches should ensure that any records that they keep about the client and their coaching sessions are stored carefully, preferably in a locked secure. Held Clients’ name, address and contact details separately from any coaching notes. It is important to attending coaching circles, groups, and coaching community so I can get an understanding of scenarios and situations that I may experience. A professional in coaching business has better opportunities when they keep connection to the coaching community. The relationship with other coaches enables us to grow, share our thoughts and ideas with senior coaches and share our wisdom with junior coaches.
In summarizing these 15 points of code of ethics, was raised the weight of the seriousness that coaching business is taking in the market place. Rules must be established to benefit the coach and the client. Organizations, such as IRCM who stand for regulation where the client has a voice states: “Should any individual or organization fall short of the consumer’s expectations, with the Unified Code of Industry Ethics, these core competencies will be used in the assessment for any Complaint, Disciplinary Procedure, or Ombudsman process.” https://ircm-cic.org/codes-of-conduct/ircm-unified-coaching-and-mentoring-industry-core-competencies/. For years the pioneers of coaching profession around the Globe have been paving respect and trust in the industry of coaching and mentoring. They believe that excellence in the business is primordial to the development and recognition of such skills for individuals to change their paradigm. We follow a code of ethics so that we do not fell in poor behavior, for our own sake and the client. A rentable, payable and trustworthy business requires quality and strong guideline. Coaching reputation is in our hands for the future. We are building now, by holding into ethics and credentials organizations, to see the legacy that others will get in the future.
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