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The
International Coach Federation (ICF) has created the
following Pledge of Ethics for all their members. I
promise to strictly abide by these guidelines.
If you feel that I or any other coach have violated
the Pledge of Ethics, I strongly encourage you to
file a formal complaint with the International Coach
Federation. (www.coachfederation.org)
Click on the following links to go
to a specific section of the Pledge of Ethics:
Professional Conduct
at Large
Professional Conduct
with Clients
Confidentiality / Privacy
Conflicts of Interest
The
ICF Pledge of Ethics
As a
professional coach, I acknowledge and agree to honor
my ethical obligations to my coaching clients and
colleagues and to the public at large. I pledge to
comply with the ICF Code of Ethics, to treat people
with dignity as independent and equal human beings,
and to model these standards with those whom I
coach. If I breach this Pledge of Ethics or any part
of the ICF Code of Ethics, I agree that the ICF in
its sole discretion may hold me accountable for so
doing. I further agree that my accountability to the
ICF for any breach may include loss of my ICF
membership and/or my ICF credentials.
The
ICF Standards of Ethical Conduct
Professional
Conduct At Large
- I
will conduct myself in a manner that reflects
positively upon the coaching profession and I
will refrain from engaging in conduct or making
statements that may negatively impact the
public's understanding or acceptance of coaching
as a profession.
- I
will not knowingly make any public statements
that are untrue or misleading, or make false
claims in any written documents relating to the
coaching profession.
- I
will respect different approaches to coaching. I
will honor the efforts and contributions of
others and not misrepresent them as my own.
- I
will be aware of any issues that may potentially
lead to the misuse of my influence by
recognizing the nature of coaching and the way
in which it may affect the lives of others.
- I
will at all times strive to recognize personal
issues that may impair, conflict or interfere
with my coaching performance or my professional
relationships. Whenever the facts and
circumstances necessitate, I will promptly seek
professional assistance and determine the action
to be taken, including whether it is appropriate
to suspend or terminate my coaching
relationship(s).
-
As a trainer or supervisor of current and
potential coaches, I will conduct myself in
accordance with the ICF Code of Ethics in all
training and supervisory situations.
- I
will conduct and report research with
competence, honesty and within recognized
scientific standards. My research will be
carried out with the necessary approval or
consent from those involved, and with an
approach that will reasonably protect
participants from any potential harm. All
research efforts will be performed in a manner
that complies with the laws of the country in
which the research is conducted.
- I
will accurately create, maintain, store and
dispose of any records of work done in relation
to the practice of coaching in a way that
promotes confidentiality and complies with any
applicable laws.
- I
will use ICF member contact information (email
addresses, telephone numbers, etc.) only in the
manner and to the extent authorized by the ICF.
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Professional
Conduct With Clients
- I
will be responsible for setting clear,
appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries
that govern any physical contact that I may have
with my clients.
- I
will not become sexually involved with any of my
clients.
- I
will construct clear agreements with my clients,
and will honor all agreements made in the
context of professional coaching relationships.
- I
will ensure that, prior to or at the initial
session, my coaching client understands the
nature of coaching, the bounds of
confidentiality, financial arrangements and
other terms of the coaching agreement.
- I
will accurately identify my qualifications,
expertise and experience as a coach.
- I
will not intentionally mislead or make false
claims about what my client will receive from
the coaching process or from me as their coach.
- I
will not give my clients or prospective clients
information or advice I know or believe to be
misleading.
- I
will not knowingly exploit any aspect of the
coach-client relationship for my personal,
professional or monetary advantage or benefit.
- I
will respect the client's right to terminate
coaching at any point during the process. I will
be alert to indications that the client is no
longer benefiting from our coaching
relationship.
-
If I believe the client would be better served
by another coach, or by another resource, I will
encourage the client to make a change.
- I
will suggest that my clients seek the services
of other professionals when deemed appropriate
or necessary.
- I
will take all reasonable steps to notify the
appropriate authorities in the event a client
discloses an intention to endanger self or
others.
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Confidentiality/Privacy
- I
will respect the confidentiality of my client's
information, except as otherwise authorized by
my client, or as required by law.
- I
will obtain agreement from my clients before
releasing their names as clients or references,
or any other client identifying information.
- I
will obtain agreement from the person being
coached before releasing information to another
person compensating me.
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Conflicts of Interest
- I
will seek to avoid conflicts between my
interests and the interests of my clients.
-
Whenever any actual conflict of interest or the
potential for a conflict of interest arises, I
will openly disclose it and fully discuss with
my client how to deal with it in whatever way
best serves my client.
- I
will disclose to my client all anticipated
compensation from third parties that I may
receive for referrals of that client.
- I
will only barter for services, goods or other
non-monetary remuneration when it will not
impair the coaching relationship.
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