Coaching Ethics & Professional Standards Flashcards

A coach feels romantically attracted to a client. According to ICF ethics, the appropriate response is to:

Answer: Seek supervision or consultation and consider whether to transfer the client

ICF ethics prohibit sexual or romantic relationships with clients; a coach experiencing such feelings must seek supervision and likely needs to refer the client to protect both parties.

Which of the following best describes the ICF's stance on coaches giving advice?

Answer: Coaching is fundamentally non-advisory; coaches use questions and reflection rather than prescriptions

ICF coaching methodology centers on client-generated insights through questioning and exploration, distinguishing coaching from consulting or mentoring which are advice-based.

An ICF-credentialed coach is asked to provide a written testimonial endorsing an unapproved coaching school. What ethical consideration applies?

Answer: Decline if endorsing the school could mislead prospective coaches about program quality or accreditation

ICF ethics require honesty and non-deception; endorsing an unaccredited school could mislead consumers about the quality and recognition of the credential.

What must a coach do before using client session recordings for research or training purposes?

Answer: Obtain informed written consent from the client prior to recording and use

ICF standards require explicit informed consent before any recording or use of client sessions for training, research, or demonstration purposes.

A coach realizes midway through an engagement that they lack the expertise to effectively coach the client's specific challenge. What is the ethical course of action?

Answer: Disclose the limitation to the client and offer to refer to a more qualified coach

ICF ethics require coaches to be honest about their competence limitations and act in the client's best interest by facilitating referrals when appropriate.

How should an ICF coach handle a situation where a client's stated goal seems potentially harmful to a third party?

Answer: Explore the goal with the client, share observations about potential impact, and re-examine the coaching agreement

ICF ethics balance client autonomy with responsibility; coaches should explore concerns openly with the client rather than unilaterally acting or ignoring the issue.

According to ICF's ethical framework, who is ultimately responsible for the client's decisions and outcomes?

Answer: The client, since coaching respects client autonomy and self-determination

ICF foundational principles place the locus of responsibility on the client; the coach facilitates growth but does not own the client's choices or results.