What would the coaching profession look like if there were no trust between the coach and client and coach to coach? I suspect there wouldn’t be much of an industry. All of us individually have an impact on the “trust factor” every day we practice coaching and interact with our colleagues. It is because of the thoughtful practice of coaching and the coaching organizations that have helped to build the industry that we have some common standards that, in turn, generate the trust that sustain a coaching marketplace that hires and deploys coaches.
As a member of the Independent Review Board of the International Coach Federation, one of us (our guest editor, Sandi Stewart) has reviewed numerous cases of breaches of the ethics code. More often than not, these breaches aren’t due to mal-intent on the part of coaches, but rather to a lack of understanding of good coaching practices and poor communication with clients and other coaches.
This issue of The Future of Coaching is titled: “Ethics in Action.” It focuses on some of the key things to know about ethics in coaching. It provides steps you can take to build a consciously ethical practice. Two categories of articles appear here (along with a third section that provides valuable coaching resources):
- How do we think about ethics as coaches?
- What are some of the tools that build ethics into our coaching practice?
As you read the articles of this issue, please take some time to reflect on your own practice – what ethical challenges do you face or might you face in the future?
Here’s what’s in this issue:
Section 1: How do we think about ethics as coaches?
In Seeking Ethical Maturity Through Curiosity And Continuous Learning, Kathy Taberner, an executive coach and author on curiosity, offers two principles for continued learning and growth as ethical professionals.
In Case Studies and Good Questions to Ask Yourself, Patrick Williams gives us some real life examples of ethical dilemmas and then some questions to ponder for us to stretch our ethical thinking muscles.
In The Ten Commandments for Game Changers, Thomas Zweifel brings the 10 Commandments to life in the modern age of coaching and shows us the ethical conversation that has been going on for ages.
In It’s Okay…Not Today…But I Support You Guys Anyway, Jonathan Lewis Smith shares his personal challenges in opening people into the possibility of a different ethical mindset.
Section 2: What are some of the tools that build ethics into our coaching practice?
In The Coaching Ethics Code and Coaching Review Process, Sandi Stewart outlines the ethics review process at the International Coach Federation and provides insights into the thinking of the Independent Review Board and it’s continuously improving process.
In Agreements, Terms and Conditions and Why They Matter to You and Your Business!, Janine Schindler’s first contribution to our magazine makes the point that where you start (the contracting phase of an engagement) has a lot to do with where you end up (the outcomes) and how you get there (process and ethics).
In When Ethics Could Collide: Nine Practices, Kathy Taberner offers suggestions to maintain ethical action when different cultures create impact because of different values.
In Ethics in a Historical View & A Framework for Ethical Decision Making, Patrick Williams delves into the deep philosophical roots of ethics and then gives us a method for how to make ethical choices.
Section 3: Additional Resources for Engaging Reflection on Coaching Ethics
In The Coaching Tool Box, Sandi Stewart offers some resources and links for further reading on ethics in our industry.
In this issue’s The Book Shelf, Kathy Taberner reviews Values and Ethics in Coaching by Lardanou, et al. Kathy recommends reading Lardanou’s book for thoughtful approach to what ethics are and how they can be effectively applied in coaching.
Please share your thoughts in the comment space following each essay (immediately after the “Leave a Reply” title). Let’s create a learning dialogue.
Bill Carrier Sandi Stewart
Co-Editor Guest Editor