As I progress through the theory elements of my coaching course I’m struck by the emphasis on integrity and authenticity as a foundational element of what makes a good coach. Both of these concepts often take time to recognise in a person and so the question becomes how do we help a potential client recognise that we are people of integrity? Often the initial session with a coach will be about an hour long and while intuitively we can often judge how we will get on with someone, a coaching relationship does require a level of trust that goes beyond just an ability to get on well.
It is very clear that coaching is a growing, if not booming, industry but as it is unregulated it lends itself to people claiming to be coaches without any qualifications or accountability. Membership to a coaching body requires a fee and if it isn’t a legal requirement, why spend the money? A good coach however will recognise that the investment in accountability is a good one. One of the ways in which a coach can establish trust quickly is to align themselves to the ethical frameworks and coaching organisations that are available to them, and then make this clear to potential clients as a means of being accountable. So, the ground zero, or foundation that everything else is built off for a coaching relationship, is the ethical framework.
While integrity and authenticity take time to be recognised, sharing who you are accountable to (or outside of coaching, that you have people who challenge you) highlights that you take responsibility for your actions, even your mistakes. It also shows that you are willing to allow a complete stranger an opportunity to hold you to your word. If you highlight to them an ethical framework that states you are “Committing to honesty, courage, consistency of action, ethical practice, and the highest standards” then be sure they’ll be keeping an eye out for behaviour that matches.
Ethical frameworks may not be the most interesting to read, but they are a window into what coaching bodies aim to achieve through coaching. If you take a bit of time to look through the window you’ll see an emphasis on shared humanity, self awareness and taking responsibility for own imperfections, recognising the agency and ability of the other to make their own decisions, and a desire to serve others rather than direct or be superior over them. They are also a challenge to a coach (or coach-in-training like myself) for pointing out areas for development.
I’m currently accountable to BPP, the provider of my apprenticeship, (as well as Friends International and the University of Surrey!) and I will be a member of a coaching body once I am qualified. You can find some examples of the frameworks created by coaching bodies below:
The International Coaching Federation (ICF)
The Global Code of Ethics for Coaches, Mentors, and Supervisors
Professional Charter for Coaching, Mentoring, and Supervision of Coaches, Mentors and Supervisors