A Summary of the ICF Code of Ethics

For more detail on the Code of Ethics, please visit the ICF website.

Part One: The ICF Philosophy of Coaching

The International Coach Federation adheres to a form of coaching that honors the client as the expert in his/her life and work and believes that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to:

• Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve
• Encourage client self-discovery
• Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies
• Hold the client responsible and accountable

Part Two: The ICF Definition of Coaching

An ongoing professional relationship that helps people produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses organizations. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.

Part Three: The ICF Standards of Ethical Conduct – 28 Criteria Areas

• Professional Conduct At Large
• Professional Conduct With Clients
• Confidentiality/Privacy
• Conflicts of Interest

Part Four: 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.