What is the first core competency of the ICF Core Competency Model?
Foundation
This includes demonstrating ethical practice and embodying a coaching mindset.
Define Demonstrates Ethical Practice.
Understands and consistently applies coaching ethics and standards of coaching
This includes personal integrity, sensitivity to clients, and maintaining confidentiality.
List the key components of Demonstrates Ethical Practice.
- Personal integrity and honesty
- Sensitivity to clients’ identity, environment, experiences, values, and beliefs
- Appropriate language use
- Abiding by the ICF Code of Ethics
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Distinctions between coaching and other professions
- Referring clients to other support professionals
These components ensure ethical interactions with clients and stakeholders.
What does it mean to Embody a Coaching Mindset?
Engages in ongoing personal and professional learning and development as a coach
This includes working with supervisors or mentors and maintaining a client-centered mindset.
List the aspects of Embodying a Coaching Mindset.
- Acknowledges client responsibility
- Engages in ongoing learning
- Develops reflective practice
- Remains aware of biases and culture
- Uses self-awareness and intuition
- Manages emotions
- Maintains well-being
- Seeks external help when necessary
- Nurtures openness and curiosity
- Aware of influence on clients
These aspects contribute to effective coaching practices.
What is the definition of Establishes and Maintains Agreements?
Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans, and goals
This includes agreements for the overall coaching engagement and individual sessions.
List the components of Establishes and Maintains Agreements.
- Describes coaching philosophy
- Reaches agreement on relationship appropriateness
- Establishes guidelines for the coaching relationship
- Partners to create an overall coaching plan
- Determines client-coach compatibility
- Identifies session goals
- Defines measures of success
- Manages session time and focus
- Closes the coaching relationship respectfully
- Revisits agreements as necessary
These components ensure clarity and mutual understanding in the coaching process.
Define Cultivates Trust and Safety.
Partners with the client to create a safe, supportive environment that allows the client to share freely
This involves mutual respect and trust.
List the key elements of Cultivates Trust and Safety.
- Understands the client’s context
- Demonstrates respect for the client’s identity
- Acknowledges client’s unique talents
- Shows support and empathy
- Acknowledges client’s feelings and suggestions
- Demonstrates openness and transparency
These elements foster a trusting coaching relationship.
What does it mean to Maintain Presence?
Is fully conscious and present with the client, employing an open, flexible, grounded, and confident style
This is crucial for effective coaching interactions.
List the aspects of Maintaining Presence.
- Remains focused and observant
- Demonstrates curiosity
- Aware of present moment dynamics
- Manages emotions
- Confident in handling strong emotions
- Comfortable with uncertainty
- Creates space for reflection
These aspects enhance the coaching experience.
Define Listens Actively.
Focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand communication
This supports client self-expression.
List the components of Listening Actively.
- Considers client’s context
- Reflects or summarizes communication
- Recognizes when more is needed
- Notices client’s emotions and non-verbal cues
- Integrates client’s words and body language
- Notices trends in behaviors and emotions
These components enhance understanding and support for the client.
What is the definition of Evokes Awareness?
Facilitates client insight and learning using tools and techniques
This includes powerful questioning and metaphor.
List the techniques used in Evoking Awareness.
- Considers client experience
- Challenges the client
- Asks exploratory questions
- Invites client sharing
- Notices what enhances progress
- Adjusts coaching approach
- Helps identify behavioral influences
- Invites idea generation
- Supports reframing perspectives
- Shares observations without attachment
These techniques promote client insight and growth.
Define Facilitates Client Growth.
Partners with the client to transform learning and insight into action
This promotes client autonomy in the coaching process.
List the components of Facilitating Client Growth.
- Works to integrate new awareness
- Designs goals and actions with the client
- Supports client autonomy
- Identifies potential results from actions
- Invites consideration of moving forward
- Summarizes learning within sessions
- Integrates learning throughout engagement
- Acknowledges progress and successes
- Partners to close the session
These components ensure effective client growth and learning.
