The Challenges and Opportunities for Coaches in a diverse world…
...and How We Can Make the World a Better Place 

The world is changing.

As topics like diversity and inclusion come to the forefront of society, as coaches, we are in a unique position to use our skills to make the world a better place.

In fact, the ICF (International Coaching Federation) recently took several concrete steps toward action against systemic inequality in the coaching industry (and in broader communities) and Published a Statement of Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice.

The following statement of principles is the cornerstone of the ICF’s work in this space, and reflects a position every ICF Member, Credential-holder and accredited training provider is invited to subscribe to:

"ICF Members and Credential-holders live and work in more than 140 countries and territories. ICF is a vibrant global community committed to the shared vision of making coaching an integral part of a thriving society. Our mission is to lead the global advancement of coaching."

To do this, we must reflect on our blind spots and be aware of opportunities for improvement. We cannot ignore the challenges that many coaches and coaching clients face due to systemic problems in their communities.

As members of the ICF community, we ascribe to the core values of integrity, excellence, collaboration and respect. The foundation of these values is a shared commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging and justice.

We will place diversity, inclusion, belonging and justice at the forefront of every decision we make within our Association. As we continue the journey toward our vision, we will recommit ourselves to valuing the unique talents, insights and experiences that every coach and client brings to the world.

We believe this is an empowering statement and can make a marked difference in the world… especially when magnified by the vast ICF network… which can have a deep influence with each individual member living according to the statement in their community.

Often an organisation’s Code of Ethics and core values, beliefs, behaviours and intentions are written up without exploring deeply what they mean in behaviours and approaches, added to a website, and perhaps quickly forgotten about.

However, when they’ve been thoroughly researched, purposely designed and thought through - as the ICF has done - they have the ability to empower and inspire each one of us to hold ourselves to a high standard… transforming not only ourselves as coaches, but the entire industry, and as a result our, communities, countries and the world.

Because of the great potential they have to create powerful outcomes, we decided to dive deeper into it and define what ethics and diversity mean in coaching.

Firstly, let’s take a look at the ICF Code of Ethics

Ethics are guided moral principles underlying how coaches behave congruent with ICF’s CORE VALUES.

The CORE VALUES were recently updated to reflect the times we’re living in now, and are as follows:

Professionalism. Collaboration. Humanity. Equity.

These universal values empower, inspire and unite all of us as ICF Members, Credential-holders and believers of professional coaching worldwide.

What are the intentions of these values from the ICF perspective?

Professionalism
We commit to a coaching mindset and professional quality that encompasses responsibility, respect, integrity, competence and excellence.

Collaboration
We commit to develop social connection and community building.

Humanity
We commit to being humane, kind, compassionate and respectful toward others.

Equity
We commit to use a coaching mindset to explore and understand the needs of others so we can practice equitable processes at all times that create equality for all.

It’s worth taking some time to really meditate on each of these and perhaps journal what each one means to you and your coaching practice. Let’s take a look at what is expected of ICF Members when abiding by the Code of Ethics.

To elicit the best in each and every ICF coach, ICF Members and coaches are committed to:

• Ethical behaviour as the foundation of the coaching profession.
• Continued learning in the field of coaching as required.
• Search for continued self-awareness, self-monitoring and self-improvement.
• Acting and being an ethical individual in all professional interactions.
• Full accountability for the responsibility undertaken as an ICF Member and coach.
• Complete engagement with and commitment to the coaching profession, setting an example both to the profession overall and to the community.
• Uphold the highest standards in a manner that reflects positively on the coaching profession.
• Be fully present in each and every interaction in which we engage.
• Recognize and abide by the applicable laws and regulations of each country, municipality and local governing body.
• Provide a safe space for trainers, service providers, coaches and coaches-in-training to learn, excel ethically and strive to become professional coaches of the highest caliber.
• Embrace diversity and inclusion, and value the richness of our global stakeholders.