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Is the level of coaching of ICF members in average higher than of non-members?
How do we know and how does a certification process play a role here?
Our president, Edmée Schalkx, PCC, forwarded the following question from the ICF Netherlands Chapter Board, to the ICF Coaching World section: Have Questions? The Board Has Answers.
Global ICF Board of Director Ginger Cockerham, MCC, responded:
There are numerous well-respected, talented coaches in the field today – many of which are currently ICF members.
Membership with the ICF comes with many privileges, but also several requirements, including strict adherence to the ICF Code of Ethics and agreement to participate fully in the ICF Ethical Conduct Review Process. Certainly by agreeing to and upholding these requirements, our members are holding themselves to a higher standard in the coaching profession and thus offering potential coaching clients more peace of mind when looking to hire a coach. As the profession matures and continues to grow, so are the ICF Code of Ethics and Ethical Conduct Review Process – to meet the needs of coaches and clients worldwide.
In fact, the Ethics & Standards Committee is currently involved, with other groups, in conducting a regular review of the current code of ethics and discussing possible updates.
Certainly any changes will be communicated to the membership and posted to the ICF Web site.
Coaches who hold or are in the process of acquiring an ICF Credential have gone one step further to ensure potential coaching clients that they hold a proficient understanding and use of the coaching competencies as outlined by the ICF and aren’t just marketing themselves as a coach.
In a self-regulated profession, this commitment to ongoing professional development is increasingly in higher demand by clients.
I really believe the credentialing process is set up in the three layers for creating a rigorous assessment that gives coach applicants the opportunity to demonstrate both the knowledge of and the practice of coaching. When a applicant is given the opportunity to coach and record sessions with existing clients and then to be able to choose the recording they think best demonstrates their ability as a coach for submission, the applicant has a chance to listen and assess their own coaching so they can submit their very best coaching to ICF.
With the next step, an applicant can show his or her knowledge of coaching and the coaching process by taking the written test that concludes with case studies. This is a second opportunity to demonstrate coaching knowledge, awareness and even creativity. The case study instructions encourage innovation and creative approaches.
Then the third step, coaching an assessor live with the second assessor as an observer, is a powerful experience. Especially because the assessor being coached brings a real life situation to the call. This is not a role play–this is ‘just in time’ coaching that allows the applicant a chance to step up and demonstrate their proficiency in ‘real time.’
When a coach succeeds at this process, there is a real awareness of what excellent coaching is. I think the process gives the coach not only insight but confidence to step up and demonstrate a heightened effectiveness with their clients. Hopefully, the new ICF Global Coaching Client Study, which is currently in progress, will give us the empirical data to say ‘we know’ ICF Credentialed coaches are ‘coaching at a higher level.’ Until we get that data, we can only rely on our experience with the credentialing process to make that assumption.
Additionally, ICF Credentials will continue to increase in value and global acceptance as the ICF moves toward aligning and enhancing the credentialing program/process to meet International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards. I encourage all members to stay current on this process by looking for credentialing updates in Coaching World and other member communications.
Note: This new question and answer column was prompted by feedback to the ICF Marketing Survey conducted in February and March this year, in which the ICF member told that he/she wanted more personal interaction and dialogue with the Board of Directors.
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