(Read Time 5 min)
Every successful coach builds their body of knowledge and practical experience over time. It is a never-ending process filled with discovery; discovery about yourself, your clients, and the world in general. Early in this journey, successful coaches learn that the anchor for coaching skills and behaviors are the core competencies created by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
ICF, considered the gold standard for coaching competency, was founded by professional coach Thomas Leonard in 1995 as a nonprofit organization for fellow coaches to support each other and grow the profession. Today, the ICF campaigns worldwide for the adherence to professional standards within the coaching profession. The ICF Core Coaching Competencies were developed in 1998 and updated in 2019 to support greater understanding of the skills and approaches used by coaches today.
This week we are exploring each of the ICF competencies in relationship to our work as transformational coaches. The Core Competencies are grouped into four domains according to those that fit together logically based on common ways of looking at the competencies in each group.
At the end of this article you will find a link to the ICF website where the core competencies are explained in greater detail. If you are an experienced coach, it is worth your time to read through them as a helpful reminder. If you are a new coach, be sure to become familiar with each of the core competencies and use the detailed list as a personal needs analysis for your own development as a coach.
Domain – Foundation
- Demonstrates Ethical Practice: Understands and consistently applies coaching ethics and standards of coaching.
Transformational coaches understand and adhere to the comprehensive standards and ethics as set forth by the ICF. Since their coaching is intended to uncover client information at a deeper level, they are careful not to cross the line between coaching and therapy, they protect sensitive information, and strictly maintain client confidentiality. - Embodies a coaching mindset: Develops and maintains a mindset that is open curious flexible, and client centered.
Transformational coaches understand the importance of continually developing their own self-awareness. This desire to know more about themselves and how they react in their world allows them to better understand and react to their client’s view of the world. They believe that every client is capable of transformation and that ultimately the client has all the answers.
Domain – Co-Creating the Relationship
- Establishes and Maintains Agreements: Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans, and goals. Establishes agreements for the overall coaching engagement as well as those for each coaching session.
Transformational coaches have processes in place and partner with their clients to create a coaching plan and agree on coaching session objectives. They run their practice professionally and have processes in place to address logistics, fees, scheduling, duration, termination, etc. - Cultivates Trust and Safety: Partners with the client to create a safe supportive environment that allows the client to share freely. Maintains a relationship of mutual respect and trust.
Transformational coaches know how to create the space in which deep discovery can surface and positive change can take hold. It goes beyond the basics of ordinary communication skills and interpersonal skills to a place where the client is comfortable sharing personal insights and stories without which, transformation would be impossible. - Maintains Presence: Is fully conscious and present with the client employing a style that is open, flexible, grounded, and confident.
Above all, the transformational coach is authentic and possesses a high level of emotional intelligence. They have done the work, been coached themselves, have studied their craft, and are the embodiment of what coaching can achieve. They are a product of their product.
Domain – Communicating effectively
- Listens Actively: Focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand what is being communicated in the context of the client systems and to support client self-expression.
Transformational coaches have communication skills on steroids and they aren’t afraid to use silence to allow the client to expand and express their thoughts. They have learned how to quiet their inner mental chatter and focus solely on their clients, consistently encouraging them to examine their thoughts and actions more carefully. - Evokes Awareness: Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor, or analogy.
Transformational coaches are proficient at using silence and questioning to move the coaching conversation into new territory. They take little at face value, always probing for the “Why?” They are expert story tellers and use analogy to introduce a concept or check for understanding.
Domain – Cultivating Learning and Growth
- Facilitates Client Growth: Partners with the client to transform learning and insight into action. Promotes client autonomy in the coaching process.
Transformational coaches are thrilled when a client adopts a coaching lesson or technique and applies it in their life. Skills like reflection, self-awareness, dealing with disappointments, and so many more are learned and used by the client in everyday life. The coach aims for client autonomy with the intention of turning their clients into lifelong learners.
Transformational coaches know that client transformation depends on adhering to the highest standards of coaching ethics and practice. Their clients love them for it, it’s the right thing to do, and a successful coaching practice depends on it.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
Additional Resources
Please take a deeper dive into the ICF Core Competencies. Think about the behaviors listed in detail and compare them to your strengths. You may find one or two that you would really like to work on. Let us know if we can help! We love feedback.
