Beyond having a Code of Ethics, excellence in coaching means promoting ethics and providing clients with access to your Code of Ethics. Because the coaching industry is uncontrolled, the more coaches that promote ethics the better. By promoting ethics coaches are educating the public and enhancing the professionalism within the industry.
When you visit websites of coaches, many include their Code of Ethics. If a coach’s website does not include a Code of Ethics, what is the impression of visitors to the site? Savvy individuals will question the lack of a Code of Ethics and those that are unaware remain unaware of the importance of ethics in coaching. Publish your Code of Ethics on your website.
Coaching agreements ideally include either the full Code of Ethics or a link to it online. This supports excellence in coaching because then the client is educated on both ethics in coaching and the integrity of the coach. Give your clients a copy of your Code of Ethics or a link to it online.
The Code of Ethics becomes part of the foundation for trust in a coaching relationship. Because the client can read the Code of Ethics, they have the opportunity to ask you as their coach questions and hold you accountable. By providing the Code of Ethics, you are advising your coaching clients on the parameters of the coaching relationship and as a coach you have a reference for handling concerns.
The Code of Ethics is a tool to protect both the coach and the client.
