In the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics, it states: “I will, at all times, strive to recognize personal issues that may impair, conflict, or interfere with my coaching performance or my professional coaching relationships. Whenever the facts and circumstances necessitate, I will promptly seek professional assistance and determine the action to be taken, including whether it is appropriate to suspend or terminate my coaching relationship(s).”
This means that the coach must be self-aware and transparent with them self. The coach must be aware of their own capacity to effectively serve a client with a particular focus. The coach must be aware of their physical, emotional, and mental energy, and their capacity. Sometimes this means the coach limiting how many clients and/or coaching sessions they can handle. Sometimes it means self-care for the coach. Sometimes it means taking down time.
Examples:
• Some coaches are energized by coaching sessions and others find them exhausting. Wherever on that spectrum an individual coach falls, it is essential they are transparent with them self and schedule accordingly.
• Some coaches are best in the early morning, others later in the day. In addition to a coach knowing what time of day works best for their client, it is important they also know what time of day they will be effective and then plan appropriately.
• When coaches load their calendars for a period of time it is important they are transparent with themselves and schedule free time too.
It is the responsibility of the coach to be fully present and engaged for each coaching session. This involves knowing self, creating a routine to prepare before and after, plus scheduling time away to refresh and refocus.
