{"id":12674,"date":"2025-05-13T11:02:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T11:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/?p=12674"},"modified":"2025-04-19T19:48:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T19:48:21","slug":"icf-code-of-ethics-updated-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/icf-code-of-ethics-updated-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"ICF Code of Ethics Updated \u2013 Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Woman
ICF Code of Ethics Updated \u2013 Part 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In this series, we’re exploring ICF’s new code of ethics.\u00a0 It was updated and went live as of April 1, 2025. This is a process that ICF does on a regular basis. \u00a0Three years after the new Code of Ethics is live, they will start the process to review it and update it again.<\/p>\n

This time around, during 2024, I had the privilege of being part of the Leadership Team for the Ethics Review Team.\u00a0 It started with a steering committee; they did surveys and focus groups for input from many different stakeholders in advance.\u00a0 That input was then compiled and shared with the Ethics Review Team.\u00a0 There were three of us that were leaders, and each of us had a sub-team, a smaller group of people. Each of the three groups went through a third of the standards and reviewed and discussed and made recommendations.<\/p>\n

When the work of the review team was complete, the Code of Ethics was presented to the steering committee, and the steering committee then took what they felt was right and good and appropriate for review and approval.\u00a0 Then it was presented to the different boards in the ICF ecosystem for review and approval.\u00a0 There were a lot of changes!<\/p>\n

In the 2020 version, the sections in the Code of Ethics included the Introduction, Key Definitions, ICF Core Values and Ethical Principles, the Ethical Standards themselves, and a pledge. In 2025, the sections are now Purpose, ICF Core Values and Ethical Principles, Commitments for All within the ICF Ecosystem, Ethical Standards for ICF Professionals, the Pledge of Ethics, and now an Appendix with Key Definitions of terms used in the code and a Glossary of other terms.<\/p>\n

A highlight of the specific changes:
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2020 the introduction explained the code itself.\u00a0 In 2025, the purpose replaces the introduction and explains the reasons for the code and the application of it.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2020, there were 13 definitions, and those definitions were in Section 2. \u00a0In 2025, there are 24 definitions plus 12 more terms in the glossary, and those are in the appendix.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2020, the code referenced the core values and ethical principles.\u00a0 In 2025, it now includes the full text for the core values and the principles.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There’s a brand-new section in 2025 called Commitments for All within the ICF Ecosystem. \u00a0What that means to us is it now encompasses staff and volunteers in addition to members and credential holders.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2020, the 28 standards were in five sections organized by area of responsibility. In 2025, the 24 standards are in five sections organized by category.<\/p>\n

Now, take some time and explore exactly what the new Code of Ethics is telling us and what to take away from it. \u00a0Very specifically, in the Code of Ethics under Purpose, it talks about the Code of Ethics being there to uphold the integrity of ICF and the coaching<\/a> profession.\u00a0 It is a resource for all of us to guide reflection and decision making. \u00a0It is used by the Internal Review Board, the Ethics Review Committee, to adjudicate and preserve the integrity of the Code of Ethics and the profession. \u00a0Of course, as a coach training<\/a> school, it is a basis for our education.<\/p>\n

In the section with Core Values and Ethical Principles, the full text is now included. \u00a0ICF has four core values.\u00a0 Each of the core values has multiple ethical principles associated with it. When you actually look at the Code of Ethics now, you’ll see two pages dedicated to the Core Values and Ethical Principles.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Core Value of Professionalism is defined as a commitment to a coaching mindset and professional quality that encompass responsibility, respect, integrity, competence, and excellence.\u00a0 There are a number of ethical principles with the Core Value, and it is important to read each carefully for a complete understanding.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Core Value of Collaboration is defined as a commitment to develop social connection and community building.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Core Value of Humanity is a commitment to being humane, kind, compassionate, and respectful towards others.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Core Value of Equity is a commitment to using a coaching mindset to explore and understand the needs of others so that I can practice equitable processes at all times that create equality for all.
\nThere are a number of Ethical Principles with each Core Value, and it is important to read carefully for a complete understanding.<\/p>\n

When you actually look at the Code of Ethics now, you’ll see two pages dedicated to the Core Values and Ethical Principles.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Core Value of Professionalism is defined as a commitment to a coaching mindset and professional quality that encompass responsibility, respect, integrity, competence, and excellence.\u00a0 There are a number of ethical principles with the Core Value, and it is important to read each carefully for a complete understanding.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Core Value of Collaboration<\/a> is defined as a commitment to develop social connection and community building.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Core Value of Humanity is a commitment to being humane, kind, compassionate, and respectful towards others.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Core Value of Equity is a commitment to using a coaching mindset to explore and understand the needs of others so that I can practice equitable processes at all times that create equality for all.
\nThere are a number of Ethical Principles with each Core Value, and it is important to read carefully for a complete understanding.<\/p>\n

In the Code of Ethics,<\/a> it explains that these Core Values truly are part of the Code of Ethics. They’re a foundation for understanding the Code of Ethics and processing them.<\/p>\n

Commitments for All within the ICF Ecosystem<\/a> is new.\u00a0 It is incredibly significant for us and is a big change in how the document is organized.\u00a0 The language here is fabulous It very specifically tells us:<\/p>\n

Mindfully perform our duties with integrity and accountability by thinking globally, being courageous in our thoughts, actions, and speech, being aware of our impact, and bearing the responsibility of any consequences.
\n\u2022 Commit to excellence through continued personal, professional, and ethical development.
\n\u2022 Remain alert to cultural filters and demonstrate respect for cultures different from our own through open conversations about cross-cultural and multicultural differences.
\n\u2022 Maintain awareness of relationships and how they are influenced by factors including biases, power dynamics, and forms of systemic oppression, and actively address these factors through continuing education and open conversations.
\n\u2022 Cultivate our ethical growth and maturity through continuous self-reflection and increased self-awareness. If an ethical dilemma arises, we will pursue assistance where needed to resolve the matter.
\n\u2022 Respectfully attempt to communicate our concerns with others if we become aware of unethical conduct by them, and if necessary, seek ethical guidance for next steps.
\n\u2022 Communicate with those who need to be informed of the ethical responsibilities established by this Code by providing access to this Code of Ethics.
\n\u2022 Accept that behaving ethically means going beyond what is written in the Code of Ethics.<\/p>\n

In the next blog, we’ll dive into the specific standards that are in the new Code of Ethics. So come back and learn more. \u00a0In the meantime, visit www.Coach-123.com<\/a> and www.CoachCert.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this series, we’re exploring ICF’s new code of ethics.\u00a0 It was updated and went live as of April 1, 2025. This is a process … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12675,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[470,471,40],"tags":[49,2822],"class_list":["post-12674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coaching-resources","category-coaching-skills","category-tools-and-techniques","tag-code-of-ethics","tag-icf-code-of-ethics-updated","latest_post"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12674"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12676,"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12674\/revisions\/12676"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}