ICF Core Competencies PDF

Text Description automatically generated **ICF Core Competencies** +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | A. **Foundation** | | | |...

Text Description automatically generated **ICF Core Competencies** +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | A. **Foundation** | | | | | | | | 1. Demonstrates personal integrity and honesty in interactions with | | clients, sponsors, and relevant stakeholders | | | | 2. Is sensitive to clients' identity, environment, experiences, | | values, and beliefs | | | | 3. Uses language appropriate and respectful to clients, sponsors and | | relevant stakeholders | | | | 4. Abides by the ICF Code of Ethics and upholds the Core Values | | | | 5. Maintains confidentiality with client information per stakeholder | | agreements and pertinent laws | | | | 6. Maintains the distinctions between coaching, consulting, | | psychotherapy and other support professions | | | | 7. Refers clients to other support professionals, as appropriate | | | | | | | | 1. Acknowledges that clients are responsible for their own choices | | | | 2. Engages in ongoing learning and development as a coach | | | | 3. Develops an ongoing reflective practice to enhance one's coaching | | | | 4. Remains aware of and open to the influence of context and culture | | on self and others | | | | 5. Uses awareness of self and one's intuition to benefit clients | | | | 6. Develops and maintains the ability to regulate one's emotions | | | | 7. Mentally and emotionally prepares for sessions | | | | 8. Seeks help from outside sources when necessary | | | | | | | | B. **Co-Creating the Relationship** | | | | | | | | 1. Explains what coaching is and is not and describes the process to | | the client and relevant stakeholders | | | | 2. Reaches agreement about what is and is not appropriate in the | | relationship, what is and is not being offered, and the | | responsibilities of the client and relevant stakeholders | | | | 3. Reaches agreement about the guidelines and specific parameters of | | the coaching relationship such as logistics, fees, scheduling, | | duration, termination, confidentiality and inclusion of others | | | | 4. Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to establish | | an overall coaching plan and goals | | | | 5. Partners with the client to determine client-coach compatibility | | | | 6. Partners with the client to identify or reconfirm what they want | | to accomplish in the session | | | | 7. Partners with the client to define what the client believes they | | need to address or resolve to achieve what they want to | | accomplish in the session | | | | 8. Partners with the client to define or reconfirm measures of | | success for what the client wants to accomplish in the coaching | | engagement or individual session | | | | 9. Partners with the client to manage the time and focus of the | | session | | | | 10. Continues coaching in the direction of the client's desired | | outcome unless the client indicates otherwise | | | | 11. Partners with the client to end the coaching relationship in a | | way that honors the experience | | | | | | | | 1. Seeks to understand the client within their context which may | | include their identity, environment, experiences, values, and | | beliefs | | | | 2. Demonstrates respect for the client's identity, perceptions, | | style and language and adapts one's coaching to the client | | | | 3. Acknowledges and respects the client's unique talents, insights | | and work in the coaching process | | | | 4. Shows support, empathy and concern for the client | | | | 5. Acknowledges and supports the client's expression of feelings, | | perceptions, concerns, beliefs, and suggestions | | | | 6. Demonstrates openness and transparency as a way to display | | vulnerability and build trust with the client | | | | | | | | 1. Remains focused, observant, empathetic and responsive to the | | client | | | | 2. Demonstrates curiosity during the coaching process | | | | 3. Manages one's emotions to stay present with the client | | | | 4. Demonstrates confidence in working with strong client emotions | | during the coaching process | | | | 5. Is comfortable working in a space of not knowing | | | | 6. Creates or allows space for silence, pause or reflection | | | | | | | | C. **Communicating Effectively** | | | | | | | | 1. Considers the client's context, identity, environment, | | experiences, values, and beliefs to enhance understanding of what | | the client is communicating | | | | 2. Reflects or summarizes what the client communicated to ensure | | clarity and understanding | | | | 3. Recognizes and inquires when there is more to what the client is | | communicating | | | | 4. Notices, acknowledges and explores the client's emotions, energy | | shifts, non-verbal cues or other behaviors | | | | 5. Integrates the client's words, tone of voice and body language to | | determine the full meaning of what is being communicated | | | | 6. Notices trends in the client's behaviors and emotions across | | sessions to discern themes and patterns | | | | | | | | 1. Considers client experience when deciding what might be most | | useful | | | | 2. Challenges the client as a way to evoke awareness or insight | | | | 3. Asks questions about the client, such as their way of thinking, | | values, needs, wants, and beliefs | | | | 4. Asks questions that help the client explore beyond current | | thinking | | | | 5. Invites the client to share more about their experience in the | | moment | | | | 6. Notices what is working to enhance client progress | | | | 7. Adjusts the coaching approach in response to the client's needs | | | | 8. Helps the client identify factors that influence current and | | future patterns of behavior, thinking or emotion | | | | 9. Invites the client to generate ideas about how they can move | | forward and what they are willing or able to do | | | | 10. Supports the client in reframing perspectives | | | | 11. Shares observations, insights, and feelings, without attachment | | that have the potential to create new learning for the client | | | | | | | | D. **Cultivating Learning and Growth** | | | | | | | | 1. Works with the client to integrate new awareness, insight or | | learning into their worldview and behaviors | | | | 2. Partners with the client to design goals, actions and | | accountability measures that integrate and expand new learning | | | | 3. Acknowledges and supports client autonomy in the design of goals, | | actions, and methods of accountability | | | | 4. Supports the client in identifying potential results or learning | | from identified action steps | | | | 5. Invites the client to consider how to move forward, including | | resources, support, and potential barriers | | | | 6. Partners with the client to summarize learning and insight within | | or between sessions | | | | 7. Celebrates the client's progress and successes | | | | 8. Partners with the client to close the session | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+