Executive Coaching Code of Ethics

Executive Coaching requires at its heart a strong rapport between clients and coaches, a rapport built on trust. www.coaching-executive.co.uk‘s Code of Ethics ensures our behaviour and standards are clear, consistent and maintained for every single client.

  • The executive coach will respect the dignity of all individuals, conducting them self in a way that respects diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
  • The executive coach must always ensure that the best interests of the client are being served, ensuring no harm either physical or psychological.
  • The executive coach will perform their duties with clear autonomy, personal responsibility and dignity.
  • The executive coach will always have an accredited level of experience and knowledge gained from a highly reputed academic institution.
  • The executive coach will have the capability to work with clients and be able to work within the code at all times.
  • The executive coach will develop & enhance their professional coaching knowledge & expertise through continuous professional development, including courses, research articles & papers, conferences and professional psychology & coaching publications.
  • The executive coach will maintain an ongoing relationship with a supervisor, to ensure their competence and support their development.
  • The executive coach will ensure that the relationship between the coach and client is purely professional and adheres to the coaching contract drawn up between the coach and client/sponsor.
  • The executive coach will ensure that a clear coaching contract is drawn up in advance of any coaching sessions, with a clear understanding by both parties of the expectations from coaching and how those expectations will be met.
  • The executive coach will develop a safe physical and safe psychological environment to allow the focus and the opportunity to develop.
  • The executive coach will at all times operate within the limits of their own competence, recognise where that competence has the potential to be exceeded and where necessary refer the client either to a more experienced executive coach, or support the client in seeking the help of another professional, such as a counsellor, psychotherapist or business/financial advisor.
  • The executive coach will be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest of either a commercial or emotional nature to arise through the coach/mentoring relationship and deal with them quickly and effectively to ensure there is no detriment to the client or sponsor.
  • The executive coach will maintain throughout the level of confidentiality which is appropriate and is agreed at the start of the relationship.
  • The executive coach will disclose information only where explicitly agreed with the client and sponsor (where one exists), unless the coach/mentor believes that there is convincing evidence of serious danger to the client or others if the information is withheld.
  • The executive coach will act within applicable law and not encourage, assist or collude with others engaged in conduct which is dishonest, unlawful, unprofessional or discriminatory.
  • The executive coach will uphold a strict code of conduct around maintaining confidentiality within the coaching relationship. Nothing that is revealed or discussed in a coaching session will be repeated to any third party, in any attributable way. No details of the coaching clients will be distributed amongst other coaches or members of www.coaching-executive.co.uk except for appropriate supervision, which is bound by client confidentiality. The only exceptions to the confidentiality rule are in the case of the client revealing to the executive coach information which indicates that they are breaking the law or likely to physically inflict harm on themselves or others. If the executive coach becomes concerned that any of these issues are arising, they will inform the client immediately, and let them know that they are required to advise an appropriate authority – preferably with the client’s permission.
  • The executive coach will always respond to the client’s learning and development needs as defined by the agenda and coaching contract as agreed in advance.
  • The executive coach will not exploit the client in any manner, including, but not limited to, financial, sexual or those matters within the professional relationship.
  • The executive coach will ensure that the duration of the executive coaching contract is only as long as is necessary for the client/sponsor.
  • The executive coach understands that professional responsibilities as laid out in these code of ethics continue beyond the termination of any executive coaching relationship, including but not limited to client confidentiality, exploitation of the client, safe & secure storage of any client data.
  • The executive coach will demonstrate respect for the variety of different approaches to coaching and mentoring and other individuals in the profession.
  • The executive coach will never represent the work and views of others as their own.
  • The executive coach will ensure that any claim of professional competence, qualifications or accreditation is clearly and accurately explained to potential clients and that no false or misleading claims are made or implied in any published material.

If you have any queries regarding the code of ethics of www.coaching-executive.co.uk please contact william.harte@coaching-executive.co.uk