We regard the best interests of the consultee and the promotion of their human dignity as the essential foundation for all interaction. We work to create an environment of trust, respect, safety, challenge and accountability. A coaching relationship motivates the client to achieve their fullest leadership potential. We honor the consultee as the expert in their organizational lives and believe that every person is developing wholeness as a leader. Standing on this foundation, our responsibility is to:

• Discover, clarify, and align with goals the consultee wants to achieve
• Encourage discovery of untapped resources.
• Elicit solutions and strategies
• Hold the consultee responsible and accountable

Coaching is an ongoing relationship that produces positive results. Through the process of coaching, consultees deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their life quality. Coaching is similar to consultation and teaching in that expertise is offered to the consultee regarding specific goals. It is outcome and results oriented as opposed to looking at historical problems. Coaching is not like counseling or psychotherapy because there is not a focus on past issues. We do not identify, test or diagnose mental or medical pathology or disorders. Leadership Coaching works to uncover leadership potential and develop it to the fullest.

The consultee chooses the focus of conversation while the coach listens, observes and asks questions. This interaction creates clarity and moves the consultee into action. Coaching accelerates the consultee's progress by providing greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaching concentrates on where consultees are now and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be as future leaders. We recognizes that results are a matter of the consultee's intentions, choices and actions, supported by the coach's efforts and application of the coaching process.

We maintain the highest ethical standards and commit to:

1. Accept that the fundamental principle is to do no harm and to promote and protect human dignity and diversity.
2. Maintain the highest ethical standards in the publicity and marketing of services, offering only those services in which we have appropriate expertise or training. We accurately identify qualifications, expertise and experience. We work in accordance with this Code of Ethics in all training and supervisory situations.
3. Make clear to consultees what can reasonably be expected of services, and strive to ensure that our clients fully understand the terms of our agreement. We will avoid making false claims, giving misleading information or raising false expectations with our clients.
4. Maintain high levels of confidentiality with all client information. We ensure that our coaching agreements clearly define what information can and can not be disclosed. We will use any coaching contact information (email addresses, telephone numbers, etc.) only in the manner and to the extent authorized by the consultee. We obtain consent from consultees before releasing their names and company name or any other identifying information as references. We obtain agreement from the consultee before releasing information to another person who is paying for the coaching service. We are required by law to take all reasonable steps to notify the appropriate authorities in the event a consultee discloses an intention to harm self or others, or if abuse against a minor child is revealed.
5. Construct clear agreements and honor all agreements made in the context of coaching relationships. We ensure that, prior to or at the initial session, consultees understand the nature of coaching, the bounds of confidentiality, financial arrangements and other terms of the coaching agreement.
6. Accurately create, maintain, store and dispose of any records of work in a way that promotes confidentiality and complies with any applicable laws. It is good business practice to have organized and standardized client records. Records include: (a) Intake and financial information that contains the client's goals, a statement regarding confidentiality and permission to provide services. (b) If appropriate, an exchange of information form with a release to discuss client's situation with a specific person or group. (c) Background form on the history of a client's company, business, or organization. (d) Any assessment information and other data as may be necessary to guide consultation. (e) A record of service with progress notes for each contact, product or service. (f) Billing records comprised of monthly and end of year invoices. All products or services, whether billed for or given free of charge are recorded.
7. Maintain the highest ethical standards in our relationships with our coaching and professional colleagues, respecting their professional contributions and work. We will only use information about other professionals in an appropriate manner. We honor the efforts and contributions of others by giving credit where it is due.
8. Conduct and report research with competence, honesty and within recognized scientific standards. All research will be carried out with the necessary approval or consent from those involved, and with an approach that will reasonably protect participants from any potential harm. All research efforts will be performed in a manner that complies with the laws of the country in which the research is conducted.
9. Be alert to indications that the consultee is no longer benefiting from our consultation relationship. If a coach believes the consultee would be better served by another resource, the coach will encourage the consultee to seek those services. We do not accept compensation from a third party for a referral of that consultee. We respect the consultee's right to terminate coaching at any point during the process and offer a refund of any prepaid fees for future sessions, less a small administrative fee.
10. Conflicts of Interest: We perform services to advance the best interests of the client and seek to avoid conflicts of interest between coach and consultee. Should a conflict of interest or the potential for a conflict of interest arise, we will openly disclose and fully discuss it with the consultee to best serve the client. We stay aware of any issues that may potentially lead to the misuse of influence by recognizing the nature of coaching and the way in which it may affect the lives of others. We do not become involved in any relationships with a consultee outside of the coaching agreement that may compromise objectivity. This includes romantic or sexual contact with consultees. We will not knowingly exploit any aspect of the coach-consultee relationship for personal advantage or benefit. Coaches only trade for services, goods or other non-monetary remuneration when it will not impair the coaching relationship and a fair market value can be objectively established. We strive to recognize personal issues that may impair or interfere with coaching performance. Whenever the facts and circumstances necessitate, the coach will promptly seek assistance and determine the action to be taken, including whether it is appropriate to suspend or terminate a coaching relationship.

*Many of these articles were borrowed from or are identical to the International Coaches Federation. www.coachfederation.org/ICF/ and the World Wide Association of Business Coaches. www.wabccoaches.com