Updated ICF Core Competencies
Released October 2019
Following a rigorous, 24-month coaching practice analysis, the International Coach
Federation is announcing an updated ICF Coaching Core Competency Model. This
competency model is based on evidence collected from more than 1,300 coaches across the
world, including both ICF Members and non-members and representing a diverse range of
coaching disciplines, training backgrounds, coaching styles and experience levels. This
large-scale research initiative validated that much of the existing ICF Core Competency
Model, developed nearly 25 years ago, remains critically important to the practice of
coaching today. Some new elements and themes that emerged from the data have also
been integrated into the model. These include a paramount emphasis on ethical behavior
and confidentiality, the importance of a coaching mindset and ongoing reflective practice, the
critical distinctions between various levels of coaching agreements, the criticality of
partnership between coach and client, and the importance of cultural, systemic and
contextual awareness. These foundational components, combined with emerging themes,
reflect the key elements of coaching practice today and will serve as stronger, more
comprehensive coaching standards for the future. The ICF updated Core Competency
model will go into effect in the second half of 2021.
A. Foundation
1. Demonstrates Ethical Practice
Definition: Understands and consistently applies coaching ethics and standards of coaching
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
2. Embodies a Coaching Mindset
Definition: Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and
client-centered
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
3. Establishes and Maintains Agreements
Definition: Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear
agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans and goals. Establishes
agreements for the overall coaching engagement as well as those for each coaching
session.
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
4. Cultivates Trust and Safety
Definition: Partners with the client to create a safe, supportive environment that
allows the client to share freely. Maintains a relationship of mutual respect and
trust.
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
5. Maintains Presence
Definition: Is fully conscious and present with the client, employing a style that is
open, flexible, grounded and confident
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
6. Listens Actively
Definition: Focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand what
is being communicated in the context of the client systems and to support client
self-expression
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
7. Evokes Awareness
Definition: Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such
as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor or analogy
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
8. Facilitates Client Growth
Definition: Partners with the client to transform learning and insight into action.
Promotes client autonomy in the coaching process.
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