Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards

During the prior week, as a class we explored the core competencies of “Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards,” and “Establishing the Coaching Agreement.”

Being able to clearly define and understand International Coach Federations’ (ICF) Code of Ethics and Core Competencies as a student and coach helps with practicing and employing methods that are professional, ethical, engaging, and beneficial for the client.

The reading assignment from chapter 3 – “Listening” from Co-Active Coaching by Kimsey-House, et al., was beneficial as it really covered the levels people engage in while listening and conversing.

• Level I – Internal Listening – is that in which a listener is typically listening with the intent of preparing an immediate response. There are no real pondering thoughts or deep thinking while engaging at this level.

• Level II – Focused Listening – is the art of absorbing not only the words but also expressions, emotions, voice inflection to determine to help determine intent and purpose behind what is being communicated. I find that I most often listen at this level, whether in the act of coaching or general conversation. I usually want to be tuned in to what is being communicated but it comes from a mindset that people talk because they want to be heard so I try to grant that courtesy.

• Level III – Global Listening – described as environmental listening in which the conversation or interaction is viewed at a much higher level. In this setting, the coach is attentive to not only expressions and emotions but also the senses and surroundings and takes a ‘sky view’ approach at getting the client to view their situation and approaches to begin resolving issues.

The reading and exercises from chapter three have made me more aware of the “skill” of listening. I have really tuned in to how others listen and have even (almost subconsciously)