Overview of ICF Core Competencies

International Coach Federation - Golden Standard of Coaching

• Founded in 1995 with the goal of creating a

community where all coaches can support each
other and help develop the profession
• A global study of over 1,300 coaches worldwide
across a wide range of backgrounds and
experience levels
• ICF Competences - Qualities and Skills of Top
Coaches
• 8 core competencies of a coach
• Each competence contains markers - indicators
1. Demonstrates
Ethical Practice
1. Abides by the ICF Code of Ethics and
upholds the Core Values
2. Maintains confidentiality with client
information per stakeholder
agreements and pertinent laws
3. Ability to assess a client's need
(coaching or therapy)
How the correct behavior of the coach
creates long-term success in interaction
2. Embodies a
Coaching Mindset

1. Transparency
2. Curiosity
3. Flexibility
4. Customer Orientation
5. Continuous learning
and development
6. Reflective practice
7. Preparing for sessions
3. Establishes and
Maintains Agreements
1. What he/she wants to achieve in
this session.
2. Criteria for measuring success.
3. Importance and value.
4. Where to direct your energy to
achieve the result for the session.
5. Following the client in the direction
of the desired.
3 golden questions
of The Agreement
What do you have today in your mind?

1. What exactly do you want as a result of

this session?
2. Why is this important to you?
3. How will you know that you have
achieved this at the end of the session?

How would you like to start your research?

4. Cultivates Trust
and Safety
1. Recognizing and respecting the
client's work in the coaching
process

2. Support of the client

3. The client expresses himself fully

 5 Golden Questions for
TRUST AND SAFETY
1.Is there anything I need to tell about
myself or the process? Do you need to talk
about the moments that can make our
work more comfortable for you?
2.Would you let me share with you my
observations?
3.What have you already thought about it?
4.How do you feel when you talk about this
dream?
5.Is there anything that would be important
for me to ask you now or tell you?
5. Maintains Presence
1. Holistic perception of the client (personality,
contract)
2. The coach is observant, sensitive, and easily
responsive.
3. Study of the change in the client's energy.
4. The manifestation of curiosity.
5. Collaboration with the client to create a session.
6. The coach cooperates with the client, inviting
him to respond in any way to the coach's input,
and accepts the client's response.
7. Repetition and summation of the previously
listed possibilities.
8. Support in the formulation and awareness of
WHAT, WHO and NEW KNOWLEDGE.
 6. Listens Actively
1.Observations and questions are individual and
based on what the coach has learned as well as
who the client is (WHO) and what their
situation is (WHAT).
2.Research and refinement of the client's
language.
3.Research and clarification of the client's
emotions.
4.Studying the voice and adjusting it depending
on the situation.
5.Research and clarification of the client's
behavior.
6.A study of the client's perception of the world.
7.The coach maintains silence and gives the client
time to think.
7. Evokes Awareness
1. The coach invites the client to share and/or
explore what he/she has learned in the session
about their situation (WHAT).
2. The coach invites the client to share and/or
explore what he/she has learned in the session
about themselves (WHO).
3. The coach shares what he/she has observed
about the client and/or his/her situation, asking
the client to participate or explore.
4. The coach invites the client to consider how
he/she will use the new knowledge gained in
coaching.
5. Coaching questions, intuition and observation
have the potential to create new knowledge for
the client.
8. Cultivating
Learning and Growth
• 1. The coach invites the client to explore
progress towards the client's goal for the
session.
• 2. The coach helps the client to plan actions
and ideas that he/she will implement after the
session to continue moving towards their
desired results.
• 3. The coach invites the client to explore their
progress, including, where appropriate, support
mechanisms, resources, and potential barriers.
• 4. The coach assists the client in developing the
best methods of accountability for him/her.
• 5. The coach makes arrangements with the
client to end the session.
• 6. The coach notices the client's progress and
informs him/her of this.
3 Golden Questions
for Mindfulness
What is the most important thing in what
you have spoken?
What about is this for you?
What do you feel when you say it?
1. What did you learn about the situation
today?
2. What did you learn about yourself
today?
3. How can you use these realizations in
your real life?
5 Golden Questions for
Progress and Responsibility
1. BASED ON THE SESSION'S
REALISATIONS, WHAT DO YOU PLAN
TO DO NOW?
2. WHAT COULD SUPPORT YOU IN THIS?
3. WHAT MAY INTERFERE?
4. DO YOU WANT TO DETERMINE FOR
YOURSELF THE WAY FOR BEING
RESPONSIBLE?
THANKS TO THE CUSTOMER FOR THE
EXPERIENCE
5. CAN WE END THE SESSION NOW?
PLEASE SHARE
WHAT DID
YOU GET
TODAY