All of the coaches within our network adhere to the CoachLink Code of Ethics. This code is based on our own beliefs and is modeled after the International Coach Federation's own pledge of ethics.

Our philosophy is based on honoring the client as the ultimate expert in his/her personal and/or professional life. We believe that every client is creative, resourceful and whole.

The responsibility of all of our coaches is to assist each client to:

1. Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve
2. Encourage client self-discovery
3. Evoke client-generated solutions and strategies
4. Hold the client as responsible and accountable

Definition of Coaching

Professional Coaching is an ongoing partnership that helps clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.

In each meeting, the client chooses the focus of conversation, while the coach listens and contributes observations and questions. This interaction creates clarity and moves the client into action. Coaching accelerates the client's progress by providing greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaching concentrates on where clients are today and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be tomorrow.

Pledge of Ethics

As a professional coach, I acknowledge and honor my ethical obligations to my coaching clients and colleagues and to the public at large. I pledge to comply with CoachLink's Standards of Ethical Conduct, to treat people with dignity as free and equal human beings, and to model these standards with those whom I coach. If I breach this Pledge of Ethics or any CoachLink Standards of Ethical Conduct, I agree that CoachLink in its sole discretion may hold me accountable for so doing. I further agree that CoachLink holding me accountable for my breach may include loss of my CoachLink membership or my CoachLink Certification.

CoachLink Standards of Ethical Conduct

• I will conduct myself in a manner that reflects well on coaching as a profession and I will refrain from doing anything that harms the public's understanding or acceptance of coaching as a profession.
• I will identify my level of coaching competence to the best of my ability and I will not overstate my qualifications, expertise or experience as a coach.
• I will, at the beginning of each coaching relationship, ensure that my coaching client understands the terms of the coaching agreement between us.
• I will not claim or imply outcomes that I cannot guarantee.
• I will respect the confidentiality of my client's information, except as otherwise authorized by my client, or as required by law.
• I will obtain permission from each of my clients before releasing their names as clients or references.
• I will be alert to noticing when my client is no longer benefiting from our coaching relationship and thus would be better served by another coach or by another resource and, at that time, I will encourage my client to make that change.
• I will avoid conflicts between my interests and the interests of my clients.
• Whenever the potential for a conflict of interest arises, I will, on a timely basis, discuss the conflict with my client to reach informed agreement with my client on how to deal with it in whatever way best serves my client.
• I will, on a timely basis, disclose to my client all compensation from third parties that I may receive for referrals of, or advice given to, that client.
• I will honor every term of agreements I make with my clients.
• I will not give my clients or any prospective clients information or advice I know to be confidential, misleading or beyond my competence.
• I will coach in a manner compatible with the CoachLink Definition of Coaching and, whenever asked by my clients about my ethical standards, I will inform them of my pledge and agreement to comply with the CoachLink Pledge of Ethics and CoachLink Standards of Ethical Conduct.