ICF Releases New Competencies

The ICF released the long awaited version of their Core Competencies this month, and we are really pleased to see them. We are even more pleased to see that several of the concepts we teach at ICA are now included in the Competencies. 

Download the New Competency Model

Key Changes

Streamlined & Consistent Language

Virtually all existing concepts have been included, some have been merged under new, clearer headings and some have been expanded. There has also been a significant nod to the PCC Markers with language and concepts taken, sometimes word for word, and added to the competencies. The language between Competencies and PCC Markers is now more aligned, and we anticipate this will continue when we see an update of the PCC Markers later this year (nothing major will change here) There has also been a welcome introduction of the use of Plain English, which is great, especially given the coaching community is increasingly global and diverse.

Everybody knows its much harder to say something in 10 words rather than 100. We are pleased to see the ICF have reduced the total word count from 1,537 Words ➔ 1,109 Words.

Developed & Expanded Concepts

There has been an expansion  and renaming of The Coaching Agreement to Coaching Agreements, which now clearly includes the parameters of relationships you might have with a client – Organizational relationships, Overall Client Engagement and Agreement within a Session.

The concept of ‘partnership’ is found throughout the new competencies, with more emphasis being placed on Client’s Equal Voice  and Mutual Accountability

Professional Development and Reflective Practice are not new to coaches or coaching, as we have seen with the emergence and growth of Coach Supervision. It is great to see it now included in the competencies with the addition of Reflection and Self-Regulation

Finally we are really pleased to see the idea of context being named and introduced to the competencies with the addition of Includes Family Structures, Values and Holistic View of Client. At ICA we have a module dedicated to Context, and we teach our coaches to create their own model because we know how important, and influential, context is. 

Impact for Coaches

The impact for ICA coaches will be minimal and for students who are currently enrolled there is no change at all, because as an ACTP we ensure that the training we are delivering is aligned with the ICF competencies. 

We conducted a thorough review of our curriculum when the competencies were released to training providers and found that all our courses and modules are aligned with the new competencies. Concepts like ‘partnership’ and context’ were already embedded into our training, and reflective practice has been a critical part of our program since it began. (Students wanting more detail can check our Support Hub)

For all coaches, there will be a call held on December 10th by the ICF to run through any changes they are planning to assessment and credentialing.  The content of these webinars will be the same, and they will be recorded if you are unable to attend the call.

Summary of New Competencies

1. Demonstrates Ethical Practice
• Demonstrates integrity
• Abides by the ICF Code of Ethics
• Respects confidentiality
• Maintains distinctions with other support professions

2. Embodies a Coaching Mindset
• Engages in ongoing learning and development
• Appreciates client autonomy
• Develops reflective practice

3. Establishes and Maintains Agreements
• Agreement for coaching relationship
•Agreement for overall coaching plan and goals
• Agreement for session goals and objectives

4. Cultivates Trust and Safety
• Creates a safe, supportive environment
• Respects whole person of the client
• Acknowledges the work of the client in the process

5. Maintains Presence
• Maintains full focus on the client
• Demonstrates curiosity
• Manages emotions
• Creates space for reflection

6. Listens Actively
• Engages in holistic listening
• Reflects back to ensure shared understanding
• Integrates understanding of the client to support communication

7. Evokes Awareness
• Asks questions to elicit new insights
• Shares observations to support new learning
• Supports the client in reflection and reframing

8. Facilitates Client Growth
• Facilitate learning into action
• Respects client autonomy
• Celebrates progress
• Partners to close session