Coaching with Integrity: Beyond the Rulebook

The rules matter—but integrity in coaching is about how you live them.

If ethical coaching were just about following a rulebook, we’d all just memorize the ICF Code of Ethics and call it a day. But coaching with integrity? That’s a whole different level.

Integrity isn’t about ticking compliance boxes—it’s about who you are when no one’s watching, how you respond when the lines blur, and whether your words and actions truly match. It’s about being the kind of coach your clients can trust—not only because you know the standards, but because you embody them.

The ICF Code of Ethics (updated in 2025) names integrity, professionalism, humanity, collaboration, and equity as core values. These aren’t just lofty ideals; they’re living guideposts for how we show up every day. And if you’re pursuing or renewing an ICF credential, assessors are looking not only for your knowledge of the Code, but also for evidence that you stay aligned with the role of coach.

So what does this look like in real life? Let’s look at a scenario.

When Integrity Gets Tested

Maria was a growing coach with a handful of steady clients when she got a DM from an old colleague, Jason.

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