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International Coach Federation

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Professional body

Contact details

2365 Harrodsburg Road,
Suite A325
Lexington, Kentucky 40504
United States
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Ms. Veronica Lysaght

Key purpose

ICF is advancing the coaching profession so coaching becomes an integral part of society. Our members lead this journey by representing the highest quality in professional coaching.

1. Conducting research of publishable quality in peer-refereed journals
  • Yes

Our research allows coaches to separate fact from fiction, reach sharper conclusions and ultimately make better decisions. At ICF we’re here to arm coaches with the knowledge they need to excel at their craft and their business.
Based on cutting-edge coaching science and industry research, ICF’s academic research is designed to help coach practitioners better understand the issues that impact them and find solutions to their professional challenges.

2. Publishing research and theory on coaching (excluding self publishing) e.g. handbooks and research-based textbooks
  • Yes

The International Coach Federation invests in industry research to demonstrate the highly effective nature of coaching. This allows the community of coaches to stand strong with fresh knowledge of industry trends to inform their daily decisions.

3. Publishing non peer reviewed professional articles, reports and books e.g. coaching industry reports; articles in professional magazines; practitioners’ experience-based books
  • Yes
6. Providing access to coaching research participation
  • Yes

The International Coach Federation invests in industry research to demonstrate the highly effective nature of coaching. This allows the community of coaches to stand strong with fresh knowledge of industry trends to inform their daily decisions.

7. Creating search engines for research based publications
  • Yes

Thousands of articles on coaching research in our research portal. The International Coach Federation is the leader in conducting and providing coaching industry research. With the Research Portal from ICF, the user can quickly see “streams” of research. These streams allow the researcher to view resources in their relation to one another, displaying who has cited this resource and what the resource references are. This method of research gives the most direct and relevant searches to all of the latest research shaping the coaching industry.

8. Organising conferences that include coaching research strands e.g. conference research papers
  • Yes

Our bi-annual conference brings together coaches from all around the globe. Many are presenting on research topics.

10. Generation of documents on good practice and standards e.g. standards of practice and codes of ethics for professional coaching bodies
  • Yes

ICF is committed to maintaining and promoting excellence in coaching. Therefore, ICF expects all members and credentialed coaches (coaches, coach mentors, coaching supervisors, coach trainers or students), to adhere to the elements and principles of ethical conduct: to be competent and integrate ICF Core Competencies effectively in their work.

In line with the ICF core values and ICF definition of coaching, the Code of Ethics is designed to provide appropriate guidelines, accountability and enforceable standards of conduct for all ICF Members and ICF Credential-holders.

11. Providing awards and recognition for coaching knowledge creation
  • Yes

The International Prism Award honors businesses and organizations with coaching programs that:
* Fulfill rigorous professional standards
* Address key strategic goals
* Shape organizational culture
* Yield discernible and measurable positive impacts