CLC Coaching Ethics & Professional Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A leadership coach discovers their client is involved in financial fraud that harms third parties. What is the most ethically appropriate first step?
- Immediately report the client to authorities
- Explore the issue within the coaching relationship and encourage the client to take corrective action (Correct answer)
- End the coaching relationship without explanation
- Ignore it since confidentiality is absolute
Correct answer: Explore the issue within the coaching relationship and encourage the client to take corrective action
Coaches should first address the issue within the relationship, encouraging the client to act responsibly, while being aware of any legal reporting obligations.
Question 2: Which scenario best illustrates a dual relationship that a CLC-certified coach should avoid?
- Coaching a client in a different industry than the coach's background
- Coaching a direct family member while also serving as their financial advisor (Correct answer)
- Providing group coaching and individual coaching in the same organization
- Coaching clients across different time zones
Correct answer: Coaching a direct family member while also serving as their financial advisor
A dual relationship occurs when a coach holds multiple roles with the same person, such as coach and financial advisor, which can compromise objectivity.
Question 3: According to ICF ethical standards, what should a coach do when they realize they lack competence to work with a client's specific issue?
- Continue coaching and research the topic between sessions
- Refer the client to a more qualified professional (Correct answer)
- Consult a supervisor and continue without telling the client
- Ask the client to simplify their goals
Correct answer: Refer the client to a more qualified professional
ICF ethics require coaches to refer clients to other professionals when the coach's competence is insufficient to meet the client's needs.
Question 4: A coach receives a gift from a client valued at $500 after a successful engagement. How should the coach handle this?
- Accept it graciously as a sign of appreciation
- Evaluate whether accepting aligns with their organization's gift policy and ethical guidelines (Correct answer)
- Always refuse any gift regardless of value
- Return the gift only if it feels uncomfortable
Correct answer: Evaluate whether accepting aligns with their organization's gift policy and ethical guidelines
Coaches should evaluate gift-giving against their organization's policies and ethical standards to avoid compromising the professional relationship.
Question 5: What does 'informed consent' require a leadership coach to do before beginning a coaching engagement?
- Obtain written permission from the client's employer
- Clearly explain the coaching process, confidentiality limits, fees, and the client's right to withdraw (Correct answer)
- Have the client sign a non-disclosure agreement
- Complete a background check on the client
Correct answer: Clearly explain the coaching process, confidentiality limits, fees, and the client's right to withdraw
Informed consent requires coaches to ensure clients fully understand the nature of coaching, including its limits, costs, and their right to disengage.
Question 6: A coach is working with an executive client when a sponsor (the client's employer) requests detailed progress reports. What is the ethical course of action?
- Provide full reports to the sponsor since they are paying
- Share only what was agreed upon in the initial three-way contracting session (Correct answer)
- Decline all communication with the sponsor
- Let the client decide spontaneously each session
Correct answer: Share only what was agreed upon in the initial three-way contracting session
Boundaries of confidentiality between the coach, client, and sponsor should be established upfront in a three-way contracting session.
Question 7: Which of the following best reflects the ICF core value of 'integrity' in coaching practice?
- Always agreeing with the client's self-assessment
- Being honest about one's coaching qualifications, experience, and limitations (Correct answer)
- Maintaining the same coaching style regardless of client needs
- Sharing client success stories publicly to market services
Correct answer: Being honest about one's coaching qualifications, experience, and limitations
Integrity requires coaches to be truthful and transparent about their credentials, capabilities, and any limitations that could affect the coaching.
CLC Coaching Ethics & Professional Standards 2
A leadership coach discovers their client is involved in financial fraud that harms third parties.
What is the most ethically appropriate first step?