Coaching Fundamentals & Ethics Flashcards

Which of the following best defines coaching in a leadership context?

Answer: Facilitating development and goal achievement

In a leadership context, coaching is about empowering individuals to unlock their potential and achieve their objectives. It involves guiding, supporting, and challenging individuals through questions and insights, rather than simply providing answers or monitoring performance, to foster their growth and self-discovery.

What is a core principle of ethical coaching?

Answer: Maintaining client confidentiality

Maintaining client confidentiality is a cornerstone of ethical coaching. It builds trust between the coach and coachee, ensuring that sensitive information shared during sessions remains private and respected, which is essential for creating a safe and open environment for personal and professional development.

Why is active listening important in coaching?

Answer: To deeply understand the client’s concerns

Active listening is crucial in coaching because it allows the coach to fully grasp the coachee's perspective, feelings, and underlying issues. By paying close attention, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting on what is heard, the coach can build rapport, identify core challenges, and tailor their approach to effectively support the client's growth.

Which behavior violates coaching ethics?

Answer: Forming close personal relationships with clients

Coaching ethics mandate maintaining professional boundaries to ensure objectivity and prevent conflicts of interest. Forming close personal relationships can compromise a coach's impartiality, create dependency, and exploit the inherent power dynamic, thereby violating the trust and integrity essential for ethical coaching practice.

What is a coach's responsibility in helping clients with goal setting?

Answer: Guide clients in developing their own goals

A core principle of coaching is client autonomy and empowerment. The coach's responsibility is to facilitate the client's self-discovery and goal formulation, rather than imposing objectives. This approach ensures that goals are intrinsically motivating and aligned with the client's personal aspirations and values.

How should a coach respond if a client shows emotional distress?

Answer: Refer to a licensed therapist if appropriate

Coaches are not licensed therapists or medical professionals and are not qualified to diagnose or treat mental health conditions. If a client exhibits emotional distress beyond the scope of coaching, the ethical and responsible action is to refer them to a qualified mental health professional who can provide appropriate support and intervention.