In August of 2009 I was interviewed by Mark Joyella about professional coaching standards, certifications and accreditations. Mark was a journalist for the Coaching Commons, one of the first digital platforms for coaches. I have decided to publish this article again (page 30) since it still holds its value.

A lot has happened in the past 7 years with regard to coaching standards. Both ICF and WABC have since then drafted and implemented their professional standards for their members….but so have many other associations.

In this edition we explore how professional standards affects our coaching services, if at all.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith concludes in her article that “The reason for having standards is quite clear to me. At the end of the day, how can we ask our clients about their own standards (think behaviours) if we do not know and live by our own?”

Apparently more and more coaches are using their own personal professional standards in their coaching practice. Does this mean that there’s a void that the current standards of coaching associations can’t fill?

So, what do you think? Do we need Professional Standards as prescribed by the various coaching associations to keep us on the straight and narrow?