Ethical Coaching: How to Use the ICF Code of Ethics in Your Coaching Practice

Ethical decision-making is at the heart of professional coaching—and it’s not always straightforward.

The ICF Code of Ethics (The Code) provides a strong foundation for how coaches engage with clients, navigate complex situations, and uphold the integrity of the profession. But knowing what the Code says and knowing how to apply it in real coaching conversations are two different things.

In this interactive session, Bonnie Stith, PCC, will guide participants through practical ways to recognize, interpret, and apply the ICF Code of Ethics in everyday coaching situations. Through case studies and small-group breakout discussions, participants will explore common ethical dilemmas and learn how to thoughtfully respond when ethics issues arise.

This session is designed to be engaging, reflective, and highly practical—supporting both new and experienced coaches in strengthening their ethical confidence.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Better recognize ethical issues as they emerge in coaching conversations

• Apply the ICF Code of Ethics to real-world coaching scenarios

• Practice ethical decision-making through case study discussions

• Increase confidence in addressing ethical concerns with clients

• Learn from peer perspectives through small-group and large-group dialogue

Attendance earns you 1.5 Core Competency CCEUs

Bonnie Stith, PCC is an ICF-Credentialed Professional Coach, certified mentor coach, and certified coach supervisor.

Bonnie retired from the Central Intelligence Agency after serving as the Director of the Center for Cyber Intelligence, where she led large, diverse teams in accomplishing complex intelligence missions. Her leadership experience in high-stakes, ethically complex environments informs her grounded and practical approach to coaching and supervision.

As a professional coach and consultant, Bonnie supports leaders and organizations in aligning leadership, culture, mission, vision, and values to achieve meaningful outcomes. She is also an experienced public speaker and teaches and mentors coaches in a Level 2 coach training program.

Bonnie brings a unique blend of real-world leadership experience, ethical rigor, and coaching expertise to this session.