Why Ethical Coaching and Professional Standards Matter More Than Ever

Why Ethical Coaching, Proper Training, and Professional Standards Matter More Than Ever

 It was drawn to my attention recently that there has been coverage in the British media and that the BBC produced a documentary concerning a coaching organisation that was formerly based in the United Kingdom and has been the subject of public scrutiny.

The public record shows that the organisation’s UK business entity was placed into insolvency and wound up by the government in the public interest following an investigation. That step is relatively unusual and understandably causes people to pause and ask questions. I make no comment whatsoever on that case, the facts, the individuals involved, or the underlying allegations. That would be inappropriate.

What I have noticed is that the organisation appears to retain an online presence outside the UK. Again, I offer no comment on what that may or may not mean.

What this situation does raise, however — and this is the important point — is the broader issue of unethical or poorly practised coaching. It highlights the reality that some individuals operate as coaches without training, without professional supervision, and without any recognised ethical framework. In some cases, this is opportunism. In others, it is simply a lack of competence or understanding of professional boundaries.

Coaching, as an industry, is not uniformly regulated. That places a responsibility on both practitioners and clients to exercise discernment. Choosing a coach who has received proper training and who abides by a recognised code of ethics is not about elitism or gatekeeping. It is about client protection, integrity, and trust.

This is where professional bodies such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF) play a crucial role.

ICF-aligned coaching is grounded in a clearly articulated Code of Ethics and a globally recognised set of Core Coaching Competencies. These standards exist to protect clients and to ensure that coaching is conducted with professionalism, transparency, confidentiality, and respect for client autonomy.

Becoming an ICF-credentialed coach is not a marketing exercise or a weekend certification. It is a rigorous process. It involves completing accredited coach training, logging substantial verified coaching hours, undertaking mentor coaching with qualified supervisors, and being formally assessed against professional standards. Credentialed coaches are also required to commit to ongoing professional development and ethical accountability.

These safeguards matter. They define what coaching is and what it is not. Ethical coaching is not therapy. It is not persuasion. It is not ideology. And it is certainly not about control or dependency. Ethical coaching is a structured partnership that supports independent thinking, better judgment, and intentional action.

It is important to be fair and balanced here.

Formal training alone does not automatically make someone an excellent coach, and the absence of formal training does not automatically mean someone is a poor one. There are highly effective coaches who have never undertaken formal training, just as there are trained coaches who are less effective in practice.

However, ethical coaching must always be the priority.

For me personally, this is precisely why I chose to train formally. I took a year out, invested significant time, and spent in excess of $30,000 to become a highly trained, ethical executive coach. That decision was not accidental. It likely stems from my professional background as a lawyer, where doing things properly, respecting boundaries, and adhering to standards are not optional — they are fundamental.

That mindset carries directly into my coaching practice.

Ethical coaching means clarity of role. It means confidentiality. It means professional boundaries. It means transparency around fees and scope. It means knowing when coaching is appropriate — and when it is not — and being willing to refer a client elsewhere if their needs fall outside the coaching relationship.

What it does not mean is influence, pressure, dependency, or persuasion.

Finally, it is worth stating this clearly: a small number of poor or high-profile examples do not define an entire profession. It would be incorrect and unfair to conclude that all coaches are unethical, con artists, or cult-like simply because of a handful of cases. That is not the reality I see in professional coaching.

Most ethical, professional coaches are thoughtful, well-trained, and genuinely committed to supporting others in ways that strengthen independence rather than undermine it.

If you are considering working with a coach, I encourage you to ask questions. Ask about training. Ask about ethics. Ask about supervision, boundaries, and accountability. A professional coach will welcome those questions — not resist them.

You can learn more about my approach to ethical executive coaching and the services I offer to lawyers, executives, and business owners in the US and UK at www.petergourri.com.

And if this article helps bring balance, clarity, or reassurance to the conversation, please feel free to share it — it may help others choose wisely.