Abstract:

This article examines the results of a survey conducted during the Coaching Ethics Forum (CEF) conference 2023, inviting coaches from the event, the CEF email database and LinkedIn. The survey invited participants to examine how reflecting on coaching ethics impacted on their ethical coaching practice.

There were 101 responses to four primary areas:

1. Understanding the background and approaches of our sample.
2. Understanding their view of supervision.
3. Understanding their approach to reflection.
4. Understanding their approach to ethical practice.

The survey participants came from a range of different countries but with a large majority from English-speaking countries. In addition to the data on the background, views, approaches and ethical practice of the coaches, we explored various primary and sub-themes emerging. The group were mainly experienced and trained coaches who held a wide range of prior occupations. Overall, they showed a commitment to supervision (although many did not) and engagement in ethical reflection. The breadth of experience, types of training and diversity of frameworks followed was noteworthy, implying that coaching is very broadly based as a field of practice. We identify some key themes and further questions about the relationship between ethical practice, supervision and ethical reflective practice.