ICF Core Competency 4: Cultivates Trust and Safety

Summary

In this video, Osama Almosa, MCC, a mentor coach from Jordan, discusses the ICF's updated core competency of cultivating trust and safety in coaching relationships. He explains how creating a psychologically safe and trusting environment allows clients to reflect and explore freely. Mastery of this competency involves empathy, respect for the client’s unique values, and the ability to avoid judgment. Almosa also outlines the evolution of coaching competencies from ACC to PCC to MCC, emphasizing how advanced coaches foster transformation by being fully present and focused on the client's best interests.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cultivating trust and safety in coaching is now a core competency that emphasizes psychological safety, allowing clients to feel secure without judgment.
• 😀 Safety in coaching refers to creating a space where clients can freely express themselves without fear of negative impact on their self-image.
• 😀 Trust is about the coach acting in the best interest of the client, ensuring that their actions are supportive and not self-serving.
• 😀 A successful coaching relationship requires both trust and safety, enabling clients to reflect deeply, explore their values, and make meaningful changes.
• 😀 Experienced coaches demonstrate respect for the client’s individuality, understanding their values, and the context in which they operate.
• 😀 Newer coaches often struggle with ego-driven behaviors such as judgment or imposing their personal values, which can hinder the creation of trust and safety.
• 😀 Coaches should focus on empowering the client, rather than acting as consultants who provide solutions or advice based on their own perceptions.
• 😀 Mastery of this competency involves behavioral indicators such as empathy, respect for the client’s uniqueness, and acknowledgment of their insights.
• 😀 The ICF competency for cultivating trust and safety has evolved, now focusing more on safety and less on intimacy, reflecting a shift in coaching dynamics.
• 😀 The progression from ACC (Associate Certified Coach) to MCC (Master Certified Coach) involves moving from transactional competence to transformational, mindful presence in coaching.
• 😀 At the MCC level, coaches no longer focus on adhering to competency frameworks but instead operate in a spontaneous, flow-driven manner that prioritizes the client’s best interest.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the core competency discussed in the video?

The primary focus of the core competency discussed is cultivating trust and safety in coaching relationships. This involves creating an environment where the client feels safe to express themselves without fear of judgment, and trusting that the coach has their best interests at heart.

Why is psychological safety important in a coaching relationship?

Psychological safety is crucial because it allows the client to engage fully in the coaching process, feel secure in expressing their thoughts and emotions, and be assured that there is no negative impact on their self-image or judgment from the coach.

How does trust contribute to the coaching process?

Trust ensures that the client feels confident that the coach will act in their best interest. This enables the client to open up, reflect deeply on their behaviors and values, and explore personal insights without fear of negative repercussions.

What does Osama Almosa mean by 'the ultimate atmosphere' in coaching?

The 'ultimate atmosphere' refers to the combination of trust and safety, which creates a supportive environment where the client can reflect inwardly, explore their motivations, and work towards personal growth in a coaching session.

What behavioral indicators suggest that a coach has mastered the competency of cultivating trust and safety?

Key indicators include the coach's ability to understand the client's unique context, respect their individuality, show empathy, and acknowledge the client's insights. Additionally, the coach must avoid imposing their own values or judgments on the client.

What is the significance of respecting the client's unique talents and attributes?

Respecting the client's unique talents and attributes helps to build trust and safety by affirming the client’s individuality and encouraging them to share their insights. It shows that the coach values and acknowledges the client's perspective, which fosters a positive coaching relationship.

What common mistake do newer coaches make when trying to establish trust and safety?

Newer coaches often struggle with egocentric behavior, focusing too much on themselves rather than the client. They may also inadvertently judge the client, impose their own value system, or act as consultants by offering solutions instead of empowering the client.

What does Osama Almosa say about the role of judgment in coaching?

Judgment, whether verbal or non-verbal, can undermine trust and safety in a coaching session. Coaches should avoid judging or analyzing the client based on their own values or perspectives. Instead, they should focus on empowering the client to explore their own thoughts and behaviors.

How does the role of the coach differ at various certification levels (ACC, PCC, MCC)?

At the ACC level, coaches are beginning to develop trust and safety, focusing on avoiding consultant behavior. At the PCC level, coaching becomes more transactional, with the coach ensuring competencies are demonstrated. At the MCC level, coaching becomes transformational, with the coach fully present, natural, and spontaneous, focusing on the client's best interests.

What distinguishes MCC coaches from ACC and PCC coaches in terms of presence and coaching style?

MCC coaches differ by being deeply attuned and fully present in the moment. They are not focused on checking off competencies but rather on creating a natural, spontaneous flow in the session, always ensuring the client’s best interests are at the forefront.