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ICF Core Competencies 2025 - What's Changed?
78 Plays1 month ago
In this episode of PRIME SPACE, host Elias Scultori, MCC, unpacks the brand-new 2025 update to the ICF Core Competencies—a milestone that affects every professional coach.
Elias explores the ICF’s rigorous review process, the global collaboration behind the revisions, and the nuances introduced in this new version. From refined language choices to important sub-competency additions, he highlights how these changes impact coaching practice.
But not everything is cause for celebration. Elias also raises concerns about the added complexity and the use of controversial word choices. Through his analysis, he invites listeners to reflect critically on what supports clarity, alignment, and integrity in our profession.
Whether you’re a seasoned coach or new to the field, this episode offers insight, perspective, and an invitation to engage with the future of coaching practice.
🎧 Tune in, review the updates for yourself, and join the conversation.
📥 Download the ICF Core Competencies - v.2025
📥 Download the Comparison Chart
#Coaching #ICF #CoreCompetencies #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #CoachEducation #CoachingMindset #PRIMESPACE #EliasScultori
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Transcript
Introduction to Prime Space Podcast
00:00:03
Speaker
Welcome to Prime Space, a Prime Coaching Academy podcast with your host, Elias Scultori.
00:00:15
Speaker
Coaches, thank you so much for being here and listening to another episode of Prime Space.
ICF Core Competencies Update Announcement
00:00:21
Speaker
Today we have to address a major event in the coaching world.
00:00:28
Speaker
The ICF just released a new version of of our core competencies what about that did you know that there is a new version of our core competencies have you read the new version of the core competencies it's readily available for you in the icf website and i would highly encourage you to pay attention to this and make a little review. The ICF has not only released the core competencies, but ah the ICF also released the document that shows the specific changes and the distinctions. So there are the the previous version of the core competencies and the other version of the core core and the new version in parallel. So it's wonderful document, wonderful resources there for you.
00:01:18
Speaker
Highly encourage you to take a look at that. However, because you are listening of Prime Space... I'm going to give you a preview and give you some thoughts here about these competencies.
The Process of Updating ICF Competencies
00:01:31
Speaker
Every five to seven years, the ICF conducts a job analysis to review our core competencies. And this is wonderful. It really shows the ICF commitment to remaining cure current and ah checking best practice. What has changed? What have we learned?
00:01:53
Speaker
How has the profession developed? And let's make sure that this is ref reflects, that our competencies reflect what is happening in the profession right now.
00:02:05
Speaker
So it's a wonderful process, and it's a it's wonderful that we, as the ICF, are committed to this ongoing review ever so often. ah This is a huge process. It's not a simple thing that happens. This is ah is very involved process with thousands of coaches.
00:02:23
Speaker
The ICF says that they have conducted the interviews with um more than 3,000 coaches all around the world That's amazing. I cannot even imagine the countless volunteer hours that this involved.
00:02:40
Speaker
It took about 14 months for this revision to happen. in money, the amount of money that ah the ICF must have spent in order to ah go through this process. The last update...
Key Changes in Terminology and Glossary
00:02:54
Speaker
was done in 2019 and that was a huge update. This was when we eliminated some of the core competencies. to Some of you that were here before 2019, we had 11 core competencies. Now we have only eight core competencies. We added the competency number two, embodies a coaching mindset. So that was a huge update This one, not so much.
00:03:22
Speaker
this's one with the The one that was released last week, not as, there there isn't a lot of change. there ah There aren't a lot of changes here. But I believe that there are some points that are significant and that we need to pay attention to ah One of the points that I love about this competency, and this is an add-on here, is that the ICF released not only the competencies, but now there is a glossary.
Discussion on Technology and Emotional Management
00:03:49
Speaker
and very important and appreciated appreciated because it clarifies, it supports the clarification of what we are saying in the subcompetencies and the statements that we have there.
00:04:02
Speaker
So let me go through a couple of things here with you. terms there were some terms that were changed or added that i love 1.4 very clearly it's not just the core values but the icf core values which is obvious but very important to have there 2.2 the adding the the term of technology the use of technology wow Technology has so much impact in coaching, has had so much impact in coaching for but since the beginning, but now even more so, especially with the advent of AI. So here is the ICF including ah this term of technology, right? The subcompetency says engages in ongoing learning and development as a coach, including
00:04:54
Speaker
remaining aware of current coaching best practices and use of technology.
00:05:03
Speaker
We changed from regulate one's emotions to manage one's emotions. I love these nuances. so so So small, a change of ah of word, but it clarifies...
00:05:18
Speaker
3.11 instead of the idea of the but partners with the client to end the coaching relationship, parts partners with the client to close the coaching relationship.
New Subcompetencies Overview
00:05:29
Speaker
Much more refined. 6.2 and 6.5 focuses on the, instead of reflectance or summarizes what the client communicated, reflectance summarizes what the client is communicating.
00:05:46
Speaker
Love it. And the one that I love the most, 8.7, where the the ICF says in instead of ah celebrates the client's progress, acknowledges the client's progress. I super love that one because, you know, we can acknowledge without necessarily having to celebrate it.
00:06:09
Speaker
So it's more refined and more and a little bit more clear. This is what these revisions are about. This is fabulous that this happened, and this is what I'm looking for, this refinement of language that ah in these particular terms, I think it's just fabulous here.
00:06:29
Speaker
There are some additional subcompetencies, 2.9, which believe were... ah which i believe it are were Wonderful additions, i think. to point out the nine 2.9, this idea of nurtures openness and curiosity in oneself, the client, and the coaching process.
00:06:48
Speaker
Awesome. This is really ah important ah and part of coaching. 2.10, remains aware of the influence of one's thoughts and behaviors on the client's thoughts.
00:07:03
Speaker
Another great subcompetency and addition there. On 3.12, fabulous, we added this subcompetency, revisits the coaching agreement when necessary to ensure the coaching approach is meeting the client's needs.
00:07:21
Speaker
Yeah, we talk about this in coach training all the time. It's wonderful to have there in the core competencies. There he is the addition of 5.3, which is beautiful. I love it. Remains aware of what is emerging for self and client in the present moment.
00:07:41
Speaker
I feel that this is a little bit redundant to 2.10. Remains aware of the influence of one's thoughts. little but a alert We can split hairs here of the distinction here, but to me, it and the ICF once in a while is guilty of redundancy. And here in this case, ah perhaps a little bit redundant, but the concept is fabulous and I appreciate ah that addition for sure.
00:08:09
Speaker
8.7 is wonderful, the new 8.7. Partners with a client to integrate the learning experience and sustain progress throughout the coaching engagement.
00:08:21
Speaker
this is This really puts the spotlight on the fact that we are there not simply to support the client into ah ah applying the learning or integrate the learning of this particular coaching session of this moment, but we are paying attention of the learning and the progress.
00:08:42
Speaker
of the whole coaching engagement. It is our job to do that. And i that's a wonderful thing. So this is for the beautiful things.
Concerns About Verbosity in Competencies
00:08:52
Speaker
But here, ah couple of things that concerns me.
00:08:57
Speaker
So, competency number two. And you know, we all love quirk core competency number two. It was a tremendous addition from the previous version. However, this is definitely ah the competency that has been most updated.
00:09:14
Speaker
And my main concern here is that we added a lot of words. And you know, when we start adding words, usually does not mean that we are being more clear.
00:09:29
Speaker
Oftentimes when we start becoming more verbose, it's because we don't know what we are saying or we are not ah particularly secure with what we are saying. And then we start adding, trying to clarify, but in the process of clarifying, we just make it more complex and less clear.
00:09:51
Speaker
I think that this happened a little bit here in core competency number two. And here's my thought. like the definition The definition more than doubled. ah And I don't think it added much much more value with the addition.
00:10:08
Speaker
We added two more subcompetencies.
Missing Elements in Updated Competencies
00:10:11
Speaker
And here's my thought. I've always, since the ICF released this,
00:10:19
Speaker
new competency embodies a coaching mindset, I always looked at this competency and I always felt that it was missing something. Because we talk a lot in the the competency, the focus is on the professional development and on the reflective practice of the coach, which is huge and imperative, right?
00:10:43
Speaker
However, I would assume that for every professional in the world, regardless ah of their profession, regardless of their field, they are always trying to remain current, grow, continue education, ref reflect, see what they can do better. i would think that every professional that is committed to their profession would do that.
00:11:07
Speaker
So it's nothing really new for coaches, I think, is even more important that we have the reflective practice. But what is missing here and has always missed for me in the Embodies a Coaching Mindset is what is a coaching mindset and what is a coach does to embody this coaching mindset?
00:11:29
Speaker
We haven't quite clearly defined coaching mindset in our core competencies. So things that for me are missing are like, but for example, recognizes the client's own resourcefulness and capabilities.
00:11:45
Speaker
This idea that we honor the client, that we see the client as capable, as resourceful. and And this is foundational for everything that we do in coaching. It's not about what we know and our our knowledge, and I'm going to talk about that later on.
00:12:01
Speaker
um It's about the client's own resource, when the client the client's own capabilities. And we have never mentioned something like this in the core competency.
00:12:14
Speaker
Strives for a partnership of equals. There isn't much about that in this embodies a coaching mindset. Focuses on the humanity of the client and of ourselves. This idea that we come peer-to-peer in a non-hierarchical process.
00:12:31
Speaker
ah relationship or we strive to not have this hierarchical relationship with the client ah to support them in their own development, that we are experts in coaching and not necessarily there to give, ah to to focus on our resourcefulness.
00:12:52
Speaker
This is not quite clear clarified in the in that competency.
Critique on Subcompetency Changes
00:12:57
Speaker
I didn't mind much when we had the first, the 2019 version, because it was the first time we had the embodies a coaching mindset competency. And I always thought that, oh, maybe in the revision, we are going to be a little bit more clear.
00:13:15
Speaker
So we haven't. We didn't get there. And it's a little bit disappointing to me on on on on that front for competency number two. The other miss for me and a little concerning is statement ah so subcompetency 3.1.
00:13:36
Speaker
Subcompetency 3.1 used to say explains what coaching is and is not and describes the process to the client and relevant stakeholders. Awesome.
00:13:49
Speaker
Here, the new version adds a first part of this statement. Describes one's coaching philosophy and clearly defines what coaching is and is not for potential clients and stakeholders. So I love the second part, which is exactly what we had ah in the previous version.
00:14:11
Speaker
This describes one's coaching philosophy is concerning to me. And if we go to the glossary, remember that we have a glossary, um In the glossary, the definition of coaching philosophy is the underlying theory, beliefs, and principles that guide a coach's practice and interactions with clients.
00:14:35
Speaker
Well... I would hope that as coaches and as professional coaches, we have a unified way of unified theory and principles that we base our practice on.
00:14:56
Speaker
So, you know me, I love pluralism and I love diversity and diversity of thoughts. And I think that coaching benefits from diverse points of view.
00:15:10
Speaker
But I feel that putting coaching philosophy in that so competency is confusing and not clarifying. i would and i would support adding describes one's coaching approach because we do have different approaches.
00:15:28
Speaker
But I would hope that us as a community, that we have a unified ah unified principles that we base our practice on.
00:15:40
Speaker
To me, this opens the door for coaches to create their own principles, especially coaches. quote-unquote coaches, people that use the the term coaching and in the label of coach of coaching without having coach training, without understanding what ah the coaching mindset is.
00:16:00
Speaker
and really In reality, they are doing mentoring, they are doing ah consulting, they are doing training and teaching. ah and calling themselves coaches. it It gives them the ah the opportunity of creating their own philosophies and then sharing with the client.
00:16:19
Speaker
ah I think it's a miss. I would prefer coaching approach than coaching philosophy. Please push back and maybe I'm splitting hairs here.
00:16:30
Speaker
Let me know your thoughts. That's my my point here. The one that i have the that i believe is the most problematic is substandard 7.11.
00:16:47
Speaker
The substandard 7.11 used to say, shares observations, insights, and feelings without attachment, that have the potential to create new learning for the client.
00:17:00
Speaker
And I have spoken extensively here ah in Prime Space and the podcast about the importance of that substandard and that oftentimes we don't even go there. And there is this substandard that is fabulous.
Debate on Including 'Knowledge' in Subcompetencies
00:17:17
Speaker
Well, now the new substandard says shares observations, knowledge, and feelings without attachment that have the potential to create new insights for the client.
00:17:31
Speaker
That word knowledge is problematic, very problematic for me. ah And actually, it's not just for me. ah We had a meeting with some coach educators this this past week, and we talked about that. And the everybody in the room was very explicit to the ICF about the concern with that knowledge.
00:17:54
Speaker
Again, as I said before, we as coaches, we don't rely on our knowledge of the subject matter, our expertise in the subject matter. And we actually, as coach educators, we work very hard for new coaches and students and our mentees to understand what is behind subject this important point and this key characteristic of coaching.
00:18:21
Speaker
ah So I do think that that is a miss. ah The ICF, when the coach educators mentioned it, the ICF came back and the answer was, well, we had a meeting or we had several meetings and several hours discussing this word with other coaches.
00:18:37
Speaker
and we decided to keep the word. Well, I'm sorry, but ah yeah I would invite all of the coaches in that in that room, if you ever consider that word, to go back to coach training and and go back to coaching 101.
Future Revisions and Community Collaboration
00:18:54
Speaker
I cannot imagine any experienced coach ah endorsing the use of that word in our core competencies.
00:19:02
Speaker
So here again, ah i hope that there will be a 2025.2 version of these competencies to tweak a couple of more of these terms.
00:19:13
Speaker
um But here we are, and this is what our our community is all about. Our community is about collaboration. It's about listening. It's about ah noticing different perspectives and appreciating within the community.
00:19:29
Speaker
But it's also ah making sure that we are solid, standing solid on our coaching principles and our coaching ah mindset.
Call to Action for Listeners
00:19:41
Speaker
So there you have, that's my review of the ICF, the new version of the ICF core competencies. I hope that you go and you download these competencies and you do your own revision and let me know, write in the comments or send me an email. Let me know what are what are your thoughts? and Maybe I'm missing something here that i I am not aware of and I would love to learn from you and continue to grow in our in our practice.
00:20:09
Speaker
Please remember, you have to subscribe and subscribe to Prime Space and to our YouTube channel. Don't forget to share these episodes with other coaches. And I will talk with you next time.
00:20:24
Speaker
Take care.