Quality Management for Coaching in Organizations

The International Coach Federation (ICF) is the largest professional association of professional coaches worldwide, currently represented in more than 140 countries. The organization stands for uniform quality standards and ethics as well as independent certification systems for coaches and accreditation systems for coaching education. The ICF Charter Chapter Germany has been represented by the ICF Deutschland e.V. since 2001, and is one of the top 10 ICF chapters. Together with ICF Austria and Switzerland (ICF DACH), it is an active member of the Round Table of the 17 most important German-speaking coaching associations (RTC), which advocates for a standardized approach to quality coaching since 2015. The RTC jointly represents a total of approximately 7,000 members and thus 70% of the profession. With more than 700 coaches, the ICF DACH represents 10% of coaches just in the German-speaking region and is therefore one of the strongest partners in the RTC. In cooperation with other European associations, the EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) and the AC (Association of Coaching), with the European Commission the ICF has agreed on a “Code of Conduct” for self-regulation of coaching in Europe. Both papers essentially reflect the ICF core competencies and ethical standards as well as the ICF certification system. They can be viewed on www.coachfederation.de. The ICF Deutschland e.V. is the only professional association for professional coaches in Germany. It stands for worldwide uniform and recognized quality standards. Sub-chapters exist in eleven of the largest German cities, offering monthly networking sessions. Every year, ICF Germany hosts the Coaching Day, the most important professional and public conference of the German Coaching industry (www.coachingtag.com). The German-language Prism Award is given to extraordinary coaching programs during this event. ICF Germany’s Virtuell Education has for years been the largest provider of online continuing education for coaches/trainers, coaching prospects, personnel officers and HR professionals. In cooperation with the ICF Foundation, professional ICF-member coaches have for many years been engaged in volunteer work for social projects and social transformation, e.g. in projects with the United Nations, the Red Cross, refugee projects, the advancement of women and in the education sector. More information on www.coachfederation.de.