Coach Leadership, Power and Ethical Responsibility

The Inherent Connection between Leadership and Power

The concepts of leadership and power are intrinsically linked. Exercising leadership, whether formally or informally, implies having a certain capacity to influence others, which is a manifestation of power.

From an ethical perspective, it is of utmost importance to make responsible and constructive use of this power whenever we are in a position of leadership or exercise some kind of influence over another person.

This general principle takes on particular relevance when we transfer it to the specific terrain of the coaching relationship.

The Coach as Relative Leader of the Process

If we analyze the dynamics of coaching, we will often observe that the coach exercises a position of relative leadership with respect to the coachee.

This position does not derive from a formal hierarchical authority, but from the fact that it is the coach who possesses the methodological knowledge and the tools that will be implemented to make the process successful.

The coach guides the conversation, proposes exercises, manages the time and maintains the focus of the process.

This functional asymmetry confers to the coach a certain power within the relationship, the power to influence the direction and dynamics of the accompaniment.

Ethical Use of Leadership: Accompaniment, Not Direction

Given this position of relative leadership, the coach must always keep in mind that his or her influence should not be exercised through closed orders or instructions.

Imposing solutions or dictating the path to follow contradicts the very essence of coaching, which seeks the client's autonomy.

On the contrary, the coach's ethical leadership should be based on accompaniment and support.

It is about exerting a positive influence, always for the benefit of the coachee, facilitating his reflection, broadening his perspectives and helping him to discover his own answers, but never usurping his power of decision. The coach leads the process, not the client's life.

Confidentiality: A Key Ethical Responsibility

Another crucial ethical aspect derived from this leadership and power dynamic is confidentiality.

From his or her privileged position, the coach will inevitably have access to private information about intimate aspects of the life, thoughts and feelings of the person he or she is helping.

Protecting this information is a primary ethical responsibility. Under no circumstances should it be shared with third parties unless the coachee gives explicit consent to do so.

This commitment to confidentiality is fundamental to building the necessary trust in the relationship.

Ethical Guiding Principles and Respect for Autonomy

The coaching process, as a whole, should be guided by fundamental ethical principles. These include objectivity (avoiding personal bias), effectiveness (seeking beneficial outcomes), and relationship enhancement (fostering healthy interactions).

Equally important are humility (recognizing one's limits), balance (maintaining a balanced perspective), and self-responsibility (both of the coach in his or her practice and the coachee in his or her process).

The radical importance of adhering to these ethical principles lies in an ultimate foundation: the coach must always respect the will of the coachee and recognize his or her absolute agency in making decisions that affect his or her own life. Coaching empowers, not directs.

Summary

The coach exercises servant leadership, not authority, by guiding the coachee's process of discovery. Their role is to inspire trust and create a safe space, always keeping the focus on the client's goals.

The coach must be aware of the power inherent in his role, which emanates from the vulnerability and trust of the coachee. This power must be used exclusively to empower the client, fostering independence and autonomy.

Ethical responsibility is fundamental: the coach must manage this power with absolute integrity, respecting the coachee's agenda. Ethical leadership implies avoiding manipulation and always prioritizing the client's well-being.