"Knowledge" in '25 ICF Competencies

As you will be aware the ICF Core Competencies have been revised and during the Coaching Cafe Podcasts we have been diving deeper into some of the more thought-provoking changes. Some are simple to understand, while others invite us—as coaches—to pause and reflect.

This week, we turn our attention to one of the more controversial updates: the introduction of the word ‘knowledge’ in the revised ICF Core Competencies.

The updated competency now states that the coach “shares observations, knowledge, and feelings, without attachment, that have the potential to create new insights for the client.”

But what does this really mean? How do we interpret “knowledge” within the coaching partnership? Does this blur the line between coaching, mentoring, and consulting—or does it expand our understanding of what’s possible in coaching?

Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we explore:
✔️ The context and intent behind this update to the ICF Core Competencies
✔️ How “knowledge” aligns with the ICF definition of coaching
✔️ What this means for your coaching practice and ethical boundaries
✔️ How to share knowledge without attachment—and still evoke awareness

Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or a new coach, this session will challenge your thinking and help you navigate what “knowledge” means in professional coaching today.

Transcripts can be found here:

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