MentorCoach is proud to announce the following exciting master class:
Safe Passage
The New Ethics and Risk Management Master Class
Led by Scott Howard, JD, MCC, CEC, PCC
Safe Passage
Starts January 2020
10 classes of 60 minutes each
10 hours of CEs and ICF CCEUs
10 hours toward CMC Coach Certification
Required for CMC Coach Certification
Tuition:
$595
Or 3 Payments of $210
(*plus optional $75 for CEs)
1. About the Class
Safe Passage: The New Ethics and Risk Management Master Class is a ten week learning experience that acknowledges the intellect and experience that we as student professionals, all connected by coaching, bring to the discussion and analysis of ethics.
The objectives are simple: increase your awareness of ethical situations that are common in coaching and provide some of the tools to help you gracefully navigate through them.
We’ll also assess the risks associated not just with coaching, but also with starting a new business and being a solo practitioner. I intend for the content to be interesting and important. I’ll also be committed to leveraging the experience that every participant brings to the class to enhance our discussion and to build a community of shared expertise.
We’ll start by examining the definition of coaching, the nuances of different types of coaching and how, like most professions, ethical situations can and will arise. An in-depth, but engaging analysis of the International Coach Federation’s Code of Ethics and related materials will increase your resources and confidence in navigating through questionable circumstances.
As a group we’ll discuss specific questions regarding client privacy, multiple relationships, conflicts, and other situations. And we’ll talk about the most common mistakes coaches make and the best ways to avoid them.
We’ll give special attention to coaching’s uniqueness as a self-regulating profession, and the responsibility of all coaches to honor the spirit of the Code of Ethics in maintaining and promoting excellence in coaching. We’ll do this by analyzing both the Code and coaching’s core competencies and discovering how these tools work together to serve coaches and advance the profession. Plus I’ll give you a specific ethical framework to help you build awareness and mitigate uncertainty as you move forward in our shared profession.
It’s true this master class is required for MentorCoach certification. But it’s also an essential resource for all coaches actively working with clients.
It will be especially valuable for professional coaches who will ultimately qualify for ICF certification.
And most important, this master class will lay the introductory foundation for you to have a continuing ethics discussion so critical to our emerging profession.
2. What this class is NOT
- This class is not your one time exploration of risk and ethical issues–rather, consider it the catalyst to your becoming aware of the numerous issues that can get a professional into hot water and the many resources at your disposal.
- In this class, Scott will not attempt to answer every question that can arise for those ‘dual-hatted’ folks who are both coaches and professionals in a second or third discipline. EXAMPLE: Scott is a lawyer. It’s his responsibility to communicate with the state bar authorities and ensure he is current in all his professional responsibilities including ensuring that other professions (such as coaching) that he may engage in are not in conflict with his responsibilities as a lawyer.
- There are more than 50 state jurisdictions in the United States, and many more local, city, county jurisdictions. Additionally, MentorCoach has international students from countries where multiple jurisdictions are involved just like here in the US. As such, this course cannot possibly address the specific legal requirements for where you plan on coaching. We will discuss and explore ways in which the new coach can easily learn the resources near them to make sure they are in compliance with local regulations.
Our course does not have time to examine every question that might arise for attorneys just as it cannot for licensed psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, pastoral counselors or, indeed, CPAs. But we’ll help you sense when there’s a problem and show you ways to find help and guidance.
While Scott is a lawyer and will often discuss legal questions, in no way does this class, the instruction, or the materials offered constitute legal advice.
3. What’s Different About This Ethics Class?
We are expanding the scope of curriculum to focus on issues relative to specific certification tracks at MentorCoach–Wellness Coaches, ADHD Coaches, Executive Coaches, etc. Historically, many non-coaches have taken this class and we want this new format to be even more inclusive of those professionals drawing from their experience and perspective. Coaching is a global profession and MentorCoach is fortunate to have students attending from many countries and cultures. As such, we’ll encourage discourse and examine ethics and business from a global perspective. This is especially important since many MentorCoach graduates go on to coach clients around the world.
I’ll include additional content that creates awareness around risk with regard to business practices and your professional reputation. As such, two extra hours have been added to the class.
4. Who Should Attend?
While this class is geared to coaching professionals, consultants, clinicians and just about anyone can benefit from its rich content and in-depth examination of ethical questions. Risk management is important in any profession–this is especially so for those operating their own business. International students will benefit just as much US students in that much of the subject matter will apply whether you’re coaching in Dubai or Des Moines. We’ll cover best practices for small businesses, including business entities, customer service, insurance considerations, and more. This is a new and exciting master class for MentorCoach. If you have previously taken Eric Harris’ Ethics class, you may choose to take this one as well. (Every space in this class is at a premium and students taking it a second time, as a new course, are, of course, responsible for the full tuition.) Taken a second time, this course can count as an elective toward MentorCoach certification. More important, you’ll experience a wonderful teacher bringing new, valuable information.
5. What will you get from this class?
You’ll walk away from this class with a stronger appreciation of ethical issues and how they can manifest in your work. By the end, you’ll become highly attuned to all that you don’t know and much more prepared for professional uncertainties. Every week, we’ll add to your resources so that at the end of the ten weeks you’ll have an “ethics tool bag” that will include information, references, texts, and links to help address future ethical issues. Further, we’ll bring together a community of professionals with enormous experience. I’ll encourage the class to use the students shared expertise as a sounding board for ethical issues long after the class has ended.
6. Scott’s Personal Philosophy on Risk Management
On every ship I ever sailed, the captain has had “standing orders”. These were detailed instructions to the person driving the ship on when the captain wanted to be called to the bridge, day or night for specific situations. It was simple–don’t hesitate about it, just call the captain. Always, no matter the ship, no matter the captain, the last standing order listed consistently read:
While you are on watch if a situation starts to unfold or circumstances become uncomfortable and you think to yourself, “I wonder if I should call the captain?” then my philosophy is you should have already called. Follow your instincts, I will never question your decision to interrupt me at any time, but indecision or poor judgment could endanger the ship and the crew.
In this new master class, I want to create ethical awareness so that you know when to call out for help–before it’s too late. And provide you both the resources and a community to reach out to so you are not stranded and left high and dry.
7. Week by Week Roadmap
Week 1
Why ethics
What is a code of ethics
Why both are important to the ICF & the profession
Building an ethical tool bag
Week 2
Coaching and regulation or licensing
ICF & self-regulation
State regulation implications discussion
Punitive actions – a hierarchy
Week 3
ICF Code of Ethics discussion and analysis
Core competency comparison
Week 4
ICF Code of Ethics discussion and analysis (cont.)
Core competency comparison
Week 5
The Coaching Agreement
Who’s the client? discussion
An ethical framework
Week 6
Ethics and MentorCoach companion curricula (considerations for ADHD coaches, wellness coaches, and executive coaches)
Emerging issues
Case studies
Week 7
Risk management
Coaching and other licensed/ regulated professions (a five state comparison)
Common pitfalls
Week 8
Risk management – business practices (customer service discussion, documentation and document management, professional image).
Week 9
Risk management – business entities, professional reputation
Week 10
Risk management – insurance, mitigation strategies
8. Case Considerations
- You’re an internal wellness coach employed by a large corporation. Part of your suite of services includes coaching those employees interested in smoking cessation. A client that was making progress has completely failed the smoking cessation program. You are required to report the client’s non-compliance. Implications?
- You’re an independent executive coach and a midsized business is considering your services for a struggling executive. This is a great opportunity for you to break into the corporate world. The sponsor indicates to you that the leadership has already decided to terminate the executive and there is nothing that can dissuade them and says “…we are just trying to make it appear that we have done everything possible to save his career before we sack him.” Do you take the job?
- You’ve had a few face-to-face coaching sessions with a life coaching client and all was going well. At your next session, the client tells you they are attracted to you and they place their hand on your knee. What are your courses of action?
9. Open to All
There are no prerequisites for this class. It is open to all, both from within the MentorCoach Community and without. We frequently welcome students from other coach training programs as well.
10. Course Tuition
Single Payment
$595 (+ optional CE fee*)
For CE information, see #13 below.
Monthly Payments
Three monthly payments of $210 (+ optional CEU* fee)
For CE information, see #13 below.
*The CE fee is $75. Only register for CEs if you are a licensed mental health professional in the US and need CEs from one of the organizations listed in #15 below. Otherwise, when you register, indicate that you do not need the CE fee by choosing the “Base Unit Price with NO CEU’s” registration option. (There is no fee for ICF CCEs.)
Enrollment Will Be Limited. First Come; First Served.
11. Coach Certification
This class provides ten hours toward MentorCoach Certification as an elective for students meeting the class attendance requirement (See #14 below.) It can also provide 10 hours toward ICF Certification via an Accredited Coach Training Program such as MentorCoach or via the ICF Portfolio Approach.
This class is required for or relevant to every one of MentorCoach’s specific certification programs as well.
12. ICF Coach Continuing Education
Live Class Attendance. This class is approved for 10 hours of CCEs from the International Coach Federation for students meeting the class attendance requirement (see #14 below). There is no fee for ICF CCEs.
Listening by Recording. For students who will be listening to this class by recording, this class approved for 10 CCEs (ICF Resource Development) from the International Coach Federation for students meeting the class attendance requirement for listening by recording (see #14 below).
13. CEs
This class is approved for ten hours of CEs for social workers (NASW) and Marriage and Family Therapists in California (BBS). The CE administration fee is $75.
To receive credit for CEs, students must pay the CE fee and be present for 8 classes.
Note: The CE fee applies only if you are a licensed mental health professional in the US and need CEs from one of the organizations listed above. Otherwise, when you register, indicate that you do not need to pay the CE fee by choosing the “Base Unit Price with NO CE’s” registration option.
14. Attendance Requirements
Every class is recorded. You may listen to some or all of the classes by recording at your leisure.
However, to receive credit for CEs, ICF CCEs (Core Competencies), credit toward MentorCoach Certification, or to receive a Certificate of Completion, you must be present for 8 of the 10 classes.
Listening to the class by recording does not count toward the 80% live attendance requirement for receiving CEs, credit toward MentorCoach Certification, ICF CCEs (Core Coaching Competencies), or a Class Certificate of Completion.
However, you can earn ten hours of ICF CCEs (Resource Development) (pending approval) by listening to all ten sessions. You must notify Scott that you are planning to take the class by recording.
Listening by Recording.
Every class is recorded. Some students may listen to some or all of the classes by recording at their leisure, sometimes emailing in questions to Scott between classes. We applaud and support this practice. We know one well-known Australian professor who used to end his week listening to the recordings of Chris Peterson’s lectures on Friday evenings, drinking white wine and reclining in his hot tub.
Note: Listening to all ten sessions of the class by recording DOES qualify the student to receive ten hours of ICF CCEUs (Resource Development) (pending approval). For students who will be listening to this class by recording, this class is pending approval for 10 hours of ICF CCEs (Resource Development) from the International Coach Federation. To qualify for these ICF CCEs, they must notify Scott early in the course of their intent to take the class by recording. Attendance-by-recording students must listen to all recordings and submit all class attendance codes within a week after the final class. They may also be asked to pass an open-book exam over the course content.
15. Refund Policy
You may withdraw your registration at any time before the beginning of the second one hour class and receive a full refund. You are responsible for the full tuition amount if you do not withdraw before the beginning of the second class.
About Scott Howard, JD, MCC, CEC, PCC
As a senior officer in the United States Coast Guard, Scott has over 20 years of experience leading people and groups in professional and personal development.
He discovered the power of coaching when he trained new officers to navigate and drive Coast Guard ships for law enforcement, search and rescue and pollution response operations.
Having served on seven Coast Guard ships and five support units in various leadership positions, he’s helped to organize and execute many nationally significant operations including homeland security initiatives following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and recovery operations for the TWA Flight 800 and EgyptAir Flight 990 air disasters.
He has received extensive training on operational risk management in the military law enforcement environment and conducted safety and real-time risk analysis on scene for floundering ships, migrant interdiction, and at-risk flight operations.
Throughout his career, Scott leveraged a combination of expertise, intuition and empowerment to bring out the best in team members and instill confidence to overcome leadership and technical challenges.
Scott is also a lawyer admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia and Maryland. As a military judge advocate, he served as a prosecutor at general and special courts-martial and served as summary courts-martial in criminal legal proceedings. His duties included advising flag officers and senior civilian officials on sensitive legal, administrative, and ethical matters.
Later, Scott was assigned as the deputy of the Coast Guard’s Legal and Defense Service overseeing appellate cases, physical disability evaluation and defense counsel services to thousands of Coast Guard members throughout the nation. In his role as a supervising judge advocate, Scott used coaching skills to help newly admitted attorneys focus on performance outcomes and maximize leadership potential.
His most recent assignment was as the Chief of the Mission Execution Branch at the Coast Guard Recruiting Command where he led a force of 300 recruiters in meeting the Coast Guard’s human resource mission.
Once again, Scott employed coaching skills and extraordinary leadership to consistently meet service needs while maximizing staff performance metrics.
Scott is passionate about educating fellow coaches on ethics and risk management and he approaches the subject matter from the perspective of advancing the coaching profession. Scott believes that as self-regulated professionals, coaches must abide by solid ethical standards and business practices that are in step with demonstrating the value of coaching while consistently enhancing quality. A seafarer at heart, Scott has used buoys and lighthouses to keep his ships safe from harm, likewise in this master class, he’ll set a course that, as long as you follow it, will keep you and your career from ‘running aground’.
Scott gives full credit to his personal and professional success to his husband, also named Scott. They have two amazing sons and always have dogs around. Scott loves the outdoors, spending time with family, and being near the water. He is an ICF Master Certified (MCC) and Certified Executive Coach (CEC) providing coaching services from his office in Baltimore, Maryland. His clients include executives, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and many others interested in achieving their personal and professional best.
Scott’s office phone is 410-802-6730. His email is scotthowardcoaching@gmail.com. His website is scotthowardcoaching.com.
