Life Coaching Has a Representation Issue – Here’s How You Can Make a Difference

Introduction:

As coaching becomes an increasingly mainstream and impactful service worldwide, it is critical to evaluate the level of diversity and cultural competence within the profession. Coaching clients come from all walks of life, and it is pivotal that every coach has the capacity, empathy, and training to appropriately respond to their client’s experience and needs.

Underrepresentation in the coaching profession:

The coaching profession has a representation issue. In 2022, The International Coaching Federation, the coaching industry’s largest ethical body, conducted research on diversity within the organization. 23,700 surveys were distributed to ICF members, and ICF received 1,800 responses. Of those respondents, 63% self-reported as White, 10% self-reported as Black, 8% self-reported as Asian, and 2% self-reported as Hispanic. 66% of respondents identified as female (assigned at birth), and 23% identified as male (assigned at birth). Less than 1% reported being non-binary, gender neutral, or gender fluid. 81% reported having no disability, and 9% reported living with a disability.

According to Zippia, a company providing data on jobs and careers in the United States, in 2021 of 23,121 health coaches employed, surveys found that 79.1% coaches are women and 60.4% coaches are White, whereas 17.2% of coaches are Hispanic and only 8.6% are Black. 21% of coaches identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LBGT).

Why does representation matter?

Representation is critical in every professional field and coaching is no exception. The systemic, institutionalized, and interpersonal nature of oppression can keep marginalized folks out of the coaching space — both as coaches and clients – due to gaps in access and resources, as well as occupational segregation. Studies have demonstrated how a lack of representation in employment, media, and popular culture negatively impacts the self-esteem of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) youth and adults.

Representation is an essential step to addressing and repairing inequity because it demonstrates support and validation of another person’s lived experience. It also helps to negate bias and promote shared understanding and prosperity. Representation fosters cultural appreciation, humility, and sensitivity; all qualities that coaches must possess to in order to effectively support their clients.

How coaches can promote equity and inclusion through their work:

As coaches, we make a commitment to our continued personal and professional development. Cultural competency is included in that work. Coaches can promote wellness lifestyles for all by leading with cultural humility and sensitivity.

Those practices include adhering to the following core competencies and practice skills guidelines set by the International Coaching Federation, National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching, and the Center for Credentialing and Education (among others):

• being sensitive to clients’ identity, environment, experiences, values, and beliefs
• using appropriate and respectful language
• demonstrating respect and unconditional positive regard
• remaining curious and open-minded
• recognizing the client as a whole, resourceful, and creative person
• remaining aware of and open to the influence of context and culture on self and others
• maintaining a client-centered process that keeps the client’s agenda, needs, and interests foremost
• adapting one’s coaching to the client
• encouraging client-driven decision making
• considering the client’s entire context to enhance understanding of what the client is communicating

Professionals seeking ethical, intersectional, culturally competent coaching training that can be applied to youth and adults, Youth Coaching Institute is the place for you. Check out our coach training programs here, and feel free to schedule a Q&A call here with our YCI team.