The 4th International Executive Coaching Summit (ECS IV) took place on October 21st and 22nd, 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia

FIRST EUROPEAN EXECUTIVE COACHING SUMMIT: Stresa, Italy, May 2003
The More You Give... The More You Get

Overview: The First European Executive Summit was designed to share their best practices over one and a half days. The summit included coaches from various parts of the European continent. On Monday, May 5th, 2003 the participants were invited to a luncheon. In the afternoon they created a collage depicting the changing demands that impact executive coaching today. Philippe Rosinski used an artistic activity to facilitate cultural intermixing and a means to reach a meaning beyond any particular cultural bias (p.111).

To give the readers a flavor of the collage experience, two collages with three bullet points summarizing the creator’s key messages are shown below. This exercise was to engage coaches authentically and help them identify what is specifically important to them. The implicit assumption is that coaches integrate their inner motives and values to how they perceive the executive coaching profession. For dinner, participants took a motor boat to the island of the region “Isola Pescatore”. Interestingly enough, it was a US participant who remarked on how many opportunities there were for participants to bond during the European Executive Summit.

The core of the exchange between coaches was on Tuesday, May 6th when key questions were distributed amongst teams. Coaches had assigned their initials next to the questions of interest and the organizer tried to accommodate them by signing the participant’s first or second choice according to the different teams. After debating the topic within their teams, participants were asked to present their findings in the plenary. Participants were given the opportunity to present, debate or add any comments to the current findings.

A large number of nationalities were present. Six participants were from France, 5 from UK, 5 from Switzerland, 4 from Belgium, 3 from the US, 2 from Germany, 1 from Austria, 1 Spain and 2 from other continents: 1 Canada and 1 China.

Judy Feld, the ICF President in 2003, was invited to be present at the summit. This was a welcoming opportunity to support and recognize the European executive Coaching Community.

EXECUTIVE COACHING SUMMIT III: Chicago, 2001
     The Profession, The Practice, The Promise

Abstract: This paper presents the outcomes, discoveries and process experienced by a group of 31 executive coaches attending the third annual International Executive Coaching Summit. The purpose of the one and one half-day meeting was to build on the foundation of the work of the first and second gatherings and enhance the competencies and commitment of individuals. Specifically, the event was staged to continue the definition of the profession of executive coaching, develop the skills practiced with clients and commit to the promise of a collegial community. In addition, time was allocated to establish new and refresh existing relationships with colleagues, to share best practices and knowledge as well as to solidify the summit community through agreement on membership criteria, aspirations and leadership.

Executive coaching is not a profession but an approach used to deliver services, a field that is dynamic, fast-paced and as challenging as the jobs of those being coached. The profile of ECSIII attendees is that of highly experienced entrepreneurs working as external coaches for corporations using executive coaching as one - or the only - approach to leadership and organizational development. Participants agreed on the need for integrity during their coaching engagement and continuing work with clients, awareness of their own values in responding to changing workplace trends and a flexible business model that reflects their own goals and lifestyle. All in attendance made a pledge of stewardship to the field of executive coaching through support of the Executive Coach Committee sponsored by the International Coach Federation, usage of the ECNet as a list serve to electronically communicate with colleagues and adoption of criteria for acceptance of new members to the Executive Coaching Summit.

Abstract: This is the second annual White Paper presenting outcomes and conclusions developed by a community of Executive Coaches attending an International Summit for purposes of further defining and refining the burgeoning Executive Coaching profession. The objective of the second Summit was to extend collaborative processes for the global benefit of the profession, to delineate the best practices and framework of executive coaching and to envision a glimpse of the future of executive coaching.

This Summit concluded that collaboration in the executive coaching industry must happen, that the Best Practices of Executive Coaching must be identified and made globally available, and that the future of the profession is at a critical crossroads. The extreme level of collaboration that was displayed by the participants pointed to positive potential for future realization of grand visions for the profession although the product of their efforts produced more questions than answers. In the end, the Summit reached an activity level compelling the group to action and connection beyond the limitation of annual summit meetings.

Abstract: This article represents key findings, definitions and discoveries about the profession of Executive Coaching. A group of 36 Senior Executive Coaches (see complete listing at end of this paper), thought leaders in the field, met for the purpose of identifying the primary distinguishers of Executive Coaching. This paper is written for the benefit of the following primary audiences: individuals calling themselves Executive Coaches, other coaches of the ICF membership, those coaches who aspire to work at the executive coach level, organizations wishing to hire Executive Coaches, organizations desiring to initiate a coaching culture as a strategic device for retaining talent, coach training organizations and other professional coach organizations.

The following areas are covered: Need for such an effort, identifying the basic level of competence in all coaches, definition of Executive Coaching, primary distinguishers, competencies and proficiencies, strategic rationale for hiring Executive Coaches, executive coaching tools, industry trends and ethics.

• Contact the ICF: icfoffice@coachingfederation.org