𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐒 – 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐄𝐠𝐠𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑬𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆?
When I started to pen my views on ethics as a coach, I thought of my journey. Initially following ethics felt like treading on eggshells—fragile and tricky to navigate. I wasn’t sure if they were there to guide me or restrict me.

𝑴𝒚 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒔
I saw ethics as a set of rules—a list of what’s right and wrong, a set of regulations, a blueprint for conduct in professional settings. I received plenty of “dos and don’ts” lists. They served as helpful guides but strangely felt more like shackles and less like support structures. I thought: Is this what ethics is really about? I knew there had to be something deeper. Because fear cannot be at the core of any practice that is dedicated to washing people’s feet as its intent.

What helped me embrace the code of ethics? What made me accept them as resources for empowerment and not a practice that felt burdensome? Understanding the “why” behind ethics slowly transformed them from something intimidating into a source of strength and clarity.

‘𝑻𝑯𝑬’ 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑴𝒚 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆
A question from my coach reframed everything. She asked, “Are ethics the foundation of what we do, or a backup plan?”

𝑴𝒚 𝑨-𝑯𝑨 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
My switch flipped. Ethics didn’t have to be a mere safety net, a set of rules compulsorily to be followed!!! Ethics were to be an extension of my being – the foundation of what I do.

𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓
I realized ethics go beyond being a rigid document. The true power of ethics lies not in the letter of the law but in the spirit of the law. The spirit that makes me reflect on the intent of the heart. The spirit that invites me to align with my highest intentions and reminds me to practice coaching with honesty and integrity. Integrity that creates Safety. Safety which builds Trust. Trust that promotes Courage. Courage which leads to Confidence. Confidence to be my best. Confidence to serve best. Confidence to do more. Responsibly and respectfully.

𝑴𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆
Ethics are designed to support and build us. They empower us by creating safety and trust all around. They invite us to be more—as a Human and as a Coach. Why? To serve. To build. To be. The Best. Always.

𝑨 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆
These reflections come from my journey. I share them not as an expert trying to instruct but to humbly offer a perspective—from a learner and still growing in the process of intending to serve people as best as possible. I hope they resonate with those who see ethics as more than just a rulebook but as a path to empowerment.

Written by Sanjiv Bhatia (ICF-PCC),
Catalyst Coach Partner – India 🇮🇳