In corporate leadership coaching, one distinction clears up a lot of confusion: ICF is primarily a professional competency and ethics framework for how coaching should be practised. GROW, CLEAR, OSKAR, solution-focused coaching, cognitive-behavioural coaching, systemic coaching, etc. are primarily models or schools for how change can be facilitated. So they are not really competitors. A strong executive coach can be ICF-aligned while using GROW in one session, CBT ideas in another, systemic thinking with a leadership team, and 360° feedback across the engagement. 1. What exactly does ICF propose? The does not prescribe one coaching methodology . Its current 2025 framework defines eight competencies within four domains. The update was based on a global job analysis involving nearly 3,000 coaches. ICF domain Competencies In simple language Foundation Ethical Practice; Coaching Mindset Be ethical, self-aware, reflective and genuinely coach-like Co-creating relationsh...