Session 27 Practice Coaching

If you're assessing an audio recording for an ICF-accredited coaching performance at the PCC/MCC boundary, it is useful to evaluate observable behaviors rather than simply checking whether the coach "did" a competency.

Below are 37 PCC performance markers that can be used as an assessment checklist while listening to a coaching session. They are aligned with the International Coaching Federation Core Competencies (updated 2021) and emphasize what should be heard in a strong PCC-level coaching conversation.

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PCC Marker

Evidence heard in recording

1

Coaching agreement established

Client states desired outcome.

2

Success measures defined

Coach asks how client will know coaching was valuable.

3

Client chooses agenda

Coach does not impose direction.

4

Coach remains flexible

Agreement evolves if client changes direction.

5

Coach partners rather than directs

Conversation feels collaborative.

6

Coach demonstrates curiosity

Questions arise from genuine interest.

7

Coach avoids giving advice

No consulting or teaching unless requested and contracted.

8

Coach creates psychological safety

Client speaks openly without hesitation.

9

Coach acknowledges emotions

Feelings are noticed and explored.

10

Coach notices energy shifts

Changes in tone or enthusiasm are explored.

11

Coach uses active listening

Responses clearly build on client's words.

12

Coach reflects accurately

Client confirms feeling understood.

13

Coach summarizes effectively

Summaries move the conversation forward.

14

Coach notices underlying beliefs

Hidden assumptions are explored.

15

Coach identifies values

Discussion includes what matters most.

16

Coach identifies patterns

Repeated behaviors are noticed.

17

Coach explores perspective

Client considers alternative viewpoints.

18

Coach invites reflection

Questions create thinking rather than answers.

19

Coach uses open questions

Mostly "what," "how," and exploratory questions.

20

Coach avoids leading questions

Questions are neutral.

21

Coach allows silence

Thinking time is respected.

22

Coach is fully present

Minimal interruption or agenda pushing.

23

Coach follows client language

Uses client's words rather than introducing new concepts.

24

Coach checks assumptions

Does not interpret without confirmation.

25

Coach encourages awareness

Client experiences new insight.

26

Client creates own solutions

Ideas originate from client.

27

Coach supports exploration

Multiple possibilities are considered.

28

Coach deepens learning

Conversation moves beyond surface problem-solving.

29

Coach explores whole person

Identity, emotions, values, beliefs, and context are included.

30

Coach invites choice

Client selects preferred direction.

31

Coach encourages responsibility

Ownership remains with client.

32

Coach supports action planning

Client identifies meaningful next step(s).

33

Coach checks commitment

Client expresses willingness to act.

34

Coach reinforces learning

Key insights are captured before closing.

35

Coach closes intentionally

Session ends with clear completion.

36

Coach demonstrates trust in client

No rescuing, fixing, or solving.

37

Client leaves empowered

Client sounds clearer, more confident, and self-directed.

What distinguishes PCC from MCC?

A coach demonstrating strong PCC consistently:

• Maintains the coaching agreement.

• Uses curiosity over expertise.

• Helps generate client awareness.

• Facilitates client-created actions.

• Maintains partnership throughout.

An MCC-level coach generally goes further by:

• Coaching almost entirely from the client's moment-to-moment awareness.

• Allowing the client's language, emotions, and emerging meaning to guide the conversation.

• Using minimal intervention while creating profound transformation.

• Remaining unattached to outcomes, questions, or techniques.

• Inviting expansive awareness rather than simply helping solve a problem.

• Partnering so deeply that the coaching feels effortless and fully client-led.

When evaluating an audio recording for an ICF credential submission, these 37 markers provide a practical rubric for determining whether the session consistently demonstrates PCC-level performance while also highlighting where it begins to exhibit MCC-level mastery

Below are three evaluation questions you can ask while listening to the recording for each PCC marker. These questions are designed to help assess whether the coach demonstrated the behavior consistently and at a PCC standard.

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PCC Marker

Evaluation Questions

1

Coaching agreement established

1. Did the client clearly define the focus? 2. Did the coach confirm the desired outcome? 3. Was there a shared understanding before coaching began?

2

Success measures defined

1. Did the coach ask what success would look like? 2. Did the client describe how they would know the session was valuable? 3. Was the outcome measurable or observable?

3

Client chooses agenda

1. Who selected the topic? 2. Did the coach avoid steering the client? 3. Did the agenda belong to the client throughout?

4

Coach remains flexible

1. Did the coach adapt when the conversation shifted? 2. Was the agreement revisited if needed? 3. Did flexibility deepen the coaching?

5

Coach partners rather than directs

1. Did the coach collaborate instead of leading? 2. Was the client treated as resourceful? 3. Did decisions remain with the client?

6

Coach demonstrates curiosity

1. Were questions driven by curiosity? 2. Did the coach explore rather than assume? 3. Was genuine interest evident?

7

Coach avoids giving advice

1. Did the coach refrain from solving the problem? 2. Were suggestions avoided unless contracted? 3. Did solutions come from the client?

8

Coach creates psychological safety

1. Did the client appear comfortable? 2. Was vulnerability welcomed? 3. Was the environment free from judgment?

9

Coach acknowledges emotions

1. Were emotions noticed? 2. Were feelings explored respectfully? 3. Did emotional awareness contribute to insight?

10

Coach notices energy shifts

1. Did the coach notice changes in energy? 2. Were shifts explored? 3. Did exploring them deepen awareness?

11

Coach uses active listening

1. Did responses build on client statements? 2. Was the client fully heard? 3. Did listening outweigh questioning?

12

Coach reflects accurately

1. Were reflections accurate? 2. Did the client confirm feeling understood? 3. Did reflections create clarity?

13

Coach summarizes effectively

1. Were summaries concise? 2. Did they capture key learning? 3. Did they move the conversation forward?

14

Coach notices underlying beliefs

1. Were assumptions identified? 2. Did the coach explore limiting beliefs? 3. Did beliefs influence awareness?

15

Coach identifies values

1. Were values explored? 2. Did the client identify what mattered most? 3. Did values influence decisions?

16

Coach identifies patterns

1. Were recurring behaviors noticed? 2. Did the client recognize patterns? 3. Were patterns linked to outcomes?

17

Coach explores perspective

1. Were alternative viewpoints invited? 2. Did the client shift perspective? 3. Did new thinking emerge?

18

Coach invites reflection

1. Did questions promote thinking? 2. Was reflection deeper than problem-solving? 3. Did pauses encourage insight?

19

Coach uses open questions

1. Were questions open-ended? 2. Did they encourage exploration? 3. Did they avoid yes/no answers?

20

Coach avoids leading questions

1. Were questions neutral? 2. Did they avoid hidden advice? 3. Did the client generate the direction?

21

Coach allows silence

1. Was silence used intentionally? 2. Did the coach resist filling gaps? 3. Did silence support deeper thinking?

22

Coach is fully present

1. Was attention consistently on the client? 2. Did the coach remain engaged? 3. Was distraction absent?

23

Coach follows client language

1. Did the coach use the client's words? 2. Were metaphors preserved? 3. Was client language honoured?

24

Coach checks assumptions

1. Did the coach verify interpretations? 2. Were assumptions tested? 3. Did the client confirm accuracy?

25

Coach encourages awareness

1. Did new awareness emerge? 2. Did the client express insight? 3. Was awareness client-generated?

26

Client creates own solutions

1. Did ideas come from the client? 2. Did the coach avoid providing answers? 3. Were solutions self-generated?

27

Coach supports exploration

1. Were multiple options explored? 2. Did curiosity continue? 3. Was exploration unrestricted?

28

Coach deepens learning

1. Did the conversation move beyond symptoms? 2. Were deeper meanings explored? 3. Was learning evident?

29

Coach explores whole person

1. Were emotions, values and beliefs included? 2. Did the conversation consider context? 3. Was the whole person coached?

30

Coach invites choice

1. Were options generated? 2. Did the client choose the path forward? 3. Was autonomy respected?

31

Coach encourages responsibility

1. Did ownership stay with the client? 2. Was accountability discussed? 3. Did the client own their decisions?

32

Coach supports action planning

1. Were meaningful actions identified? 2. Did actions align with awareness? 3. Were actions realistic?

33

Coach checks commitment

1. Did the client express commitment? 2. Was readiness explored? 3. Were obstacles discussed?

34

Coach reinforces learning

1. Were insights reviewed? 2. Did the client articulate learning? 3. Was learning consolidated?

35

Coach closes intentionally

1. Was the session concluded purposefully? 2. Did the client reflect before ending? 3. Was there a clear close?

36

Coach demonstrates trust in client

1. Did the coach trust the client's capability? 2. Was fixing avoided? 3. Did the client remain empowered?

37

Client leaves empowered

1. Did the client sound more confident? 2. Was there increased clarity? 3. Did the client leave with ownership and energy?

These 111 evaluation questions form a practical listening guide for reviewing coaching recordings. They are especially useful for PCC marker assessments, mentor coaching, reciprocal coaching reviews, and preparing recordings for an International Coaching Federation PCC credential application. They can also be adapted into a scoring rubric (e.g., 1–7 scale with evidence notes) for more structured evaluations