Coaching Agreements

Going beyond what do you want to achieve?

We know that every coaching session needs to include the question ‘what do you want to achieve?’ (or some form of that question). We are taught that from day one of our coaching education. And from an ICF Core Competency perspective it is a critical part of establishing the coaching agreement. But we also know there’s more to establishing and maintaining a coaching agreement that just this question.

Therefore, building on our theme of exploring the ‘ICF Core Competencies’, this week in the Coaching Café Natalie discusses ‘Establishes and Maintains Agreements’.

What does it mean from a competency point of view? Natalie also offers reminders about inserting certain questions into the coaching conversation to meet this competency.

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Establishes and Maintains Agreements defined…

Firstly, let us say that we are happy this core competency is updated to reflect practice. It provides a much more well-rounded view of what it means to establish a coaching agreement and then coach according to the agreement. The inclusion of stakeholder management, in addition the ongoing focus is not only important, but definitely reflects practice.

The definition provided by the ICF is as follows:

Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans and goals.

Establishes agreements for the overall coaching engagement as well as those for each coaching session.

As you can see, the definition is in two parts. The introductory part to create the agreement. And then the agreements that happen during the coaching program.

Working with stakeholders of coaching

The first part of the definition has five related performance behaviours. And they relate to ensuring that a suitable agreement is in place. We often get asked on our coaching programs, what that agreement should look like. In response, we provide templates. However, the information below from the ICF gives you some very good direction.

1.Explains what coaching is and is not and describes the process to the client and relevant stakeholders

2. Reaches agreement about what is and is not appropriate in the relationship, what is and is not being offered, and the responsibilities of the client and relevant stakeholders

3. Reaches agreement about the guidelines and specific parameters of the coaching relationship such as logistics, fees, scheduling, duration, termination, confidentiality and inclusion of other.

4. Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to establish an overall coaching plan and goals

5. Partners with the client to determine client-coach compatibility

The ongoing coaching relationship

Once the relationship is established, the second half of the behaviours give us an indication of competency for the ongoing coaching program.

6. Partners with the client to identify or reconfirm what they want to accomplish in the session

7. Partners with the client to define what the client believes they need to address or resolve to achieve what they want to accomplish in the session

8. Partners with the client to define or reconfirm measures of success for what the client wants to accomplish in the coaching engagement or individual session

9. Partners with the client to manage the time and focus of the session

There are a number of great coaching questions that you can ask that continue to establish the agreement. For example, checking in that the session is going in the direction that is adding value to the client.

Asking great coaching questions

Asking great coaching questions is important in this core competency. Not only at the start of the conversation, but during the coaching. Questions include:

What would give you most value from the coaching today?
What are you learning from our conversation?
How will you know when you have achieved that goal?
Can I double check, that we are still on track with what you wanted to achieve at the start of this session?
Is there anything else that would make this conversation more complete for you?

Opportunity for reflection during International Coaching Week

In the lead up to International Coaching Week we have an opportunity to reflect on our practice. In particular, how we are living the core competencies in our practice.

Enjoy your coaching and reflections this week.

And happy International Coaching Week to you!

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