Establishing the Coaching Agreement 13 October 2010 Meg Mann, MCC

Ability to understand what is required in the specific coaching interaction and to come to agreement with the prospective and new client about the coaching process and relationship 1. Understands and effectively discusses with the client the guidelines and specific parameters of the coaching relationship (e.g., logistics, fees, scheduling, inclusion of others if appropriate), 2. Reaches agreement about what is appropriate in the relationship and what is not, what is and is not being offered, and about the client's and coach's responsibilities, 3. Determines whether there is an effective match between his/her coaching method and the needs of the prospective client. Source: ICF Core Competencies

1.For the coaching program overall –  Determining best fit of coach and client  Explaining what coaching is and what it isn’t  Setting the parameters of the coaching relationship and coaching program  Logistics of when, where you will meet  Fees, cancellation policies, notice  Who is involved with the coaching program, e.g. Sponsor  Ethical considerations

 Have a good contract that thoroughly explains the coaching process, responsibilities of both parties, logistics and details of the contractual relationship  For corporate engagements have Sponsor agreement and agreement with individual coachee  Do periodic check-ins on the coaching program along the way

2. For the coaching session/meeting  What does the client want to work on?  What will make the next 30 minutes most worthwhile?  Establish a focus for the session  What does the client want to take away from the session? What will be of value?  How does the client want to feel/be at the end of the session?

 At ACC level, Coach accepts what client says he/she wants to work on at surface level, and attends to that agenda. The client chooses the topic with little exploration.  At PCC level, Coach does some exploration of client’s stated outcomes, and includes some measure of success for each topic. Client chooses the topic and there may be some tracking that client is getting stated outcome.

 At MCC level, Coach fully explores what client wants from the session: - Gains clarity on what would be of value to the client for this session - Delves deeply to ensure there is clarity about the coaching purpose - Establishes measures for success - Checks regularly to see whether direction of session is continuing to serve client’s purpose, and will change course as needed

 Have good contracts and make sure they have been reviewed by counsel, and are up to date  Be clear with clients about the coaching process, logistics, and your services  Take the time in each session to explore, clarify and refine the stated outcome; establish how success will be measured; get the client in touch with what is truly valuable about the outcome  Do check-ins along the way

 You do not need to wait until applying for your MCC credential before you begin to establish agreement “masterfully”.  A well-defined, measurable outcome that has been fully explored with the client, where the client can begin to see, feel, and experience the outcome, is time well spent.  The coaching process flows smoothly and effortlessly when this competency is done well, and actions steps naturally emerge.