Establishes and Maintains Agreements
Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship
Description
This competency focuses on co-creating agreements for the session with the client. Effective coaches partner with clients to define what they want to accomplish, explore the meaning and importance of their desired outcome, and establish measures of success. Unless the client indicates otherwise, the coach continues to move toward the client's desired outcome throughout the session.
Level-Specific Markers
Observable Behaviors
- 1
Explores the client's topic for the session
- 2
Comes to agreement on the session outcome
- 3
Explores the meaning of the outcome for the client
- 4
Attends to the agreed-upon agenda throughout the session
Development Tips
Practice asking 'What would you like to accomplish in this session?'
Learn to explore what makes the topic meaningful to the client
Develop skill in defining success measures: 'How will you know this session was valuable?'
Check in regularly: 'Are we still on track with what you wanted?'
Notice when the conversation shifts and invite discussion about direction
Use the client's specific words when reflecting the agreement back
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Selecting the topic yourself instead of partnering with the client
Moving forward without clarifying what the client wants to accomplish
Not exploring why the topic is important or meaningful to the client
Failing to establish clear measures of success for the session
Not staying attentive to the agenda throughout the session
Missing shifts in the conversation and not checking the client's preference
Related Competencies
Sources
Related Learning Resources
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