Coaching Engagement Agreement

Last updated: April 20, 2024

 

(Note: This is a generic version of our Coaching Engagement Agreement. We use a personalised version with our clients.)

 

“Coaching” is a partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the Client to maximise personal and professional potential. Your coach is a seasoned professional who empowers you (the client) to attain your desired results.

You must do your part to achieve your desired results. This document clarifies the terms of the coaching engagement and outlines the expectations and responsibilities of the Coach, the Client, and the Sponsor (if applicable).

 

Interpretation and Definitions

Interpretation

The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions.
The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or plural.

 

Definitions

For the purposes of this Coaching Engagement Agreement:

  • “You” and “Client” refer to the individual or team engaged in the coaching Service, i.e. being coached.
  • “Coach” refers to the individual providing the coaching service to the Client (i.e. coach the Client), whether in a one-to-one or, in the case of team coaching, one-to-many setting.
  • “Sponsor” refers to the entity (including its representatives) paying for and/or arranging the coaching services provided to the Client.
  • “Coaching” is a partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the Client to maximise personal and professional or, in the case of team coaching, team potential.

 

The Client’s Responsibilities

For the coaching relationship to work, You agree to the following:

  1. The coaching relationship is important to You, and You are committed to achieving the goals (which You will decide during your initial meetings with the Coach).
  2. You commit to the entire term of engagement unless we achieve your goals sooner.
  3. If You need to reschedule a session, You will do so at least 48 hours in advance.
    • If You reschedule less than 48 hours in advance, the session will be considered completed and counted towards Your coaching plan.
  4. You will attend all coaching sessions on time. This means that You will be for the session before the scheduled time.
    • If You fail to show up within 5 minutes after the scheduled time, the session will be considered a no-show and counted towards your coaching plan. The coach will not be obliged to make up the session.
  5. You will be mentally prepared for the coaching session, including:
    • Taking time to be settled and ready for the session instead of rushing from another meeting or activity.
    • Think about how you would like to use the session and what you would like to accomplish through the session.
  6. You will be fully present during each coaching session, with no external distractions (e.g. mobile phone, other people, email, driving, etc.) You will also ensure that you have privacy during coaching sessions (i.e. you don’t have to worry about any third party overhearing your conversation and can, therefore, freely speak your truth.)
  7. We will set the agenda for each session based on what You want to learn or work on.
  8. You will be open and honest during the sessions.
  9. You will complete any action steps you commit to do, on time.
  10. You are solely responsible for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being during our coaching sessions, including your choices, decisions, and progress.
  11. You are aware that you may choose to terminate or discontinue the coaching engagement at any time, and you will inform the Coach in writing at least one week in advance. If the coaching engagement involves a Sponsor, You will seek the Sponsor’s agreement before doing so.
  12. Coaching is a comprehensive process that may involve all areas of your life, including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. You acknowledge that deciding how to
    i. handle these issues,
    ii. incorporate coaching into those areas, and
    iii. implement your choices
    is exclusively your responsibility.
  13. Coaching does not involve diagnosing or treating mental disorders as defined by the American Psychiatric Association. You understand that coaching is not a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care or substance abuse treatment, and you will not use it in place of any form of diagnosis, treatment or therapy.
  14. You promise that if you are currently in therapy or otherwise under the care of a mental health professional, you have consulted with the mental health care provider regarding the advisability of working with a coach and that this person is aware of your decision to proceed with the coaching relationship.
  15. Coaching is not to be used as a substitute for professional advice by legal, medical, financial, business, spiritual or other relevant qualified professionals. You will seek independent professional guidance for legal, medical, financial, business, spiritual or other matters. You understand that all decisions in these areas are exclusively yours, and you acknowledge that your decisions and actions are your sole responsibility.
  16. If the coaching engagement involves a Sponsor, You understand that you are responsible for reporting to your Sponsor, if requested, about your coaching progress, which might include (but is not limited to) insights, changes, and completed action steps.

 

The Coach’s Responsibilities to You

  1. The Coach is committed to Your professional and personal success.
  2. The Coach will fully prepare for each session to ensure that Your time is well spent (i.e. the Coach will bring his A-game.)
  3. The Coach will be open, honest, constructive, respectful, and professional.
  4. If the Coach needs to reschedule a session, he will do so at least 48 hours in advance.
  5. The Coach will hold all information confidential unless You state otherwise in writing, except as required by law.
  6. The Coach will adhere to the standard for professional coaching as outlined in the International Coaching Federation’s Code of Ethics. (https://coachingfederation.org/ethics/code-of-ethics)

 

Responsibilities of the Sponsor

If the coaching engagement involves a Sponsor, then the Sponsor agrees to:

  1. Understand the scope and purpose of the coaching engagement.
  2. Understand and accept the responsibilities of the Sponsor, Client, and Coach.
  3. Accept and honour the Coach’s confidentiality obligations towards the Client and shall not compel or pressure the Coach to disclose or reveal the substance of the coaching conversations or any assessments that the Client might undertake as part of the coaching engagement.
  4. Provide the Client with the necessary privacy and confidentiality to communicate freely with the Coach without pressure or fear of being expected or compelled to disclose the substance of the coaching conversations to the Sponsor.
  5. Provide the Client with the necessary resources (including time, communication, etc.) to help the Client fully engage and maximise the results of the coaching engagement.
  6. Acknowledge and agree that the Coach shall not be liable or responsible for any action or inaction of the Client, whether directly or indirectly, resulting from the coaching service provided by the Coach.