Before meaningful coaching can begin, both the coach and the client need to be clear about what they are entering into. The coaching agreement — sometimes called the coaching contract — is the foundation that makes this clarity possible. In the ICF framework, establishing and maintaining agreements is listed as Core Competency 3, recognising that without a solid foundation, even the best coaching conversations can lose direction.
What the ICF Means by ‘Establishing Agreements’ #
ICF Core Competency 3 is not simply about signing a document. It describes an ongoing process in which the coach and client continually clarify what they are working toward, what success looks like, and how they will work together — both at the start of the engagement and at the beginning of each individual session. The agreement is a living reference point, not a formality to be forgotten once completed.
What a Coaching Agreement Covers #
A well-constructed coaching agreement typically addresses:
- Goals: What the client is working toward in this engagement, and how they will know they have arrived
- Confidentiality: What stays between coach and client, and any limits to that (for example, in organisational coaching where a sponsor is involved)
- Logistics: Session frequency, duration, communication between sessions, cancellation policy
- Scope: What coaching is, and what it is not — particularly the distinction from therapy, mentoring, or consulting
- Roles: That the client sets the agenda, and the coach’s role is to facilitate rather than advise
Engagement Agreement vs Session Agreement #
There is an important distinction between the overall engagement agreement — which covers the entire coaching relationship — and the session-level agreement, which is established at the start of each individual conversation. The session agreement asks: what do you want to focus on today, and what would make this session valuable?
Both matter. The engagement agreement provides the container; the session agreement ensures the client is always setting the direction within it. What to Expect in an ICF Coaching Session outlines how this process works in practice from the client’s perspective.
Why Clarity at the Start Protects Everyone #
A clear coaching agreement protects both parties. For the client, it ensures they know what they are signing up for, what to expect, and that the relationship is built on transparency rather than assumption. For the coach, it establishes professional boundaries and provides a shared reference point if misalignments arise during the work.
Without this foundation, sessions can drift. A client who expected advice may be frustrated by open questions. A coach who assumed a long engagement may find the client wanted just two sessions. Clarity at the outset makes these tensions far less likely to emerge.
How Martin Approaches the Agreement Process #
Martin brings the coaching agreement into the first conversation naturally, as a collaborative exploration rather than an administrative task. The focus is on understanding what the client genuinely wants from the work — not just the surface goal, but what achieving it would mean for their life — and on making sure they feel informed and at ease before the coaching properly begins.
This approach reflects the ICF’s view that the agreement itself is part of the coaching: done well, it begins to shift the client’s thinking before the first formal session has even started.
