Co-Creating the Coaching Agreement 101
The Coaching Agreement:
When coaches in training begin their journey, the open exploration coaching provides can first appear to lack any structure. However, the best practices (reflected in the ICF’s Core Competencies) offer a balance between openness and structure.
The following videos will provide the structure that was not felt within our first practice session. We will practice using this structure as we step into our next live learning session. Please review all of the content on this page before joining the live session next week.
Here I would like to share a few sample questions based on the “Question Algebra” model. Always keep in mind that these questions are only samples, and that the best questions are created with what is happening in the session:
Learning:
- What can you learn about yourself through this situation?
- What are you learning right now in our session?
- What do you need to learn about in order to have clarity?
- What is the lesson this experience has taught you?
- How can you create this as a learning experience?
- Why is it so important that you understand this?
Values
- What do you most care about with this situation?
- What values are being challenged by this relationship?
- Which value is most important to acknowledge and honor here?
- Who will you become if you do not honor this value?
- Why bother with that value (as a prodding challenge)?
- How do you act on this value if your manager doesn’t agree?
Relationships
- Who do you want to be for your direct reports?
- What makes this relationship so important to you?
- Why not just give up on collaborating with this person?
- How will you behave regardless of how they act?
- Who do you want this person to be for you?
Consider how much more impactful these questions could become if we add just a little something from the client’s side. The more you read and hear powerful questions, the more naturally they will come to you in the midst of a session. Practice, Practice, Practice!
ICF Code of Ethics
To continue to build upon our foundational understanding of the ICF’s position on Coaching Ethics, please review the following video:
Also, come prepared to discuss parts 1-3 by reviewing:
Make sure to take time to familiarize yourself with the key definitions found in the Code of Ethics. Again, throughout our work we will explore ethical questions and concerns, particularly as they come up in open discussion and assessments.
Session 3: Active Listening and the Coaching Relationship 101
If you are not a participant in the Corporate Sponsored Coach Training Program, and you would like to learn more, consider exploring the information on the program here.