ESTABLISHES & MAINTAINS AGREEMENTS

 20220324 Module 6

Key Idea: “Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans and goals. Establishes agreements for the overall coaching engagement as well as those for each coaching session.”

When starting a project, do you have an idea of what outcome you would like to achieve? Do you have a clear vision of what you want and a strategy on how to get there? Do you fantasise about the pleasures that come with planning & scheduling & organising? How about the thrills of marking off the checkbox of your tasks list? Well, you’re in good company… just not mine. I love to dream BIG dreams! Yes, the ones associated with slumber counts, but I’m referring to daydreams, hopes & desires. My challenge though, is that I seldom have a well thought-out, step-by-step, clear strategy on how to get there. In fact, I’m all about the journey & the experiences you pick up along the way. “Live life in the present” and #YOLO could easily be my mantra. (YOLO by the way, stands for “You Only Live Once”. A little education for you Google-averse readers.) 

My wife, on the other hand, is a serial planner and may have certain choice words about my habits and overall outlook on life. As a 40-something year old father of 3 young ravenous children, the racking bills do peck at the #YOLO mantra quite a bit, and forces one to pay serious consideration to their future. I want to be a responsible person, who provides for every need of my wife, and that of my 3 daughters. I want to be able to pay for their full education, with enough savings to retire comfortably, and also a little extra to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. The dream is there, but the process and the plans are a little more sketchy. It’s always good to have one’s goals written down, or even have a Vision Board (if that is your sort of thing), so that you are constantly reminded of what it is you are living for. Your processes and plans may change along the way, but that is acceptable so long as you have the final goal in focus.

It is because of these varying processes and changes in life, that Establishing Contracts and Maintaining Agreements are so important in a Coaching relationship. Things can change for us in a matter of days, weeks or months, that we may get distracted and lose focus on our ultimate goal. Stephen Covey, in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, identifies the 2nd habit as “Begin with the End in Mind.” When you are able to envision yourself in the end game, you can develop laser-sharp focus on what steps you need to take in order to get you there. By establishing specific agreements with our coachees at the very beginning of our partnership, there is a clearer understanding what is to be expected and what will be provided by either party. The relationship between Coach & Coachee is a partnership, and by having a clear agreement from the beginning, we as the Coach are then able to keep our Coachees accountable on their journey towards achieving their success.