I like to define working agreements so that we both know what to expect from each other and minimize communication misunderstandings. We’ll add to this as we go along but below are some key items to start with:

1. Trust. Trust is critical for our working relationship. If I ever say anything that upsets you or does not feel right, please bring it to my attention. If you are like many of us, you might struggle with bringing up difficult topics. One way to do this is say something like: “You said or mentioned xxx, that brings up some tension for me that I am not prepared to discuss here.” I will honor those requests from you as this is your time for exploration and growth and I want to create a safe space for you. We can discuss other ways for you to bring up your preferences if this is a particularly difficult thing for you.

2. Confidentiality. Our coaching relationship is completely confidential, within the limits of the law. I will not share any information that you share with me including future plans, or personal and financial information. And I will not share with anyone that we have a coaching relationship without your permission. If I ever write about topics that come up for us, this will always be done anonymously.

3. Coaching is Not Therapy. Our coaching relationship is not psychological counseling or therapy. If at any time the need for therapy or counseling arises, I will help you decide on steps to seek that counseling but I will not provide you with counseling as it is not my expertise.

4. Coaching Results. Coaching results are not guaranteed but I will do my best to help us get clear on expectations as we go along. If I interpret your coaching goals to be out of reach for our work together, I will let you know as we are discussing those. Each client enters into coaching understanding that they are responsible for creating personal results.

5. Contract. I will ask you to sign a short coaching contract that spells out our working agreement and pricing. This is only a page long and protects us from any misinterpretation of agreed-upon terms. We will do this after our intake meeting.

6. Scheduling Appointments. While I hold the time for our scheduled session, I understand that the need may arise from time to time to change our scheduled time. I ask that you provide 24-hour notice and I will do the same for you should the need arise to reschedule.

7. Session Format. I am pretty flexible on how we conduct our sessions. Telephone works great when we want greater focus on the discussion and content. If we want a deeper connection or if anything needs to be shared, Zoom is my preferred tool but I can use any tool that makes it easier for your technology needs. I am also very sensitive to people’s needs for comfort and will happily switch to the format that makes you comfortable, even if that is requested shortly before our scheduled session.

8. Session Discussions. It is typical in coaching that the client generates the topic for discussion. That will not be drastically different for a career coaching relationship; we will decide together what our next topic is based on your stated goals and we can shift as needed. The main difference with career coaching, especially as it pertains to learning from my experience in the agile space is that I might be providing more information and advising, more than you might expect in a typical coaching relationship.

9. Termination of Coaching Agreement. One month’s notice is appreciated whenever you feel the coaching process is complete or need to terminate for any other reason.

I invite you to ask further about what to expect and the structure of coaching sessions during our introductory sessions.