How can you balance your coaching contract with your personal values?

1 What are coaching contracts and values?

A coaching contract is a formal agreement between you and your client that defines the scope, duration, fees, expectations, and outcomes of your coaching relationship. It is a legal document that protects both parties and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of each one. A coaching contract also sets the boundaries and limits of your coaching practice, such as confidentiality, ethics, and termination.

Your personal values are the beliefs, standards, and morals that guide your decisions and actions. They reflect your core identity, purpose, and vision as a coach. Your personal values may include honesty, respect, compassion, excellence, or any other quality that matters to you. Your personal values also influence your coaching style, approach, and methods.

2 Why is it important to balance them?

Balancing your coaching contract with your personal values is important for several reasons. First, it helps you to avoid conflicts of interest, legal issues, or ethical dilemmas that may arise from your coaching contract. For example, if your coaching contract requires you to report certain information to a third party, but your personal values prohibit you from disclosing confidential data, you may face a difficult situation.

Second, it helps you to preserve your credibility, reputation, and trust as a coach. If your coaching contract contradicts your personal values, you may lose your authenticity, integrity, and alignment as a coach. For example, if your coaching contract forces you to use a coaching method that you disagree with or dislike, you may compromise your effectiveness, satisfaction, and enthusiasm as a coach.

Third, it helps you to enhance your relationship with your client and your own well-being as a coach. If your coaching contract aligns with your personal values, you may feel more confident, comfortable, and congruent as a coach. For example, if your coaching contract allows you to express your creativity, passion, and uniqueness as a coach, you may create a more positive, engaging, and rewarding coaching experience for yourself and your client.

3 How can you balance them?

Balancing your coaching contract with your personal values is not always easy, but it is possible. Before signing a coaching contract, review it thoroughly and make sure you understand all the terms and conditions. Ask questions, clarify doubts, and negotiate changes if needed. Communicate your personal values to your client and explain how they influence your coaching practice. Monitor your coaching contract regularly and evaluate its impact on your personal values. If discrepancies, inconsistencies, or conflicts arise, address them quickly. Respect your coaching contract and honor your commitments. Do not breach, violate, or ignore your coaching contract without a valid reason. This skill of balancing contracts with personal values can help you maintain professionalism, integrity, and quality as a coach. It can also create a more fulfilling, meaningful, and enjoyable coaching career for both you and your clients.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?