How can you make sure your coaching contract follows all the rules?

In my experience, the more that you can establish and manage expectations the better. This helps to prepare for a more fruitful relationship between the coach and the client. Many may come into the relationship expecting too much from the relationship or uncover that the expectations are misaligned, if well spelled out. This is the time to ensure alignment.

I call this "setting context" for my coaching. This is typically best to do BEFORE they pay you so they are fully aware of what they are committing to. That said, I prefer to show rather than tell. I give them an experience of my coaching firsthand so they know what to expect in the future when they would be paying for it.

This is just good business. The coach needs to be paid for their services and the client needs to know exactly what is being offered and what they are being charged for. This way there is a clear understanding of what is included in the services and deliverables that they can expect to receive. This is also a good time to let the client know how they can pay and when it is required. It is also key to be on the same page of what happens when there are issues such as refunds, cancellations, and late payments.

In my experience, this is easy when you have a set schedule and/or duration for certain services and packages. However, you may also decide to customize items for clients as well. In these cases, you will want to ensure that you include those specific details as a scedule attachment to the contract or agreement that the client sees and agrees to as well. Be clear on how long certain sessions should be unless you are offering a set total number of coaching hours. It should be stated upfront so that there is no miscommunication.

Use agreements to make scheduling more effective. That is, a mutual understanding between you and the client that, once the day and time is set, you are both 100% committing to showing up fully present, ready, and on time for the session.

Nothing leaves the coaching session without my client's explicit permission. If they have a breakthrough, I ask, "May I share that breakthrough with others?" When in doubt, keep your mouth shut. And a good rule of thumb is to always ask first.

In coaching, contracting is pivotal. ?? A coach must articulate what coaching entails and what it doesn't. Often, individuals unfamiliar with coaching seek a mentor's advice based on experience. It's crucial to distinguish between the two: coaching involves collaborative questioning, empowering clients to generate their own answers. Establishing this clarity at the outset through clear contracting ensures alignment

I don't know many coaches who do this. Feels like a bit of an overkill. If they've already sent me / handed me a 5-figure check, asking for a signature as an additional form of commitment is silly.

Every coach will have some sort of contract that they will employ with their new clients. The key that I have found valuable is in spending the time walking through so expectations are clear and understood. Items such as confidentiality, cancellations, and responsibilities for showing up prepared need to be discussed so that a positive tone is set at the beginning of the coaching relationship. All too often, coaches will deliver the contract although not spend the time necessary so that there is commitment. Spend the time to walk through together and get curious about what it will look like to create a roadmap of success by establishing the manner in which you will engage in the coach and coachee relationship.