ICF Core Competency: Establishes and Maintains Agreements

What Is Agreements?

Establishes and Maintains Agreements means partnering with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans, and goals. It includes establishing agreements for the overall coaching engagement as well as for each coaching session.

Why It Matters for ICF Certification

Without clear agreements, coaching sessions can drift aimlessly. ICF assessors specifically look for evidence that the coach establishes a clear session focus, checks for alignment with the client, and manages the session structure while remaining flexible.

Key Markers ICF Assessors Look For

• Explains what coaching is and is not, and describes the process to the client
• Reaches agreement about what is appropriate and not appropriate in the relationship
• Reaches agreement about the coaching relationship guidelines
• Partners with the client to identify what they want to accomplish in the session
• Partners with the client to define success measures for the session
• Manages time and focus of the session

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Jumping into coaching without establishing what the client wants to work on
• Not checking back on the session goal during the conversation
• Letting the session wander without redirecting to the agreed focus
• Assuming you know what the client wants without asking
• Not defining what success looks like for the session

Practice Questions for Agreements

How to Improve Agreements

1. Always start sessions with a clear contracting question
2. Practice mid-session check-ins: 'Is this what you wanted to explore?'
3. Define success measures early: 'What would make this session valuable?'
4. Learn to redirect gently when sessions drift
5. Use AI practice sessions to develop your session-opening routine