Client Onboarding

“Welcome, and thank you for choosing to work with me. Before we begin, I’d like to take some time to explain how coaching works, what you can expect from me, what I will and won’t do, and how we will work together. This is important so that you can make an informed decision about entering into this coaching relationship, and so we can build clarity, trust, and safety from the very beginning.”

“Coaching is a professional, thought-provoking and structured partnership designed to help you increase awareness, gain clarity, explore possibilities, and take meaningful action aligned with what matters most to you.”

“In coaching, I will not be advising you, directing you, or telling you what to do. Instead, I will support you in thinking more deeply, seeing patterns, challenging assumptions where appropriate, and helping you access your own insight and decision-making.”

“My role as your coach is to hold a safe, confidential, and structured space where you can think clearly. I will listen deeply, ask questions that support awareness, reflect back what I hear, notice patterns, and support you in exploring new perspectives. I will challenge you when it serves your awareness and growth, and I will always aim to support your autonomy and thinking rather than replace it.”

“Your role as the client is to bring openness, honesty, and willingness to explore your thinking. You remain responsible for your own decisions, actions, and outcomes. Coaching works best when you are willing to reflect, be curious, and take ownership of what you choose to do with the insights that emerge.”

“It is also important to understand what coaching is not. Coaching is not therapy, counselling, psychological treatment, medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, consulting, or mentoring. I do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe solutions, and I do not act as an expert on your life or decisions. If at any point it becomes clear that another professional would better support you, I will discuss that with you and encourage appropriate referral.”

“Everything we discuss in coaching is confidential. This means that what you share with me stays between us and is not shared with anyone else without your permission.”

“There are a few important exceptions to confidentiality. If there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else, if there is a legal obligation such as a court order, or if there is a safeguarding requirement related to abuse or neglect, I may be required to break confidentiality. If that ever happens, I will wherever possible discuss it with you first before taking any action.”

“If a third party such as an organisation or sponsor is involved in your coaching, I will still treat you as the primary client. What I share with any third party will be limited, agreed in advance, and typically restricted to things like attendance, progress against agreed coaching outcomes, and whether coaching is ongoing or complete. I will not share the content of our conversations, personal disclosures, or sensitive reflections unless you explicitly give consent. The coaching space remains yours, and it is not a reporting or performance evaluation process.”

“I work according to recognised professional coaching ethics, including those set by bodies such as the ICF, EMCC, and COMENSA. This means I will act with integrity, maintain clear boundaries, respect your autonomy, avoid conflicts of interest, and only work within my professional competence. If I believe I am no longer the right coach for you, or that another form of support would better serve you, I will tell you openly and support you in making that transition.”

“This coaching relationship is a partnership. You bring your lived experience, context, and goals. I bring presence, process, and coaching skill. You remain fully responsible for your decisions and actions, and I remain responsible for holding a professional, ethical, and effective coaching process.”

“The goal of coaching is to support you in increasing awareness, gaining clarity, exploring options, making intentional decisions, and taking meaningful action aligned with what matters most to you. Coaching does not guarantee specific outcomes, but it does create a structured space for thinking, learning, and growth.”

“Each coaching session will typically follow a natural flow. We will begin by checking in and clarifying what you want to focus on. We will then explore your topic in depth, increase awareness, identify patterns, generate insight and options, and move toward decisions or actions. We will end by summarising key learnings and agreeing on any actions you choose to take.”

“Between sessions, the real work often continues. You may reflect, notice patterns, experiment with new behaviours, or take actions you committed to. What happens between sessions is an important part of the coaching process.”

“I also invite ongoing feedback. If something is or isn’t working for you in the coaching process, I encourage you to tell me directly so we can adjust how we work together. This is your space as much as it is mine.”

“Sessions are sometimes recorded for learning, supervision, or quality purposes, but this will only happen with your explicit permission, and you are always free to decline.”

“Any information you share is used solely for the purpose of coaching and is handled responsibly and securely in line with professional and legal standards.”

“I also maintain professional boundaries at all times. This means keeping our relationship focused on coaching, avoiding dual relationships, and ensuring that the coaching space remains safe, ethical, and free from conflicts of interest.”

“I want to be very clear that coaching only works if there is mutual commitment. I am committed to showing up fully, listening deeply, and holding a high standard of coaching practice. I ask that you commit to showing up honestly, engaging in the process, and taking responsibility for your own thinking and actions.”

“Before we begin, I want to make sure you fully understand what we’ve discussed, including the nature of coaching, my role, your role, confidentiality and its limits, and the ethical framework I operate within. If anything is unclear, please ask me.”

“So I’d like to invite any questions you might have about how we will work together, what coaching is, or anything I’ve shared so far.”

“Finally, based on everything we’ve discussed, I want to check whether you freely choose to enter into this coaching relationship with me, with full understanding and consent.”

“If yes, then we will begin.”

“And to start our first session together, I’d like to ask: what feels most important for us to focus on today?”

Welcome

"Welcome. Before we begin, I'd like to explain what coaching is, what it isn't, how we'll work together, and answer any questions you have. This ensures we're both entering this coaching relationship with clarity, trust, and shared expectations."

What Coaching Is

"Coaching is a collaborative partnership designed to help you think more clearly, gain greater self-awareness, unlock your own potential, and move towards goals that are meaningful to you."

"Rather than giving advice or telling you what to do, my role is to ask powerful questions, listen deeply, challenge your thinking where appropriate, and create a safe space where you can discover your own answers."

"I believe that you are naturally resourceful, creative and capable of finding solutions that are right for you."

My Role as Your Coach

"My role includes:"

• Creating a confidential and psychologically safe environment.

• Listening deeply and without judgement.

• Asking questions that increase your awareness.

• Helping you explore different perspectives.

• Challenging assumptions respectfully.

• Helping you identify limiting beliefs.

• Encouraging accountability.

• Supporting you in creating meaningful actions.

• Helping you stay focused on your goals.

• Maintaining professional and ethical standards.

"I will walk beside you, but I won't walk the path for you."

Your Role as the Client

"Your role is equally important."

"To get the greatest value from coaching, I ask that you:"

• Be honest with yourself.

• Be willing to explore uncomfortable topics.

• Be open to different perspectives.

• Take responsibility for your own decisions.

• Complete any actions you commit to.

• Tell me if something isn't working.

• Let me know if you need something different from me.

"This partnership works best when we both actively participate."

What Coaching Is Not

"It's also important to understand what coaching is not."

"Coaching is not:"

• Therapy or counselling.

• Psychology.

• Medical treatment.

• Legal advice.

• Financial advice.

• Consulting.

• Mentoring.

• Training.

• Crisis intervention.

"If at any stage I believe another professional could better support you, I will discuss this with you and, where appropriate, recommend a referral."

Confidentiality

"Everything you share during our coaching sessions is treated as confidential."

"Confidentiality is one of the foundations of coaching because trust allows meaningful conversations to happen."

"I will not disclose anything you share without your permission except where I am legally or ethically required to do so."

Limits of Confidentiality

"There are a few exceptions where confidentiality may need to be broken."

These include situations involving:

• Serious risk of harm to yourself.

• Serious risk of harm to another person.

• Abuse or neglect where reporting is required by law.

• A court order or legal requirement.

• Professional supervision, where your identity will be protected whenever possible and discussions remain confidential.

"If one of these situations arises, I will, wherever possible, discuss it with you first."

Coaching Ethics

"As your coach, I work according to recognised professional ethical standards."

"These include:"

• Respecting your dignity.

• Respecting your autonomy.

• Working in your best interests.

• Remaining objective.

• Avoiding conflicts of interest.

• Maintaining professional boundaries.

• Acting honestly and transparently.

• Maintaining my own professional development.

• Seeking supervision when appropriate.

• Working only within my competence.

Coaching Relationship

"This coaching relationship is a partnership."

"You remain responsible for:"

• Your decisions.

• Your actions.

• Your behaviours.

• Your results.

"I cannot make decisions for you, nor can I guarantee specific outcomes. What I can guarantee is my commitment to providing a high-quality coaching process."

Goal of Coaching

"Each coaching conversation is designed to help you:"

• Increase awareness.

• Gain clarity.

• Discover options.

• Make intentional decisions.

• Take meaningful action.

• Learn from experience.

• Grow personally or professionally.

Session Structure

"Typically, each session follows a simple flow."

1. Check in.

2. Clarify today's focus.

3. Explore the topic.

4. Increase awareness.

5. Generate options.

6. Decide on actions.

7. Summarise learning.

8. Agree accountability.

Between Sessions

"Most growth happens between coaching sessions."

"I encourage you to:"

• Reflect.

• Observe yourself.

• Complete agreed actions.

• Record insights.

• Notice patterns.

• Bring new awareness back into our next conversation.

Feedback

"At any point, I invite your feedback."

"If something isn't helping, please tell me."

"If you need me to challenge you more, slow down, ask different questions, or approach things differently, I welcome that conversation."

Recording Sessions

"If sessions are ever recorded for learning, supervision, or quality purposes, I will always ask for your explicit permission beforehand."

Use of Information

"Any personal information you provide will be handled securely and only used for purposes related to our coaching relationship, in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws."

Professional Boundaries

"To protect the coaching relationship, I maintain professional boundaries. If at any point a conflict of interest arises or I believe I am no longer the right coach for you, I will discuss this openly and support an appropriate transition if needed."

Commitment

"Coaching works best when we both commit fully to the process."

"I commit to bringing my full attention, curiosity, professionalism, respect, and ethical practice to every session."

"I ask that you bring openness, honesty, commitment, and a willingness to take action."

Questions

"Before we begin, what questions do you have about coaching, how we'll work together, or anything we've discussed?"

(Pause and answer any questions.)

Informed Consent

"Based on what we've discussed, do you understand the purpose of coaching, the nature of our coaching relationship, the limits of confidentiality, and your responsibilities within this process?"

"Do you consent to proceed with coaching under these terms?"

Transition into Coaching

"Wonderful. Thank you for your trust."

"Let's begin."

"What would make today's conversation most valuable for you?"

MCC-Level Contracting Conversation

"Is Coaching the Right Approach for You Right Now?"

One of the hallmarks of a Master Certified Coach (MCC) is that they do not assume coaching is always the best intervention. Before beginning, they partner with the client to determine whether coaching is appropriate, whether another intervention would better serve the client, and whether the client is ready to engage in a coaching relationship.

The following script integrates the expectations of ICF (Core Competencies 1–3), COMENSA, and EMCC.

Welcome

"Thank you for choosing to work with me. Before we begin coaching, I'd like us to spend a few minutes exploring whether coaching is actually the right support for you at this point in your life."

"My responsibility isn't simply to coach everyone who comes to me. My responsibility is to ensure that coaching is the most appropriate service for your current situation."

What Coaching Is

"Coaching is a thought-provoking and creative partnership. It is designed to help you increase your awareness, clarify what matters most, discover your own solutions, make intentional decisions, and take meaningful action."

"As your coach, I won't tell you what to do, solve your problems for you, or provide expert advice. Instead, I'll ask questions that help you think more deeply, challenge assumptions where appropriate, and support you in finding answers that fit your life, values, and goals."

Determining Readiness

"Before we continue, I'd like to understand a little more about what brings you here."

Questions

• What made you decide to seek coaching now?

• Why is this important today rather than six months ago?

• What would success from coaching look like?

• What would need to happen for you to say coaching was worthwhile?

• What have you already tried?

• What do you believe is getting in your way?

• What level of commitment are you prepared to make to your own growth?

Exploring Suitability

"Coaching works best when someone is ready to reflect, learn, experiment, and take responsibility for their own decisions."

"I'd like to ask a few questions to understand whether coaching is the best fit."

Questions

• Are you looking for someone to give you answers, or someone who helps you discover your own?

• Are you open to having your thinking challenged?

• Are you willing to explore uncomfortable conversations?

• Are you ready to take action between sessions?

• Are you prepared to be accountable for the commitments you make?

• Are you willing to examine your own assumptions and beliefs?

Explaining Alternatives

"Sometimes coaching isn't the most appropriate service."

"Depending on what emerges today, we may discover that another form of support would better meet your needs."

Examples include:

• Counselling or psychotherapy

• Clinical psychology

• Medical care

• Legal advice

• Financial advice

• Consulting

• Mentoring

• Training

• Career guidance

• Crisis intervention

"If I believe another professional would better support you, I will discuss that openly with you. If coaching remains appropriate, we will continue together."

What Coaching Requires

"Successful coaching depends less on how many sessions we have and more on the quality of your engagement."

"Coaching generally requires:"

• Honesty

• Curiosity

• Reflection

• Openness

• Courage

• Accountability

• Experimentation

• Action

• Willingness to learn

• Commitment to change

My Role

"My role is to:"

• Create a psychologically safe environment.

• Listen deeply.

• Ask questions that expand awareness.

• Challenge respectfully.

• Notice patterns.

• Reflect what I hear.

• Support your thinking rather than direct it.

• Hold you accountable to what matters most.

• Maintain ethical and professional standards.

• Respect your autonomy.

"I won't judge your choices, make decisions for you, or impose my own agenda."

Your Role

"Your role is to:"

• Decide what you want to work on.

• Tell the truth, especially when it's difficult.

• Be open to reflection.

• Take responsibility for your decisions.

• Complete the actions you choose.

• Let me know when something isn't working.

• Give feedback throughout the process.

"This is a partnership rather than an expert-client relationship."

Confidentiality

"Everything we discuss is confidential. Confidentiality is essential because meaningful coaching depends on trust."

"I will not disclose what you share without your permission except where I am legally or ethically required to do so."

These exceptions include:

• Serious risk of harm to yourself.

• Serious risk of harm to another person.

• Abuse or neglect where reporting is required by law.

• Court orders or other legal obligations.

• Professional supervision, where your identity will be protected wherever possible.

"If one of these situations arises, I will discuss it with you whenever it is safe and legally possible to do so."

Ethics

"I work according to internationally recognised coaching ethics."

"That means I commit to:"

• Acting in your best interests.

• Respecting your autonomy.

• Maintaining confidentiality.

• Avoiding conflicts of interest.

• Working within my competence.

• Referring when another professional is better placed to help.

• Continuing my professional development.

• Engaging in supervision.

• Being transparent throughout our coaching relationship.

Partnership

"Rather than me leading the conversation, I'd like us to co-create how we work together."

Questions

• How do you do your best thinking?

• How would you like me to challenge you?

• What helps you feel psychologically safe?

• What tends to shut you down?

• How will you know if I'm coaching you well?

• What expectations do you have of me?

• What expectations would you like me to have of you?

• How would you like us to handle difficult conversations?

• How should I respond if I notice you're avoiding something important?

• What would make this partnership exceptional for you?

Coaching Agreement

"Let's agree on how we'll work together."

"We'll agree to:

• Respect each other's time.

• Begin and end sessions as agreed.

• Maintain confidentiality.

• Be open and honest.

• Give each other feedback.

• Revisit our agreement whenever needed.

• Adapt our coaching approach as your needs evolve."

"This agreement isn't fixed. If your goals, priorities, or circumstances change, we'll revisit it together."

Final Readiness Check

"Having discussed what coaching is, what it isn't, how we'll work together, and what each of us will contribute, I'd like to ask a few final questions."

Reflection Questions

• Does coaching feel like the right support for you at this time?

• Is there another form of support that you think would serve you better?

• What concerns or hesitations do you have?

• What commitment are you making to yourself today?

• What commitment would you like from me as your coach?

Informed Consent

"Before we begin, I'd like to confirm a few things."

"Do you understand:"

• what coaching is?

• what coaching is not?

• my role?

• your role?

• the limits of confidentiality?

• the nature of our coaching partnership?

• that you remain responsible for your own decisions and actions?

"Do you have any questions before we begin?"

(Pause.)

"Based on everything we've discussed, do you freely choose to enter into this coaching partnership and consent to proceed?"

Beginning the Coaching Conversation

"Thank you."

"What would make today's conversation the most valuable use of our time together?"

At MCC level, ethics stops being a “code you comply with” and becomes a way of being in relationship with the client, the organisation, and the profession. It’s less about rules and more about discernment, presence, and responsibility for impact.

Below is a clear MCC-level breakdown of what you can and can’t do, and how ethics is actually held in live coaching.

MCC-Level Ethics (Core Principle)

At Master Certified Coach level:

“I do not impose, advise, fix, rescue, or direct. I hold space so the client can access their own highest level of thinking, responsibility, and choice.”

Ethics is measured by:

• The quality of client autonomy

• The absence of coach agenda

• The integrity of presence

• The impact of your intervention, not your intention

WHAT I CAN DO (MCC ETHICAL RANGE)

1. I Can Hold Deep, Non-Directive Space

I can:

• Stay silent longer than feels comfortable

• Let the client struggle productively

• Allow emotional discomfort without rescuing

• Hold ambiguity without rushing to clarity

• Trust emergence over structure

MCC stance: “I trust the client’s process more than my urge to be helpful.”

2. I Can Challenge at a Deep Identity Level

I can:

• Challenge beliefs, identity narratives, and meaning-making

• Reflect contradictions in real time

• Interrupt patterns of avoidance or rationalisation

• Name systemic or emotional dynamics you observe

BUT:

• Only when it serves client awareness, not coach insight

3. I Can Use Myself as an Instrument

I can ethically use:

• My emotional resonance (“I notice I feel a shift as you say that…”)

• My intuition (carefully, tentatively offered)

• My body-based sensing of energy, congruence, tension

BUT:

• It must always be offered, not imposed

• Always returned to client authority

4. I Can Work With Systemic Dynamics

I can:

• Explore organisational, relational, cultural patterns

• Surface power dynamics (without activism or bias projection)

• Support client thinking about stakeholders and systems

5. I Can Contract at Meta-Level

I can co-create:

• How I will challenge you

• How feedback will be given

• How “stuckness” will be handled

• Whether silence, confrontation, or reflection works best

6. I Can Refer Out (Ethically Required)

I can and must:

• Refer to therapy, counselling, medical or legal support when needed

• Recognise trauma, pathology, or crisis indicators

• Stop coaching if it is no longer appropriate

WHAT I CANNOT DO (MCC ETHICAL BOUNDARIES)

1. I Should Not Give Advice or Solutions

Even subtly.

I should not:

• Tell you what to do

• Suggest “best options”

• Recommend life decisions

• Use disguised advice (“If I were you…”)

Even when I am right — it breaks coaching integrity.

2. I Cannot Take Responsibility for Outcomes

I cannot:

• Guarantee transformation

• Promise results

• Take ownership of your progress

• Push you toward “success” based on your definition

MCC truth: “Client outcomes belong entirely to the client system.”

3. I Cannot Coach From Ego or Agenda

I cannot:

• Steer the session toward your preferred insight

• Show off coaching skill

• Lead the client to “breakthrough moments”

• Over-intervene to demonstrate value

MCC danger zone: coaching performance instead of coaching presence

4. I Cannot Rescue the Client

I cannot:

• Over-function when the client is stuck

• Fill silence because you feel discomfort

• Reduce emotional intensity prematurely

• Protect client from their own experience

5. I Cannot Collude With Avoidance

I cannot:

• Let the client stay in intellectualisation indefinitely

• Avoid challenging when discomfort arises

• Accept vague goals without clarity exploration

• Ignore patterns of self-deception

Ethical breach at MCC level is often under-challenging, not over-challenging.

6. I Should not Cross Role Boundaries

I Should not become:

• Therapist (treat trauma, diagnose, process pathology)

• Consultant (solve business problems directly)

• Mentor (give “this is what I did” guidance)

• Friend (emotional dependency or dual relationship)

Even subtle blending erodes ethical clarity.

MCC ETHICAL DISCERNMENT 

At MCC level, ethics is not rule-following — it is moment-to-moment judgement:

1. “Am I serving the client’s thinking or my need to be useful?”

If it’s usefulness → risk of over-intervention

2. “Is this insight emerging from the client or from me?”

If from you → danger of imposition

3. “Does this increase client autonomy or dependency?”

Autonomy = ethical
Dependency = unethical drift

4. “Am I increasing clarity or reducing discomfort for myself?”

If reducing your discomfort → likely unethical rescue behaviour

MCC CONFIDENTIALITY ETHIC (DEEP LEVEL)

I maintain confidentiality but also:

• I hold context beyond words

• I protect client identity even in supervision

• I never share “interesting stories” without strict anonymisation

• I do not use client material for ego, marketing, or teaching without explicit consent

MCC ETHICAL PRINCIPLE OF “DO NO INTRUSION”

Beyond “do no harm”, MCC adds:

“Do not intrude on the client’s thinking system unnecessarily.”

Intrusion includes:

• Over-questioning

• Over-interpretation

• Over-structuring

• Over-leading

• Over-explaining

Even “good coaching” can become unethical if it disrupts natural client emergence.

MCC ETHICAL POSITIONING (ONE-LINER)

A master-level coach operates from:

“I am not here to improve the client. I am here to deepen their awareness so they can improve their own relationship with reality.”

MCC Coaching Boundaries (What I Can and Can’t Do)

"Before we begin, I want to be very clear about what I do and don’t do as your coach, so you can make an informed decision about working with me."

What I Can Do

"In this coaching space, I can support you to think more clearly, understand yourself more deeply, and make decisions that are aligned with what matters most to you."

"I will listen closely to what you say—and also to what you might not be saying—and I will reflect patterns, contradictions, and assumptions that may help you see things differently."

"I will ask questions that may challenge your thinking, help you slow down your assumptions, and open up new perspectives you may not have considered."

"I will support you in setting meaningful goals, exploring options, and identifying actions that come from your own thinking—not mine."

"I will also hold you accountable to the commitments you choose to make, in a way that supports your growth and learning."

"And I will always work within a professional ethical framework that prioritises your autonomy, dignity, and confidentiality."

What I Cannot Do

"There are also clear limits to what I do."

"I will not tell you what to do, or give you advice or instructions on how to live your life."

"I won’t make decisions for you, and I won’t take responsibility for your choices or outcomes."

"I’m not here to fix you, rescue you, or solve problems on your behalf."

"I don’t act as a therapist, counsellor, doctor, lawyer, or financial advisor—so if those types of support are needed, I will encourage you to seek the appropriate professional."

"I also won’t push you toward outcomes that I think are best for you. My role is not to shape your direction, but to help you become clearer about your own."

Responsibility & Ownership

"You remain fully responsible for your own decisions, actions, and results."

"Coaching can be powerful, but it only works if you are willing to take ownership of your own thinking and your own change process."

Confidentiality & Ethics

"Everything you share stays confidential, except in rare situations where I am legally or ethically required to act—for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or a legal obligation requires disclosure."

"I also work under a professional ethical framework, which means I will always act with integrity, maintain boundaries, and be transparent if I believe coaching is no longer the right support for you."

Closing Invitation

"Given everything I’ve just shared, I want to check: does this way of working feel like the right fit for you?"

"And is there anything you want to ask or clarify before we begin?"

Third Party Involvement & Confidentiality (Sponsor)

"I want to also clarify how confidentiality works if there is a third party involved in our coaching relationship, because this is important for trust and transparency."

When a Third Party Is Involved

"Sometimes coaching is paid for or requested by a third party—this could be an organisation, an employer, a sponsor, or someone else who has an interest in your coaching."

"In those cases, there are usually three parties involved: you as the client, me as the coach, and the organisation or sponsor funding or requesting the coaching."

Your Confidentiality Comes First

"Even if a third party is involved, you remain the primary client in the coaching relationship."

"This means that what you share in coaching stays confidential between you and me."

"I will not share session content, personal reflections, or sensitive discussions with any third party unless you explicitly give me permission to do so."

What the Third Party Will Typically Be Told

"If a third party is involved, what I may share with them is very limited and agreed in advance."

Typically, I may share:

• Confirmation that sessions are taking place

• Attendance (whether sessions were attended or missed)

• General progress against agreed coaching objectives

• High-level themes or outcomes (only if agreed with you)

• Whether coaching is ongoing or completed

"I will not share personal details, emotional content, or private conversations unless you explicitly consent."

What Will NOT Be Shared

"To be completely clear, I will not share:"

• What you say in sessions

• Personal insights or disclosures

• Sensitive topics you explore

• Psychological or emotional states in detail

• Any information that could compromise your trust or safety in the coaching space

Your Control Over Information Sharing

"Where there is a third-party sponsor or organisation involved, we will agree upfront what—if anything—gets shared."

"You will always be informed of what is being reported, and wherever possible, I will share it with you first before communicating it to anyone else."

"If you do not want certain information shared, we will discuss what is possible within the coaching agreement."

Limits to Confidentiality (Legal & Ethical)

"There are still rare situations where confidentiality may need to be broken, regardless of who is funding or involved in coaching."

These include:

• Serious risk of harm to yourself or others

• Legal or court-mandated disclosure

• Safeguarding obligations (e.g. abuse or neglect)

• Professional supervision (where your identity is protected where possible)

"If any of these situations arise, I will, wherever possible, discuss it with you first before taking any action."

Impact on the Coaching Relationship

"If coaching is being funded or requested by a third party, I will always be very clear that my primary ethical responsibility is to you as the coaching client."

"That means I will not allow the coaching process to become reporting, evaluation, or performance management disguised as coaching."

"If at any point I feel that third-party expectations are interfering with the integrity of the coaching process, I will raise this openly and, if needed, renegotiate the coaching agreement."

Closing Clarity Check

"Given this explanation, I’d like to check your understanding and comfort level."

• Does this arrangement feel clear and fair to you?

• Do you have any concerns about what might be shared externally?

• Is there anything you would like to adjust before we proceed?