‘Contracting’ in Coaching Conversations

In JJC’s “Coaching is an Art” program (aka ‘Leader-as-Coach’), we guide leaders to develop strong coaching skills. Over nine months, participants learn to successfully and sustainably apply the most important coaching skills in their workplace. One skill we make sure every participant masters is ‘contracting’. ‘Contracting’ is a crucial part of every coaching conversation. Indeed, one past participant told me: “Julie, I find that with just about any conversation (coaching or not), when I don’t contract, it just doesn’t go as well!”

What differentiates ‘contracting’ in a coaching relationship from typical contracts is that it is dynamic. A coach ‘contracts’ with their coachee – and recontracts as often as necessary – in order to enter into agreement about logistics, goals, and subject-matter. How often shall we meet? What are your coaching goals? What would you like to discuss today? ‘Contracting’ occurs at the start of the coaching relationship, and it occurs at the start of each coaching session. Yet ‘contracting’ also occurs during coaching conversations. We call this ‘contracting in the moment’.

So, what is ‘contracting in the moment’? Simply put, it’s a technique where the coach and coachee agree on the direction of their conversation as it unfolds. This ensures that both parties are aligned and ready to move forward together. Here are some practical examples of how you can use contracting in your coaching sessions:

• Checking for Completion: “Have we covered this topic for now, or is there something more to discuss here?”
• Shifting to Solutions: “Would you find it useful to start brainstorming solutions?”
• Exploring Deeper: “Would it be interesting to dig deeper into possible causes of this situation?”
• Connecting Discussions: “I have a few thoughts regarding our last discussion and how it might connect with what we are talking about right now. Would you like me to share them?”
• Clarifying Understanding: “Shall I summarize my understanding of the situation you just described, to see if I’ve understood it correctly?”
• Navigating Next Steps: “OK, we have covered X and Y. Where would you like us to turn our attention to next?”
• Focusing on Usefulness: “What would you find useful to focus on now?”

By asking these questions, you are ‘contracting in the moment’, so that you can smoothly navigate potential shifts in the conversation. ‘Contracting’ ensures that both you and your coachee are on the same page, ready and willing to focus on the next topic. This approach not only keeps the conversation productive, but also empowers the coachee to take an active role in their development.

Remember, the goal of ‘contracting’ is to create a collaborative and supportive environment. By incorporating ‘contracting in the moment’ into your coaching conversations, you can enhance the effectiveness of your sessions and foster a stronger connection with your coachee.

Happy coaching!