The ICF Code of Ethics (Section 1.1) requires coaches to "create an agreement/contract regarding the roles, responsibilities, and rights of all parties involved" before coaching begins. ICF Competency 3 ("Establishes and Maintains Agreements") further emphasizes clarity on logistics, such as session scheduling, to ensure mutual understanding and a structured process. Let’s evaluate the options:
A. A list of professional development resources: While resources might be helpful, they are not essential to the coaching agreement per ICF standards, which focus on the relationship and process, not supplementary materials.
B. How and when sessions will be scheduled: This is critical to specify, as it establishes the practical framework for the coaching relationship (e.g., frequency, duration, method), aligning with ICF’s requirement for clear expectations (ICF Code of Ethics, Section 1.2).
C. The client’s profession: This may inform coaching context but isn’t essential to the agreement, which focuses on roles and process, not personal details (ICF Competency 3).
D. The coach’s qualifications: While transparency about qualifications is ethical (ICF Code of Ethics, Section 2.1), it’s not a mandatory component of the agreement unless requested by the client.
Option B is essential, as it directly supports the ICF’s emphasis on a clear, operational coaching agreement.
