It's good to have a clear understanding of the coach / client relationship before getting started.  This is part of the agreement that I ask each client to agree to before we begin the coaching partnership.  

    What I do as a coach:

• Listen openly and actively in every conversation we have.
• Ask powerful, direct questions.
• Reflect back to you what I hear you saying.
• Offer different perspectives and options.
• Hold you accountable to your vision and goals.
• Trust you to make your own decisions.
• Appreciate, endorse and support you.
• Request that you take action or complete assignments.

What I don't do as a coach: 

• Diagnose or treat anything.
• Provide counseling or therapy.
• Set the agenda for our conversations.
• Solve your problems for you.
• Do your work for you.
• Try to fix you.
• Judge you.
• Give you "hard" advice (e.g. legal, financial, etc.).
• Take responsibility for your decisions, feelings or actions.

 What I ask from you as my client:   

• Supply the agenda or topic of discussion for each session.
• Be willing to tell the truth to me and to yourself.
• Be willing to stretch yourself.
• Call me on time for our sessions.
• Approach challenges as great opportunities for growth.
• Let me know if something isn't working for you in our partnership.
• When I ask you to take some action or complete an assignment, feel free to accept the challenge, negotiate for what is right for you or decline.