Contracting for Challenge

Contracting with our clients on how they want to be challenged is essential if we want the challenge to be purposeful and empowering.

Many of the clients I work with tell me they want to be challenged by me as their coach.  What they want to be challenged on varies widely – from a set of beliefs, to a behavioural pattern, resistance or self belief. Regardless of what the client wants to be challenged on, each client is unique and therefore will differ in terms of

• WHAT challenge mean to them
• HOW they want to be challenged
• the LEVEL of challenge they want
• the SUPPORT they want when challenged

Contracting with our clients on these four areas will not only provide clarity for both the client and the coach on how they will work together but will absolutely impact on the client’s experience of being challenged in the coaching relationship.

Questions we can ask when contacting for Challenging might sound like

• What does challenge mean to you?
• How do you like / want to be challenged?
• What specifically do you want me to challenge you on?
• How do you recognise when you are experiencing challenge?
• How do you know when the level of challenge is moving you forward?
• How will you recognise when the level of challenge is too high/ low?
• How do you manage yourself when challenged?
• How do you support yourself when challenged?
• How would you like me to support you when you experience challenge?

When we have contracted for challenge with our clients we also need to regularly “check in “ with our client to identify if the level of challenge in the coaching relationship is stretching them.  We can re-contract with our client if necessary in order to turn the level of challenge up or down.

Contracting on challenge also enables our clients to develop their awareness of how they recognise and respond to challenge which in turn prepares them for the challenges that will show up in the coaching experience.

Our challenge as coaches is to be purposeful when we challenge our clients and honour the contract we have made with our clients.

Quality Coaching Circle 

In Quality Coaching Circle (QCC) we assist professionals working in the area of people development to value learning and continuously invest in it. Being a member of QCC gives access to resources that are researched and designed especially to meet the needs of evolving professionals. It’s easier to follow your Daily Knowledge Practices being a member at QCC.

At QCC our members catch up on reading, complete exercises, watch monthly webinars, access expert advice, download case studies, and much more. QCC Premium members attend monthly Live Events where they practice coaching, discuss monthly themes, engage in Co-Active competencies skills discussion and exercises, and get support. QCC is a circle of professionals who are actively exchanging opinions and ideas. They ask and answer questions. Coaches at QCC learn and support each other. QCC was designed based on the “Never stop learning” approach and is there to make a growth mindset an obvious choice for all coaches at every stage of their development.

The key to success in coaching is knowing what it takes to run a professional coaching practice. Continuous Professional Development is without a doubt an enabler and Daily Knowledge Practices a number 1 habit.

If you want to become a member of QCC, here is what you need to know.