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Description

The Professional Coach’s Craft: Contracting, Questioning and Running a Session

Three days to acquire the stance and session structure that set coaching apart from consulting

  • 3 days — 21 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Many professionals already support others without a proper framework: they listen, advise, offer solutions and then observe that the other person leaves without committing to anything. The boundary with consulting or a managerial discussion remains blurred, and the relationship quickly becomes uncomfortable for both parties.

Three days to lay the foundations of the profession: what a coaching agreement is, how to turn a request into a working objective, how to run a session through questioning, and how to stay within your role. Practice takes place in triads, with observation and structured feedback.

Learning objectives

  • Distinguish coaching from consulting, training and managerial discussions
  • Establish a coaching agreement with your client
  • Turn an initial request into a working objective
  • Run a session using a clearly identifiable interview structure
  • Practise questioning that moves the client forward
  • Identify the limits of your intervention

What makes this programme different

Practice takes place in triads with an observer and structured feedback
Sessions are run on real topics brought by the participants
The limits of coaching are addressed through concrete referral situations

Programme

1Coaching and Its Boundaries

Knowing what you do and what you do not do

  • Position coaching among the various support practices
  • Identify what belongs to consulting or to clinical care
  • Define the coach's responsibility and the client's
  • Recognise requests that should be referred elsewhere

2The Agreement

Setting the rules before starting

  • Gather the request and its context
  • Set the duration, rhythm and practical arrangements
  • Clarify confidentiality and the sponsor's role
  • Put the agreement in writing

3From Request to Objective

Turning vagueness into a workable topic

  • Explore the situation without looking for the solution
  • Distinguish the stated problem from the real issue
  • Formulate an observable objective with the client
  • Check the client's motivation to work on the topic

4Running the Session

A structure that holds from start to finish

  • Open the session and link back to the previous one
  • Follow a clearly identifiable interview structure
  • Practise questioning, reformulation and silence
  • Close on a commitment from the client

5The Coach's Stance

Staying in your place

  • Notice your urge to advise and to reassure
  • Manage silences and moments of deadlock
  • Welcome an emotion without changing role
  • Organise your own practice review

Who is it for

Managers, consultants, trainers and human resources professionals wishing to take their first steps in coaching practice.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.