Business Coaching Contract: Template and Key Clauses (2026)

A business coaching contract is the agreement between a coach and a business owner, founder or executive for coaching aimed at growth, leadership or performance. It differs from life coaching in two ways: the client is usually a company rather than an individual, and real commercial information changes hands. That means confidentiality, intellectual property in the coach's frameworks, and a clear no-guarantee position on business results all carry more weight. A plain contract keeps the engagement professional and protects both sides. Below is a template you can copy, followed by a walk-through. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules on confidentiality, intellectual property and consumer or business contracts vary by country and state, so confirm the local position. ## A business coaching contract template you can copy ``` BUSINESS COACHING AGREEMENT Date: [date] Coach: [name, company, contact] Client: [company name / individual, contact] 1. SCOPE OF COACHING The Coach will provide [number] coaching sessions of [length] over [period], plus [email support, review of documents, strategy work]. Focus areas: [leadership, sales, operations, growth]. Coaching is advisory; the Coach does not manage the business or make its decisions. 2. THE CLIENT'S ROLE The Client remains responsible for all business decisions, actions and compliance. The Coach provides perspective, structure and accountability, not instructions the Client must follow. 3. FEES Fee: [retainer per month / package / per session] of [amount], paid [in advance]. Expenses such as travel are [included / charged at cost]. Late payment is charged at [rate]. 4. TERM AND TERMINATION The engagement runs for [period] and renews [terms]. Either party may end it with [number] days written notice. Fees for work done to date remain payable. 5. CONFIDENTIALITY Each party keeps the other's confidential business information secret and uses it only for the coaching. This covers financials, plans, customers and strategy, and continues after the engagement ends. 6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY The Coach's frameworks, models, worksheets and materials remain the Coach's property and are licensed to the Client for internal use only. Work product the Client creates about its own business belongs to the Client. 7. NO GUARANTEE OF RESULTS The Coach brings experience and method with reasonable skill, but business results depend on the Client, the market and factors outside the Coach's control. No specific revenue or outcome is guaranteed. 8. CONFLICTS The Coach will disclose and manage any conflict, such as coaching a direct competitor, in line with [terms]. 9. LIABILITY The Coach's total liability is capped at the fees paid in the last [number] months. The Coach is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including lost profit. 10. STATUS AND GOVERNING LAW The Coach is an independent contractor. This agreement is governed by the law of [place]. SIGNED Coach: ____________ Date ______ Client: ____________ Date ______