The Art of Re-Contracting: How Evolving Coaching Partnerships Thrive Without Blurred Lines
Co-Authored By: Michelle Robindell, PCC, CPCC (Ripple Effect Consulting & Coaching) & Brian Duff, ACC, CPCC (Cusp of Change Coaching)
Relationships are dynamic. Whether in executive leadership, team development, or professional coaching, human connections are never fixed. They grow, adapt, and shift context.
Yet, in the professional world, shifts in dynamic often create awkwardness or ambiguity. Roles can easily become unclear, expectations can drift, and boundaries can often get muddy.
In our work together over the past several years, we've discovered that a secret to navigating changing relationships is to embrace these natural shifts. We do this by leaning into one of the most vital core competencies defined by the International Coaching Federation (ICF): Establishing and Maintaining Agreements.
In coaching, we call this contracting. While many view contracting as an administrative exercise done at the start of an engagement, true contracting is a living, continuous conversation. When done intentionally, re-contracting allows a relationship to evolve through multiple chapters while strengthening trust every step of the way.
Here is the story of how our own professional partnership evolved across four distinct chapters, and what it taught us about the power of intentional agreement.
Chapter 1: Client and Consultant
Our story began in a corporate boardroom. Brian was an employee at an organization that had brought in Michelle’s consulting team for leadership development work.
We hit it off immediately. Michelle created a warm, trust-filled environment that allowed us to co-create impactful programs for leaders. Brian brought enthusiasm and clarity about his vision, as well as deep care for the leaders at his organization. Even in those early days, the foundation of our work was rooted in mutual respect, psychological safety, and a shared passion for human growth.
Chapter 2: Mentor Coach and Mentee
Years later, when Brian decided to pursue coaching as a dedicated career path, Michelle was the first person he reached out to. Both trained in the Co-Active coaching methodology, we shared a common language and philosophy around human potential.
When Brian entered his formal coach certification, he invited Michelle to be his mentor coach. This required our first explicit shift in contracting. We moved from former client and consultant to mentor and mentee.
Throughout certification, Michelle held space at Brian’s growth edge, offering rigorous, transformative feedback while ensuring Brian felt thoroughly supported. Brian brought a deep commitment to building mastery as a coach, as well as an experimental, curious mindset around building a successful coaching practice. Towards the end of that journey, Michelle put a wish out into the universe: We are going to work together again one day.
Chapter 3: Lead Consultant and Subcontractor
Six months later, that intention manifested. Michelle secured a meaningful leadership development contract and invited Brian to partner with her as a subcontractor.
This brought a whole new layer to our dynamic. We were shifting from a mentor-mentee relationship to a commercial partnership delivering high-stakes work for a client.
Before diving into course design, we sat down and intentionally re-contracted:
How would we communicate when we disagreed?
How would we balance leading sessions versus supporting from the side?
What did success look like for both of our individual businesses?
Because we met this transition with total transparency, the re-contracting felt effortless. Over the following months, we co-delivered a stellar leadership program built on quality, heart, and authenticity.
We quickly realized that our strengths complemented each other in an extraordinary way. Brian brought an eagerness to build working drafts, an analytical mindset, and a drive to support the client authentically. Michelle brought the deep listening of a master facilitator, sharp business acumen, and the fine-tuned intuition of a seasoned consultant.
The sum became vastly greater than the parts.
Chapter 4: Cross-Partners and Firm Friends
As our work expanded, so did our mutual respect. A few months ago, Michelle honoured Brian by adding him as an official partner to Ripple Effect Consulting & Coaching. Shortly after, Brian repaid the compliment by adding Michelle as a partner to Cusp of Change Coaching.
Our brand ethos remains independent, yet joined. Our practices are distinct, yet complementary.
Along the way, a wonderful third hat emerged: genuine friendship. Today, we transition seamlessly from lead consultant and subcontractor, to client and coach, to friends catching up over lunch.
Lines never blur. No boundaries get overstepped. Why? Because we constantly talk about the hat we are wearing in any given conversation.
Why Re-Contracting Matters for Every Leader
You don't have to be a certified coach to benefit from intentional re-contracting. Whether you’re leading a team, managing a cross-functional project, or navigating a changing workplace dynamic, keep these three principles in mind:
Acknowledge the Shift Out Loud: When roles or contexts change, name it. Don't assume the old rules automatically still apply.
Separate the Relationship from the Role: You can be firm friends and still hold high standards of accountability in a project. Explicit contracting makes space for both.
Treat Agreements as Living Documents: Re-visiting an agreement isn't a sign that something is broken. It is proof that the relationship is alive and adapting
[A note from Brian] Looking Ahead: Deepening the Coaching Edge
As our partnership continues to flourish, Michelle is stepping into her next exciting horizon: entering a Coach Supervision training program.
Coach supervision is where experienced coaches go to reflect deeply on their work, sharpen their ethical edge, and unpack complex client dynamics. Having experienced Michelle's transformative mentor coaching firsthand, I know she will be an extraordinary supervisor for coaches seeking to deepen their craft.
When you take the time to contract with intention, you create the safety required for relationships to grow beyond your initial expectations. Here is to many more years of shared work, deep growth, and lasting friendship.
To learn more about our individual and joint offerings, visit Cusp of Change Coaching and Ripple Effect Consulting & Coaching.
