A CEO approached me because his private company had been acquired and he wondered what his future would be. Normally, I don't use confidentially agreements for personal coaching, because they're not necessary. I guarantee confidentiality verbally, and that is enough.
In this case, the candidate seemed worried about discussing private matters, so I suggested a written letter, and this put him at ease. This isn't really an agreement, because he's not agreeing to anything. It's merely a statement of my commitment. Notice the flag letterhead on this piece. It was written three short months after 9/11, and we were still in shock.
December 17, 2001
Russell R. Plymale
President/CEO
Multinational Securities Corporation
1370 Seventeenth Street - Suite 5000
Denver, Colorado 80202
RE: Confidentiality
Dear Russ,
I understand that the issues, names, facts, and situations discussed in our Executive Coaching meetings are highly confidential, and that disclosing any information from our work together could create damaging and irreparable consequences for you.
Therefore, I agree to keep the form, substance, and particulars of all our meetings—as well as any reports we generate—utterly confidential. This means that I will not share them with anyone—not with your employer(s), my spouse, customers, confidants, personal friends—or anyone else.
Without exception, any communication about the nature of our sessions, our progress, or topics discussed and results derived will always come from you to your intended audience.
Very truly yours,
William S. Frank
President/CEO