What To Do if Your Coaching Client Wants To Quit: 4 Easy Steps
These four simple steps have helped me navigate the most challenging situations I’ve ever encountered as a coach. And I hope might help you navigate them as well.
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It’s morning. You wake up, pour your coffee, and sit down at your desk. Waiting for you in your inbox is an email from one of your clients telling you that they think your work together has come to an end.
You feel a sense of shock and surprise. Maybe some part of you knew this was coming. But even though you knew the work had been challenging, the reality of this situation sinks in.
As your mind starts to reel you feel a desire to shoot back a quick reply.
You think about offering a discount, more time with you, or something else.
You wonder if they’ll want a refund for the work you’ve already done.
You feel groundless, uncertain, and maybe you even doubt if you should be in business at all.
The truth is that clients quit.
They do it all the time.
As a transformational coach, my client’s wanting to quit is often a sign that the work we’re doing is powerful. That the client is on their edge and on the cusp of creating a lasting change in their lives.
When this kind of change shows up the desire to turn back can be strong.
Most of the time I’m able to work with a client to keep them engaged and focused on what they want and what’s in the way.
But sometimes client’s just quit. And when that happens there’s usually nothing I can do about it. They’ve made a choice and they aren’t interested in getting supported to find a way through.
When that happens I follow four simple steps.
These four simple steps have helped me navigate the most challenging situations I’ve ever encountered as a coach. And I hope might help you navigate them as well.
Step 1 — Pause
The #1 mistake I’ve made in responding to someone who wants to quit is responding too quickly. In the moments…
