Lemme paint a picture for you.

Let’s say you’re a business coach.

You’re in a session with your client, when suddenly, out of nowhere, they catch you off guard with a question like:

“What technique can I use to deal with my bipolar disorder?”

*Gulp*

Yeah, awkward on multiple levels.

1. You’re not qualified to address mental illness (unless you’re one of the few coaches who’s also a licensed psychologist/therapist).

2. It’s totally outside of the topic they hired you to coach them on!

So whaddaya do?

If you’re already in this moment, best thing is to be honest and direct.

Something like:

See? Nothin’ too crazy.

BUT, here’s how you can prevent the awkward altogether…

With all new clients, have them read and sign an “expectations document”.

This doesn’t replace an actual legal contract between you, but is more of a “written handshake” on what you expect from each other.

Write out some bullet points in plain english of what you do coach on, and what you don’t.

(you’ll probably need to update this several times in the future to include new things you wouldn’t have guessed people would ask you about!)

Just having this in writing and having them sign this will help you to avoid SO MANY awkward conversations, and just keeps both of you safe and focused on what they hired you to help them on.

Here’s a basic expectations document I just put together for you if you need a template.

Quote of the week:

Song of the week:

- Kirk