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Say What You See w/ Chris Marr

🎥 CCC 004: Address client issues early to prevent bigger problems

Published 28 days ago • 4 min read

Hi Coach,

As you look ahead to another busy week, it’s essential to prepare for the critical conversations you'll have with your clients.

But how often do we find ourselves reacting to problems rather than proactively addressing them?

This week's focus is on a simple yet powerful question: Are you getting ahead of client concerns, or are you waiting for them to become problems?

For more detailed insights, check out the podcast on your favourite platform:

Key Takeaways

  • Proactive vs. Reactive Coaching: Learn why it's crucial to address client concerns early before they escalate into bigger issues.
  • The Importance of Setting Standards: Understand the role of a coach in setting the pace, urgency, and standards for client progress.
  • Real-World Examples: Discover real-life scenarios where waiting to address client issues led to missed opportunities and how proactive intervention could have made a difference.
  • Actionable Strategies: Get practical advice on how to initiate difficult conversations, trust your instincts, and maintain momentum in client progress.
  • Weekly Reflection: A guide to assessing your current client relationships and identifying where you need to step in and get ahead of potential issues.

The challenge: Waiting until it’s too late

We've all been there—sensing something off in our client's progress, noticing a shift in their behaviour, or feeling that they're not fully dialled in.

Yet, instead of addressing these concerns immediately, we sometimes hold back, hoping the client will bring it up themselves.

The problem?

When the client voices their concern, it’s often too late.

What was once a small issue has now snowballed into a significant barrier to their success.

"The position you don't want to be in as a coach is that things aren't going to plan, and it's the client that tells you they're not going to plan."

Why proactive coaching matters

As coaches, our role is not just to respond but to anticipate.

Proactive coaching means setting the pace, standards, and urgency in a way that keeps your clients on track.

It’s about being the one who identifies potential issues early, so they can be addressed before they derail progress.

This approach not only reinforces your authority as a coach but also builds trust with your clients, showing them that you’re truly invested in their success.

"We are the ones that should raise it. We set the standard. We set the pace, we set the sense of urgency."

A real-world example: The cost of waiting

Let me share a story from my own experience.

One of the coaches I work with had a client who wasn’t progressing as expected.

The coach sensed something was wrong but didn’t address it immediately.

By the time they finally had a one-on-one, the issue had grown into a significant problem that could have been mitigated if caught earlier.

The takeaway?

Don’t wait for the “right moment” to have these conversations. The right moment is always now.

"The earlier you can get it—like nip it in the bud as early as possible—the better."

How to get ahead of it

  1. Trust your instincts: If you sense something isn’t right, it probably isn’t. Don’t ignore those gut feelings.
  2. Initiate the conversation early: Address concerns while they’re still small. This keeps the discussion manageable and prevents issues from escalating.
  3. Set the standard: Remember, you’re the coach. You set the tone for what’s acceptable. Don’t wait for your client to tell you things aren’t working; be the one to point it out first.
  4. Focus on the solution: When you bring up a concern, aim to resolve it quickly. Keep the conversation solution-oriented to maintain momentum.
"You say what you see, and you don't want to be in that position where the client is the one telling us what's going on."

Looking ahead: Your action plan for the week

As you map out your week, take a moment to reflect on your current clients.

Are there any concerns you've been hesitant to address?

Is there a client who’s been occupying more of your thoughts than usual?

This week, make it a priority to get ahead of any potential issues.

Set up a call, send an email, and initiate those difficult conversations before they become harder to tackle.

Remember, your role as a coach is to guide, anticipate, and lead.

By getting ahead of concerns, you not only help your clients achieve their goals but also reinforce your position as an authoritative, proactive coach.

"Can you get ahead of it now, while it's still a concern, before it becomes a problem?"

Wrapping up

This week’s episode of Critical Client Conversations dives deeper into this topic with practical examples and strategies.

If you’re ready to sharpen your approach and make sure you’re fully prepared for the week ahead, I encourage you to watch the video or listen to the podcast linked below.

For more detailed insights, check out the podcast on your favourite platform:

🗣️ 👀

Chris.

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Say What You See w/ Chris Marr

I’m Chris Marr, and in this newsletter, I’ll help you master the art of communicating confidently, directly, and authoritatively with your clients. You’ll get actionable tips and insights on setting boundaries, managing difficult scenarios, and becoming indispensable to your clients. My goal is to give you the tools to build stronger client relationships, do your best work, and help your clients achieve true transformation.

Chris Marr is the Author of 'Become an Authoritative Coach' and works with established client-facing professionals to help them go from good to great and have more breakthrough conversations with their clients and teams.

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