Bring on the haters, but we're gonna say it. We don't recommend attorneys or other divorce professionals to clients. And we think it's risky business for coaches to do it.
In this week's episode, Tracy and Debra chat about the reasons they don't share lists of recommended professionals with clients. Aside from the fact that both of them work nationally and internationally, it's not a practice they employ with local clients either.
The number one reason is because it takes away the client's agency. It strips them of the power to make their own divorce decisions. Coaching is about helping the client self-discover what they want and what they need, so why would choosing an attorney or a CDFA be any different?
Often clients come to us feeling overwhelmed, uniformed, and anxious about what to do next. We add the most value to helping them explore their fears, prioritize their needs, and determine what information they need. If they decide they need some outside expertise, we can best support them by identifying the interview questions they need to ask to determine if a given professional is the best fit for them. Then after those interviews, we can process what they learned so they can make the right choice for themselves.
One of the risks we run when recommending or referring is that we can't know who is fit for an individual client. Just because a previous client had a good experience doesn't mean that this client will. And if they don't? Now you're in the hot seat. And that's not good for your coaching relationship or your business.
Your best bet is to stick with coaching rule #1 - Ask, Don't Tell. Use your powerful questioning skills rather than giving your client a list. You'll be protected and it will serve your client better in the long run as they gain confidence to make their own decisions.
You can learn more about DCA™ or find out about any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:
Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademy
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academy
Email: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com