You're faced with unexpected client emergencies. How can you effectively reschedule sessions?

When faced with unexpected client emergencies, effective communication is important here. Respond promptly, be clear and transparent about your availability and limitations, and show empathy towards the client's challenges. Collaborate together to find alternative scheduling options that meet the client needs, remember it is all about your client and not you and have your new schedule in writing so they don't misuse the opportunity. Be flexible, have an open and solution-focused communication, by doing that you can build trust, find mutually beneficial solutions, and maintain a positive client relationship despite unexpected emergencies.

Don't forget: as a coach/mentor, your focus should be "It's all about the client". An open, honest dialogue between you and your client will bring out the emergency. You need to be flexible around their needs so you can bend, but don't break. Mutual respect for each others' priorities should be established and you may well find that you can help with the emergency! If you can't, or the client is unwilling for you to be involved, accept it and work within the boundaries that the emergency naturally presents. If those boundaries become too much, be prepared to raise your T&C's policy on rescheduling - after all, they agreed to it and you are not subordinate to their needs, you also have your own. Tough call, but stand firm if needed.

Prioritize their needs while being honest about your constraints. Offering a few rescheduling options shows respect for their time and keeps the momentum going. Also, consider using tools like calendar apps to streamline the process, making it easier for both parties to find a new slot. Lastly, maintain a positive attitude -how you handle the situation reflects your professionalism and commitment to your clients.

Para reprogramar sesiones debido a emergencias inesperadas de los clientes de manera efectiva, es crucial actuar rápidamente y comunicar claramente la situación a todos los participantes. Ofrece varias alternativas de nuevas fechas y horas, utilizando herramientas de programación como Doodle o Google Calendar para facilitar la coordinación. Una vez acordada una nueva fecha, envía una confirmación por escrito para asegurar que todos estén al tanto del cambio. Mantén siempre una actitud profesional y cortés para preservar buenas relaciones con los clientes y colegas.

This is something that should beoutlined in your initial contract and verified as an implicit agreement beforehand. There’s no excuse for being unprepared.

Providing alternative options is going to help you maintain flexibility and demonstrate your commitment to your clients' needs. By offering a range of rescheduling choices, you show that you’re accommodating and solution-oriented, which is going to help you ensure that sessions are not missed while also allowing for continuity in coaching, respecting both your and your client’s time constraints.

Sometimes, people need to be heard more, and we have to show them this by being heard with creativity. If the other party feels that we have honesty, dedication and responsibility, they will trust us and sometimes humor can be effective in the right place.

T&Cs: I find useful to clarify the rules for session cancellation under the terms and conditions when onboarding new clients. VALUES: Working with startup leaders for over 25 years means that ??flexibility?? is one of my coach values, also shared at onboarding. It entails a fair amount of readiness to accommodate the unexpected, and to live up to it. TRANSPARENCY: Of course when the cancellations are recurring, then I question the relationship. Are they getting value out of the sessions? Is the value present but the session timing off beat? Should we pause? A honest dialogue with curiosity and empathy often works before deciding if or how a session should be re scheduled.