The Week-4 “Is This Working?” Conversation
Ask for the real temperature before resentment hardens. A midpoint, not a performance review.
Week 4 is when they decide if this was a good idea. If you wait for the renewal, you’re asking after the verdict. Use the notes they can see. If they went quiet at week 3, this conversation is late — still have it.
The Three Questions
“What’s working that we should keep?” “What’s not earning the hour?” “If we stopped next week, what would you miss — and what would you be relieved to drop?”
Then shut up. A testimonial request is a different day.
How to Hold It
Ten minutes, start of the session, scores on the table. Write their words. If they name a miss, that’s the new contract, not a defense.
Where Coaches Break
- Selling the program back to them. They asked for temperature, not a pitch.
- Skipping the clients who seem happy. Happy is where resentment hides.
The 3-Minute Action
Put “week-4 temperature” on every engagement that hits day 28 this month. Ask the three questions. Write the answers in the shared note.