I was on a call with my business coach this week.
We were talking about a deal that's just fallen apart.
About a year ago, he warned me. Not dramatically. He just said he'd been there himself, and it had never ended well.
I listened, nodded, and explained why this time was different.
It wasn't.
It's unravelled almost exactly the way he said it would.
So on the call this week, I pushed him.
"Go on then. Say it."
He laughed.
"I'm not going to say it."
He told me that when someone warned him about the same thing, he didn't listen either.
Advice helps.
Guidance helps.
But lived experience is what sticks.
You have to go through it before it really lands.
I've been on the other side of that conversation more times than I can count.
Clients who leave because someone's told them there's a better option.
A better advisor.
A better structure.
A better way of doing things.
In those moments, you can often see exactly how it's going to play out.
But they can't. Because they haven't been there yet.
So they go.
And quite often, they come back.
My dad drummed something into me a long time ago.
Part ways well. Never burn a bridge unless you have no other choice.
It's served me well.
Because the people who come back don't need you to make a point. They already know.
What they need is to not feel stupid walking back through the door.
No judgement.
No point scoring.
Just clarity.
More to come,
Luke