Little Shift #5: REWRITING THE ENDING
Most leadership initiatives don’t fail because the work wasn’t strong.
They fade because the work ends quietly.
A workshop wraps.
A coaching engagement concludes.
A program delivers exactly what was promised.
And then the moment passes.
This month’s Little Shift is about paying attention to one of the most overlooked parts of client work: the end — and using it intentionally to keep momentum alive.
The CONVERSATION THAT Matters Most
When an engagement ends, it’s tempting to close with something polite and open-ended:
“Let me know if you need anything.”
It’s generous.
It’s well-intended.
And it unintentionally puts the future of the work on pause.
Clients leave with insight, ideas, and good intentions — but no clear next step. As priorities shift, even the best work can lose traction.
Not because it wasn’t valuable — but because change needs continuity. And that’s why rewriting the ending matters most.
REWRITE the Ending. Change the Outcome.
Rewriting the ending means treating the end of an engagement not as a conclusion, but as a transition.
Instead of leaving things open, close with direction.
Try asking:
What would you want to check back on in 60–90 days?
This creates a natural moment for reflection and accountability.What support would help this stick?
This reframes your work around application, not just delivery.What’s the next leadership challenge on the horizon?
This invites the client to zoom out — without pressure or pitching.
These questions don’t sell more work.
They protect the work you’ve already done.
Why This Shift Works
Leadership development, culture change, and behavior shift don’t happen all at once.
They unfold over time.
When you help clients think ahead:
Learning gets reinforced
Progress becomes visible
Momentum feels intentional, not accidental
You’re no longer just delivering a solution — you’re helping clients navigate the journey.
That’s what turns an engagement into a partnership.
Charting a Path Forward
Distinct follow-up plans create momentum because they:
Normalize iteration and learning
Reduce decision fatigue for the client
Make re-engagement feel natural — not transactional
Sometimes the next step is a brief check-in. Sometimes it’s a deeper build. Sometimes it’s long-term planning.
The specific “next” matters less than naming that there is one.
Great work solves today’s problem. Great partners help ensure the work keeps working.
3 Ways to Rewrite the ending
End every engagement with a future question
Ask what success would look like 60–90 days from now.
Name follow-up as part of the work
Normalize reflection, reinforcement, and recalibration.
Create a clear re-entry point
Don’t wait for clients to reach out — agree on when and how you’ll reconnect.
Use the Rewrite the Ending Question Guide for post-engagement check-ins (30 / 60 / 90 days) to sustain momentum, reinforce learning, and intentionally chart what comes next.
Download here: LS5 Rewrite the Ending Question Guide
