One of the most common (and costly) mistakes I see in coaching is this:

We prescribe before we truly understand.

In medicine, prescribing treatment without a diagnosis is malpractice.
In coaching? It’s just as damaging — especially when you’re working with high-end clients.

The worst coaching sin isn’t a lack of frameworks, tools, or motivation strategies.
It’s not going deep enough.

If you haven’t asked why your client has the problem they’re facing, you’re not coaching — you’re guessing.

Here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear:

👉 Motivation solves very few business problems.

When a client is stuck, overwhelmed, or underperforming, the issue is rarely that they “just need more motivation.”
That’s the surface-level symptom — not the root cause.

Prescribing motivation without diagnosis is like handing someone blood pressure medication without ever asking about their diet, stress, sleep, or lifestyle.

It might mask the symptom.
It won’t solve the problem.

Great coaching requires:

• Curiosity before conclusions

• Questions before prescriptions

• Diagnosis before direction

High-level clients don’t need hype.
They need clarity.

So slow down.
Ask better questions.
Go deeper than what’s comfortable — for both of you.

That’s where real transformation happens.