Have you ever had a client miss a call, turn up late, or quietly fall behind on a payment? You nod along because you don't want to make a fuss, but over time, it starts to wear you down. You end up chasing diary changes, wondering if they're truly committed, and holding more of the relationship than you should be.

Here's what I want you to hear: That is not a delivery problem. That is an agreement problem.

When clients drift, it's almost never because they don't care. It's because the expectations were never set properly at the beginning. Most advisors jump straight into giving advice to prove their worth. But I do the opposite. I slow everything right down, because the first session isn't about advice; it's about creating a strong container so the advice can actually land.

In this episode, I’m giving you the exact script I use in my first session with a new client to set clear, powerful agreements. We're not just talking about stopping missed payments; we’re covering the three core pillars of a strong advisory relationship: Power, Time, and Money. This is how you stop chasing and start leading, creating a relationship built on mutual respect from day one.

Key Takeaways

1. Are late payments and missed calls actually a client problem, or are they a symptom of a critical mistake you're making in your very first session?

2. Why the most valuable thing you can do in your first paid session with a new client has nothing to do with giving advice, and everything to do with slowing down.

3. Discover the three simple but non-negotiable agreements—Power, Time, and Money—that will eliminate awkward conversations and create a container of mutual respect from day one.

4. What is the simple five-word question you must ask after setting each expectation that shifts the dynamic from you dictating rules to both of you co-creating a powerful partnership?

5. How to have the money conversation once and only once, so payments happen in the background like a utility bill and you never have to chase an invoice again.

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