When coaches finish the agreed engagement, SCC recommends conducting an After-Action Review, in which coach and coachee discuss results and future steps the coachee may take to maintain progress. What’s often not discussed is the question: “Where might we go from here?” The failure to raise this question may mean lost opportunity for both coach and coachee.

I once coached a woman whose greatest challenges as a senior director and parent of two young children were the ability to delegate and manage her time. Her goal was “Delegate and manage time effectively.” Her action plan including adhering to checklists on delegation and scheduling/conducting meetings, and avoiding what Marshall Goldsmith calls the “Plus 5%, minus 50%,” where the employee comes up with something that’s fine except the boss can’t resist the urge to add her 5%, thereby draining the employee’s energy and enthusiasm by 50%.

At the end of the engagement, SCC conducted the Mini Survey, which resulted in a score of Net-Two, which represents great progress on her goal as perceived by her stakeholders. In the After-Action Review, rather than declaring victory and disappearing, I said, “You’ve made great progress on your delegation and time management goal. Now that you’ve freed up time and energy and lowered your stress level, is there something else you’d like to work on?”

This question led to a new goal and new action plan. It focused on building and deepening relationships with others. Steps included scheduling relationship check-ins and reach-outs, making it a practice to give recognition to employees and family members for behaviors she appreciates, and feels are worth repeating. Steps also included practicing on a daily basis the EAR method of listening in order to truly understand the needs and wants of family and employees.

Based on this experience, here’s the lesson I have for coaches. When you complete a successful engagement, don’t assume it’s over. Have a conversation like this, “Now that you’ve made great progress on your goal, is there another goal you’d like to pursue? And can I help?” Don’t be surprised if instead of ending the relationship, your coachee says, “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”