Sometimes a handshake isn't enough.

I’m not a hugger by nature.

But when leadership proves once again to be a lonely place, even when surrounded by well-intentioned people, it’s not only the leader who must operate outside his comfort zone, but also the coach.

It means when a client is absolutely raw, sharing his deepest vulnerabilities, and coming to terms with some harsh realities, sometimes what’s needed most is knowing someone’s in your corner.

So beyond providing the safe space to gain perspective, feedback, and a pathway forward, our session also closed with a physical embrace - a hug.

Is that common in my coaching practice? No.

But when a leader, or anyone in your world needs more than words to know he’ll get through, simply a handshake won’t do.