#377: When a Referral Goes Sideways (and How to Recover)

What do you do when a dream referral turns into a nightmare-in-the-making?

One of my coaching clients recently found herself in a tricky spot. Her best referral partner had sent her what initially seemed like a solid lead. But after a few back-and-forths, things started to feel… off.

The red flags were waving, and she could sense this prospect would likely become a difficult client. She wanted out. But she didn’t want to burn bridges with either the potential client or the trusted source who referred them.

In this week’s short episode, I share the guidance I gave her — a simple, thoughtful way to bow out gracefully while preserving both relationships. It’s a nuanced dance, but once you know the framework, you’ll be ready to handle these moments with professionalism and clarity.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• A simple strategy to walk away from a referral without damaging key relationships
• Why these situations are more common than most freelancers think
• The importance of protecting your boundaries, even when referrals are involved
• Sample language and scripts you can adapt to your own client communications

Key Takeaway:

Saying “no” doesn’t have to feel like burning a bridge. With the right framing, you can protect your time and energy and preserve the relationships that matter most.

Listener Challenge:

If you're currently navigating a tricky referral or client dynamic, take a few moments to draft your “graceful opt-out” message. Use this episode as your guide. And remember, professionalism and honesty go a long way.