We coaches and those we coach face some new, hard, realities as a result of the economic downturn.

1)  your contract with the company and the agreement with the person you are coaching may have to be revised in light of new (or anticipated) organizational challenges.  Be proactive and be the FIRST to suggest any re-alignments;

2)  if you are engaged to work with a client as part of a layoff (RIF), realignment or outsourcing, be clear with both the company and the client about timelines and expectations.  Beware of confidentiality issues while trying to craft exit strategies that work for everyone;

3)   fear, loss of confidence, hunkering down, are all limiting factors to both the coaching process and to clear thinking.  They are "Phantom Realities" in any economic downturn.  People at all levels in the organization may be scared, Bringing focus back to real issues will help both your client and his/her company in their quests for growth and stability.  As the Rev. Bob Schuller says, "tough times never last, tough people do."