Who Says “I Love You” on a Work Call? Apparently, Me.

I’ve wrapped up a lot of coaching calls in the last twenty years—but last week might go down as one of my most memorable.

We were winding down a great session. The conversation had been honest, deep, and encouraging. And just as I glanced at the blinking light of my next call ringing in… the words slipped right out of my mouth before I could stop them:

“Have a good week, and I love you.”

Yep. I said it.
To a client.
A professional client.

There was a pause. Then an eruption of laughter—from both of us.

“Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I just said that!” I half-yelled into the phone, instantly mortified. And as I was trying to recover some ounce of composure, I heard her shout back through the laughter:
“I love you too, Gail!”

I couldn’t help but laugh even harder.

Because here’s the truth: I do say that at the end of every call with my family. It’s second nature. And in that moment—without thinking—that same warmth rolled off my tongue.

And you know what?
She got it.
She laughed with me.
She understood.

It reminded me of something I’ve come to believe over time: when we’re fully comfortable in who we are and how we show up, the line between “professional” and “personal” starts to blur a little, and that’s not a bad thing.

Whether we’re coaching, catching up, sitting around the kitchen table, or simply showing up for someone, our heart finds its way into the conversation. Even when we’re not trying.

That’s what happens when we care deeply about what we do and who we’re with.

That kind of comfort doesn’t come overnight. It grows over years of doing the work, showing up honestly, and creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported.

But maybe that’s the gift of doing work that fits you.
You stop performing and start showing up fully.
The walls come down.
The words get real.
And over time, without even trying, your truest self becomes part of the process.

So this week, here’s to the slip-ups that remind us we’re human.
Here’s to saying “I love you” a little more freely.
And here’s to the friends—and clients—who laugh with us and love us for who we are.