Jack Dawkins, famously known as the Artful Dodger, is one of the most memorable characters in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. A young, street-smart pickpocket, the Dodger is a charismatic and quick-witted boy, displaying a sharp tongue and a confident swagger. While a product of his harsh environment, his lively personality and cleverness make him an endearing figure who justifies his actions by exploiting his life circumstances.

Coaching clients can sometimes resemble The Dodger, cleverly maneuvering to avoid accountability. Just as the Dodger evades capture with quick thinking, clients may skillfully deflect responsibility using “their story”—a repetitive narrative that justifies why they can’t follow through on their goals. This narrative often contains misaligned patterns that strengthen limiting beliefs and prevent progress. If the coach hasn’t sharpened their listening skills for “artful dodging,” they may unknowingly buy into the story, becoming complicit in keeping the client stuck.

Artful dodgers usually don’t do this intentionally—they may genuinely believe their justifications. The human mind is skilled at rationalizing, and clients might convince themselves that “their story” is the real reason they haven’t taken action or aren’t reaching their goals. Even when they express strong commitment in a coaching session, cognitive biases, fear, or unconscious resistance can cloud their awareness of the simple truth: they are not doing what they said they would do to attain their goals. As coaches, our role is not to enable the “artful dodging” but to listen for these patterns, use evocative questions, and explore the client’s underlying beliefs.

Identifying Artful Dodging

Recognizing artful dodging requires keen listening and awareness of patterns that keep clients stuck. A key indicator is a fixed way of being, such as consistently framing themselves as a victim, deflecting responsibility, or withdrawing when accountability is introduced. This is often paired with a persistent complaint, like “People don’t get me” or “I never get the opportunities I deserve,” which justifies inaction. Clients engaging in artful dodging frequently shift blame to external factors, rationalize missed commitments, or minimize the importance of their goals. They may also create their own obstacles by taking on too much and using overwhelm as an excuse, or “selectively forget” agreed-upon actions. These behaviors create an illusion of progress while reinforcing limiting beliefs.

Another sign of artful dodging is how clients respond when their patterns are challenged. Some may change the subject, focus on unrelated small wins, or ponder endless theoretical questions instead of taking action. Others seek validation rather than genuine progress, using charm or persuasive rhetoric to keep the coach aligned with their narrative. If a client consistently repeats explanations for inaction without meaningful change, an unconscious avoidance pattern is at play. Coaches must recognize these behaviors, name them compassionately, and use reflective questioning to help clients take authentic ownership of their growth.

A Tale of Two Sessions

Session 1: Nathan

Nathan sat across from his coach, sharing why he hadn’t followed through on his commitments. His story sounded plausible, but the coach sensed a deeper pattern.

“Look, I really wanted to launch my website, but my designer bailed on me last minute. And honestly, with my workload, I had no choice but to put it off. It’s just bad timing, you know?” His words were polished, his reasoning airtight.

The coach nodded, recognizing the pattern. Like the Artful Dodger, Nathan skillfully deflected accountability, using logic and circumstance to justify inaction. The coach met his gaze and asked, “And what would happen if we looked beyond ‘bad timing’ and explored what else might be at play?”

For the first time, Nathan hesitated. The coach had called out the dodging—not with challenge, but with curiosity. The real work had begun.

Session 2: Lena

Lena’s coach asked, “What kept you from following through on your commitments this week?”

Lena sighed. “I kept putting it off because I was scared. Reaching out to new clients makes me feel exposed, and I told myself I’d do it later, but later never came. I see now that I let fear take the wheel.” She exhaled, shoulders dropping. “I don’t want to keep repeating this.”

The coach nodded. “What’s one small step you can take, even with that fear?”

Lena thought. “I can make just one call tomorrow. Not a pitch—just a conversation.”

The coach smiled. “Lena, you are a creative thinker. You’ve found a way to move forward authentically.”

These two sessions clearly show the difference between a client who is an artful dodger and a client who fully owns their inaction and is open to working with the coach to get to the source of it and find a way forward.

Strategies to Address Artful Dodging

Blaming External Circumstances
Redirect focus inward.

“What is within your control in this situation?”
“What’s it going to take for you to no longer give your power to circumstances and go for what you want?”

Procrastination
Break tasks into smaller steps and set short deadlines.

“What’s the first small thing you can do today?”

Downplaying Goals
Revisit their original motivation.

“Why was this goal important to you initially?”
“What impact would achieving this have on your life?”

Overwhelming
Themselves Guide prioritization.

“What are the top 1-2 things you can focus on right now?”
“What can you delegate or delay?”

Selective Forgetting
Use shared action plans, task reminders, or follow-ups.

“What system could we use to make sure this stays on your radar?”

Changing the Subject
Redirect the conversation tactfully.

“Before we move on, let’s revisit the actions we discussed last time. How did they go?”

Playing the Victim
Empower them.

“What would taking ownership of this look like?”
“If you had full control, what would you do next?”

Seeking Validation Instead of Progress
Acknowledge small wins but focus on the bigger picture.

“That’s a great step forward. How does this move you closer to your goal? What’s next?”

By recognizing artful dodging and using these strategies, coaches can help clients take full ownership of their journey, dismantle limiting beliefs, and move toward authentic transformation.

by Amy Ruppert Donovan, MCC