Let’s be clear: some clients are like sandpaper. They rub you the wrong way, chafe at your patience, and leave you feeling raw and irritated. They question everything, challenge every decision, and generally make your life a living hell. Your first instinct? To fire them, run, and never look back.
But what if I told you that those difficult clients could actually be your biggest opportunity? What if you could transform those challenging relationships into raving fans who sing your praises to the world?
It’s not easy, but it’s possible. Turning a difficult client into your biggest advocate requires a combination of patience, empathy, communication skills, and a willingness to see things from their perspective. It’s about transforming a relationship, not just managing a project.
Why are some clients so damn difficult in the first place? Let’s break down the usual suspects:
- Communication Breakdown: The client is a poor communicator, which results in misunderstanding and delays. They might also have difficulty explaining.
- Unclear Expectations: Clients expect their visions and to happen, but it may not be clear what that might be, and not be aware.
- Lack of Control: Clients are desperate, and are taking everything to do so, which may lead to over control and making your time a hell.
- Lack of Faith: They do not trust that your efforts will yield the vision they want. This results in what you do to not be as valuable, and makes it very tough to work with and be innovative.
There needs to be a system, and plan, for the best to be implemented. So in the end to do it perfectly.
Before diving into those strategies, let’s hear three stories!
Here are tips to help you:
- Set the tone
- What did it actually do?
- Communicate, and communicate again.
This may also help a business and all that is required to make it good.
Story 1: A freelancer named Akash
Akash was tasked to build a website for a store, but was tough, and in the end he wanted a client who was more understanding and trusting of his skillset. So here is how he was able to do it.
He got into a meeting, and asked about the life and business of the client. He soon learned that he was trying to help his family, and what the dreams were. What he was able to do was build a bond, and tell the client that he had his best interest at heart.
Akash got the trust, and in the end delivered the best store he had ever created.
Story 2: Designer sanjana
She was tasked to make a video that was simple to understand and cost effective. What she did was offer a range of strategies that were most effective. She took this to heart, and was able to help deliver his best possible image and video and campaign.
He gave them the freedom, and the result was magical, a client who now is a dear friend, and helped scale their business together.
The last story, of Priya an accountant
Priya helped a new business sort out all that he needed to do to maintain and do all accounting needs, so that if he does everything as stated, he will succeed. However things did not go as well, and started to have troubles, making her come in at the last minute.
This made her very angry, but she was not too quick to act. She knew that there were problems with his leadership skills so she took the initiative to guide him.
In the end the client was a different person, and now makes sure everything was on time.
These actions were hard for everyone, and tested many.
Here’s how to turn your difficult client into your biggest advocate:
- Acknowledge Their Concerns: The first step is to acknowledge their concerns and validate their feelings. Let them know that you understand their perspective and that you’re taking their feedback seriously. Don’t dismiss their concerns or try to argue with them. Listen actively, empathize with their frustrations, and show that you care.
- Communicate Clearly and Frequently: Communication is key to any successful relationship, especially when dealing with difficult clients. Provide regular updates on the project’s progress, solicit their feedback at key milestones, and be transparent about any challenges or setbacks. Don’t wait for them to ask for information; proactively keep them informed.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Make sure your client has a clear understanding of what you can and cannot deliver. Don’t overpromise or make unrealistic guarantees. Be honest about the limitations of your skills, your resources, and the project’s timeline.
- Be Proactive in Problem Solving: Don’t wait for problems to arise; anticipate them and address them proactively. If you see a potential issue on the horizon, bring it to the client’s attention and work together to find a solution.
- Offer Solutions, Not Just Problems: When you do encounter a problem, don’t just complain about it; offer solutions. Come prepared with ideas for how to overcome the challenge, and involve the client in the decision-making process.
- Be Flexible and Adaptable: Be willing to adjust your approach to accommodate the client’s needs and preferences. Be flexible, but never compromise your boundaries.
- Exceed Expectations: Go the extra mile to deliver results that exceed the client’s expectations. This will not only impress them but also demonstrate your commitment to their success.
- Show Genuine Care: Difficult clients often feel like they’re not being heard or valued. Show them that you genuinely care about their project, their business, and their success. Take the time to get to know them, understand their goals, and build a personal connection.
- Ask for Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from the client. Ask them what you’re doing well, what you could be doing better, and what you can do to make their experience more positive.
- Be Patient and Persistent: Turning a difficult client into an advocate takes time, effort, and persistence. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Keep communicating, keep problem-solving, and keep showing that you care.
- The Secret is to be in their head What did they actually want at the end of the day? Were you able to give it to them? Did you understand where they were at and what there vision is. The connection is very important and needs to be a very critical factor.
It also takes:
- Understanding
- Communication
- Action
It will be difficult and may test all that you are, so take that to heart,
“As a leader, it’s important to not just see your own success, but focus on the success of others.” — Sundar Pichai
So go out there, create success, and be the best.
What you need to be better:
To learn there needs to be communication and understanding. A lot of the things said by the clients are because they are not communicating and don’t know how to express all of the feelings, so you might as well help them do what needs to be done.
To find a better understanding to make what is supposed to be a horrible circumstance be the better part so keep looking forward to get what needs to be achieved.
Now: To create success there needs to be action, here are actionables that need to be added on:
1- Be very clear
2- Be very transparent
3- Be clear on what needs to be done, it requires work.
All of the tasks and plans require work.
Just remember all that needs to happen now.
The goal is for you to succeed so the action of being together and connecting is to have this all be the goal. As such there are many great things we must all remember and do well and follow and plan. This will lead to all the success you would need, so have fun. There is power and amazing that comes from it.
You are the one percent now. If you can take what the clients may want and use it for the greatest version of yourself, then you can create the best version of your life and career. The best thing to be you is to be the best to do great, and the world. So have fun!
As I am about to leave you I can provide two stories of inspiration so that if you ever need to get up, these come to mind:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” – Viktor Frankl
“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.” – Chinese Proverb
May these stories inspire you to be the best of the best and do all you can, so get it. By understanding that now you can take on the world, all will be easy and go well. These quotes and articles have all come to provide you with great insight so you may grow, do not waste it.
With everything that has happened here we can look forward and see how amazing, and talented, we are all now going to become.
Good luck. Take it.
