You’re working with a difficult client. How can you make the relationship more productive?

I disagree that there are difficult or easy clients. From my experience, I have found out that these actions never fail in establishing a great relationship with your client: - Listen to them: understand their concerns and needs by actively listening to what they have to say - Show empathy: Understand their frustrations and challenges and acknowledge their feelings. - Communicate with the client: Set realistic expectations and clearly explain your processes and decisions to avoid misunderstandings. Keep him informed about the project's progress or any issues that may arise. - Offer Solutions, Not Just Problems: When presenting issues or challenges, always try to offer potential solutions or alternatives.

In my experience, defining the scope of work, deliverables, timelines, and communication protocols at the outset can prevent misunderstandings and set the tone for a collaborative partnership. One thing I've found helpful is to document these expectations and have both parties agree to them, creating a reference point for future discussions. It's also important to schedule regular check-ins to review progress, address concerns, and adjust expectations as needed. A mistake to avoid is assuming that verbal agreements are sufficient or that expectations set at the beginning of the project will remain static. Without written agreements and the flexibility to revisit and adjust expectations, misalignments can escalate into conflicts.

Working with a difficult client can be a challenge, but there are several strategies you can adopt to manage the situation effectively. First and foremost I try to clearly communicate what can and cannot be done for the client and set realistic expectations from the start. I try to provide details on the times, costs and expected results of the project. I also try to establish clear and assertive boundaries to protect myself and my team from unprofessional or abusive client behavior. I try to be respectful but firm in enforcing these boundaries. Finally, I keep track of all communications and decisions made with the client. Keeping detailed documentation can be helpful in case disputes or misunderstandings arise in the future.

Difficult clients have always been and always be around. Difficult is a very broad term. If the client is difficult that they don't approve any of your suggestions, then you need to conquer the client. Emphasize, understand, negate objections, find common grounds, establish a tighter connection. If the client is being difficult because they don't understand anything you say, start educating, be the mentor first. After that, build up on the information you have supplied. If the client is being difficult by being a know-it-all, then you should hear them out. Listen to their ideas and put your added value on their thoughts. If you totally disagree with something, agree with the point of view and then divert into your own solution.