What do you do if your client is resistant to a client-centered problem-solving approach?

1 Understand Why

Resistance often stems from a lack of understanding or fear of the unknown. Your first step should be to identify why your client is hesitant. Engage in open dialogue, listening carefully to their concerns. It's possible they're not familiar with a client-centered approach or worry about the additional time and resources it might require. By pinpointing the root of their resistance, you can tailor your response to address their specific apprehensions, making it easier to guide them towards a more collaborative problem-solving method.

4 Offer Assurance

Clients might fear that a client-centered approach will leave them with more work or responsibility than they're comfortable with. It's crucial to offer assurance that your role as a consultant is to facilitate and guide the process, not to offload tasks onto them. Explain that their input is invaluable for crafting a solution that truly works for them, but that you will be there to shoulder the heavy lifting when it comes to implementation and follow-through.

5 Adapt Flexibly

If resistance persists, be prepared to adapt your approach. This doesn't mean abandoning the client-centered method but rather modifying it to better fit the client's comfort level. Perhaps start with a small pilot project or involve them in just one stage of the process initially. As they see the benefits and become more comfortable, they may be more open to fully embracing the approach.

6 Maintain Patience

Patience is key when dealing with resistance. Change can be daunting, and it's important to give your client time to adjust to new ideas. Continue to support them, reaffirming the value of their participation, and be ready to provide additional information or reassurance as needed. With time and persistence, many clients come around to see the advantages of a client-centered problem-solving approach.