Your client crosses boundaries with your personal time. How can you assert yourself effectively?

Ao lidar com clientes que abusam do tempo, é essencial avaliar se o comportamento é pontual, resultado de uma necessidade específica ou se reflete um padr?o recorrente, possivelmente causado por alguma ineficiência de nossa parte. Se for um caso pontual, devemos atender prontamente para manter o relacionamento. No entanto, se for uma situa??o abusiva, é necessário estabelecer regras claras de convivência e comunica??o, acordadas previamente com o cliente, para proteger o equilíbrio entre as demandas profissionais e a capacidade de entrega, garantindo limites saudáveis e produtivos para ambas as partes.

When a client crosses boundaries with your personal time, it’s important to assert yourself respectfully and professionally. Set clear limits by communicating your availability upfront, and reinforce this when necessary. If they contact you outside agreed hours, respond politely during working hours and say something like: "I’m happy to help, but I want to ensure we both respect boundaries. I’m available during [your working hours] and will handle any requests within that time." This reinforces your boundaries while maintaining a positive relationship.

Balancing client expectations with personal time is essential. The key is to set clear boundaries and communicate your working hours early on. Be proactive in scheduling to avoid overlaps, and when conflicts arise, address them with empathy but stay firm. Consistency in maintaining these boundaries is crucial to avoid setting a precedent. During my internship at RR Kabel, I faced similar challenges with scheduling, where client interactions often spilled into personal time, but by staying persistent and managing expectations, I maintained a healthy balance without compromising work quality.