5 signs that you are dealing with a toxic client

I was having a chat with our team today about the business and where we have come to and grown from.

I had been reflecting on the past `12 months and some absolutely brilliant clients we deal with that value the work we do, partner with us, are honest and open with us and really truly understand the value that quality talent engagement and retention processes add to the bottom line.

We then spoke at length about our values and how important it is to find and partner with clients who align with those.

Our ethics, integrity and people first approach to the recruitment process are what we are all most passionate about and it's important as a business for you to understand what drives you. Once you know that you can really understand your ideal client and who you want to represent in the market.

We also spoke about the signs of a toxic client and really being honest with yourself as a business around what you will and won't tolerate both for your team and for the candidates you represent in the market.

When you have a toxic client you will find they take up the bulk of your time.

You may be billing well with them but overall their behaviour and approach to you in the process leaves you feeling drained and affects overall moral.

Worse still, they can keep changing the goal posts without the communication piece and you are left scratching your head as to why it is so difficult to get a result.

Here's five things that will show up when you are dealing with a toxic client

1. They don't value the work you do.

This is so simple and easy to see in your interactions and meetings with them. Are they distracted and on their phone in your meetings? Are they rude and abrupt in their emails and calls? Dealing with geniunely nice people goes along way in the workplace so don't underestimate etiquette and gratitude with your clients.

2. They withhold or mislead you with information.

Trust is paramount in any partnership. When you value integrity as a business and you find your client is engaged in unethical behaviour or does something to compromise the confidence you have bestowed upon them than that is a huge red flag.

3. They want a master and servant relationship

This is a way you don't want to expect your team members to operate because you hired them due to their skills and knowledge right? In this relationship you are dictated the way to operate and if it is not yes sir, no sir and three bags full sir then you are met with resistance. A mutually beneficial relationship is respectful for both parties. They understand the expertise you provide and have come to you with that in mind and you meet as equals in the partnership.

4. They have poor communication internally and externally

Ever heard the saying the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing? This is something that can show up when you are partnering with a client that doesn't have strong internal communications. Getting misleading information and misaligned goals across the same team can make it near impossible to get a result everyone is happy with if they aren't on the same page.

5. They don't look after their staff.

If there are multiple resignations in a team and no one is digging deep to understand why then this is something that you need to be really cautious of.

Everyone makes mistakes- even organisations and sometimes they can lose track of the very foundation of their business which is their people.

If they know there are issues and want to work with you to improve the culture then this is something you can work with.

However, if they are looking to bury their head in the sand and watch people walk out the door then you really need to consider if this is a business you want to represent in your industry.

When you partner with clients that have a great culture and appreciate the work you do it can have a huge impact not just on your bottom line but also on your own staff morale and loyalty.

When your team knows that you have their back and value their mental well being in the workplace then you can all work together to really grow and partner with the right clients.

Afterall, when a client wants to partner you for a result and then you show them the outcome then that is where you are giving your team the opportunity to truly shine.

Don't we all deserve that in a workplace?