Handling Difficult Clients
I’ve always heard people talk about dealing with difficult clients, and I’ve heard almost unbelievable experiences. For instance, clients ghosting during payment.
I never knew how serious the issue was until I experienced it, and it was not funny at all. The thing is that difficult clients exist, and sadly, they hire us.
So the question is not whether your clients would be easy-going, the question is how you can handle your clients if they are or if they become difficult clients.
Here’s a little experience I had. Very recently, my client messaged me at 7:00 p.m. asking me to handle a task, and I was so surprised because he said it was urgent.
JSYK, this was no small task. I told him that I wasn’t at home and that I’d gone to the clinic to check on someone. I couldn’t do the task with my phone.
I told him, and he said I should get it done, plus he’s waiting for it. I couldn’t believe my ears. Well, as respectfully as possible, I alrighted it.
It was a very uncomfortable position because I had classes that evening, and I didn’t know how to go about it. So I just did what I could until I got home.
Throughout the period, he continued sending texts, and while I was having classes, it was so distracting. Well, I did a little and sent it across.
Thank God for my intern who came through for me. Funnily, I finished the urgent task the next day, and it wasn’t actually urgent as he kept pressuring me.
People have expressed lots of complaints about difficult clients. So I’ll share a couple of things you can do when you have a difficult client.
Document everything
Some clients can be very dramatic and deny that an event that actually happened, did not happen, and you’ll start questioning your sanity. You shouldn’t!
Every single document, conversation, and instruction should be documented for referencing when necessary. There was a time my client asked me to do something.
I told him, let’s do it in a different way so that we don’t have to repeat it, and he insisted. Guess what, he asked me to repeat that task, and it pained me.
So every single thing must be documented. I know it sounds like a lot, and it might actually be, but it saves you a lot of back and forth, and that’s worse.
Be clear on your boundaries
Difficult clients are notorious for one thing…breaking boundaries. You must be very clear on your boundaries, especially with regard to communication, time, and deliverables.
When you refuse to define your boundaries, then anything goes.
Never make promises you can’t keep.
The moment you overpromise to keep a difficult client happy, you’ve handed them a weapon. And they will use it. Under-promise, over-deliver. Every single time.
Manage your emotions, not just the situation
Some clients will genuinely get under your skin. They’ll be rude, dismissive, ungrateful, and sometimes all three at once. And in that moment, everything in you wants to match their energy.
Don’t.
The moment you let your emotions drive your response, you’ve lost the high ground. And trust me, you’ll need it. Take a deep breath, step back, and respond later just to keep things professional.
Your response in a heated moment can define your reputation permanently. So before you type that reply, pause. Sleep on it if you have to. Then respond like the professional you are.
Know when to walk away
Not every client is worth keeping. If a client is consistently disrespectful, refuses to honour agreements, drains your energy, and is stunting your growth, that is not a client. That is a liability.
There is a way to offboard a client gracefully and with your dignity intact. Wrap up deliverables, communicate clearly, and close the door professionally. The right clients are out there. Don’t stay so occupied managing the wrong ones that you miss them.
What do you want to read next 👇🏾
This Week’s Bible Passage
1John 3:1 NIV
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
On Life, Healing and Growing
A weekly account of my life as a Wasseminarian.
HAPPY NEW MONTH TO YOUUUU!!!
What’s been happening since last week? I finished the crazy work that has been on my neck, and so I rested on Friday and Saturday.
I started listening to sermons on Sunday, and I journaled again after 18th March, which was my last entry.
I realised that not journaling was a strategic attack from the devil to prevent me from seeing what I was doing wrong in my relationship with God. But I’m on track now.
I’ve been missing lawn tennis training, and that’s terrible. So I want to make very conscious efforts this week to be consistent. I need to be fit!
My mentees are complaining about my assignments. That’s their business. They think email marketing is a joke. They should not let me change my mind and increase it.
Until next week. With love and intention ❤️
"Under promise, over-deliver." That hit.
Love the mentoring energy 🤌