Client Relations: The Toddler is Always Right

Mom Life:

• “Do you want to pick out your clothes or do you want me to?”
• “Would you like four or five French toast sticks this morning?”
• “Dinner first or bath first?”
• “Of course I can come wipe your butt.”
• “Can I help you with that?”
• “We’re just trying to do what’s best for you.”
• “Next time, how about we try it like this?”
• “Uh huh, you did it all by yourself.”
• “Yeah, that’s a great idea.”
• “I’m working on it.”
• “Sure, I’ll get to it in a minute.”

Agency Life*: 

• “Do you want to make that call or do you want me to?”
• “Would you like to discuss this first or that first?”
• “How many packets of sugar in your coffee?”
• “Yes, I can try to smooth things over.”
• “Can I help you with that?”
• “We’re just trying to do what’s best for you.”
• “Next time, how about we try it like this?”
• “Uh huh, you did it all by yourself.”
• “Yeah, that’s a great idea.”
• “I’m working on it.”
• “Sure, I’ll get to it in a minute.”

*Some exaggeration for effect

I love my daughter more than anything in the world. But when you have a three-year-old, life is a lot of walking on eggshells.

It’s all about adapting–learning what makes them happiest, what sets them off, how to mitigate sticky situations and which battles to pick.

 

Same goes for clients. Over the years, I’ve had some of the greatest clients, many of whom I’ve become close personal friends with. But trying to do what’s best for all parties can be a challenge.

It’s all about adapting–learning what makes them happiest, what sets them off, how to mitigate sticky situations and which battles to pick.