Before you deal
blame, ask yourself – do you give them reason to respect you?
Do you follow a
defined workflow that demonstrates confidence in your proven process? Do you
clearly share it with your clients in a way that communicates respect for their
needs and establishes mutual expectations from the get go?
Or, do you just
begin making motions haphazardly, expecting others to understand your process
and recognize its complexity? Do you merely hope or assume they will share the
same expectations?
Those broken business
practices and the things you’ve grown tired of – the endless back-and-forth,
the lack of perceived authority in your own area of expertise, the inefficient
way of working, and the battle to communicate value and worth – those things
are all avoidable and within your control.
From the onset:
- Communicate your process.
- Chart a timeline.
- Define deliverables.
- Clarify responsibilities.
- Develop an efficient workflow.
In doing so, you
will demonstrate professionalism, credibility and effectiveness. Within your
client relationships, you will command greater value and respect.
