Writing Boots

On communication, professional and otherwise.

Good client, bad client: How to know the difference

06.14.2010 by David Murray // Leave a Comment

In my talks to speechwriters and other communicators who support leaders, I tell them there are basically two kinds of clients in any give c-suite: clients who value communication and clients who don't. "You want to work only with clients who do," I tell them, assuring them good clients are out there.

It's an oversimplification of course. So I thought I'd flesh it out a little; maybe you can help. (Pardon my use of the universal "she"; it's payback time.)

A good communication client thinks she got ahead in the world by making persuasive arguments.

A bad client thinks she got ahead by avoiding saying the stupid thing.

A good client doesn't try to be perfect, but has faith that people will get the right impression from an amalgam of a million honest words and a thousand well-intended actions.

A bad client knows that her actions speak loudly, but doesn't know what her actions say. Meanwhile, she worries that one false word in one speech will ruin her reputation forever.

A good client worries about the thrust of the message, lets others handle the details. "Tell me where you want me?"

A bad client deflates the thrust of the message by focusing on a thousand details. "You want me to do what?"

A good client is tough: "You can do better."

A bad client is tough: "It still isn't right."

A good client is experienced enough to know a sharp communicator when he or she sees one.

A bad client assumes all communicators are weak-minded space cadets, and unfortunately manages to gather plenty of evidence for her point of view.

A good client knows communication is hard, and acknowledges it.

A bad client knows communication is hard, and pretends it's easy.

A good client remembers what she wanted to know when she was a middle manager.

A bad client wonders, "If I were an employee, what would I want to hear?"

A good client assumes that her audience knows most of what she knows, and struggles to figure how she can use her unique vantage point to offer them a useful perspective.

A bad client assumes her audience doesn't know half of what she knows, and struggles to figure out what she can say that they will be able to grasp.

A good client wants to share ideas.

A bad client wants to make impressions.

If you have a bad client, look for a good client—either inside the organization or outside. And if you have a good client, serve her well and help her win.

Categories // Uncategorized Tags // bad clients, executive communication, good clients, speechwriters

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Now Available

An Effort to Understand

Order Now

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE BLOG UPDATES

About

David Murray writes on communication issues.
Read More

 

Categories

  • Baby Boots
  • Communication Philosophy
  • Efforts to Understand
  • Happy Men, and Other Eccentrics
  • Human Politicians
  • Mister Boring
  • Murray Cycle Diaries
  • Old Boots
  • Rambling, At Home and Abroad
  • Sports Stories
  • The Quotable Murr
  • Typewriter Truths
  • Uncategorized
  • Weird Scenes Inside the Archives

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

  • Preorder An Effort to Understand
  • Sign Up for Blog Updates
  • About David Murray