Strategies for Ending Professional Relationships While Preserving Future Collaborations
In the world of freelancing, positive and fruitful client partnerships are the lifeblood of a successful career. However, not every working relationship is smooth sailing. Some can become toxic, affecting both the freelancer's mental wellbeing and professional growth.
If you find yourself and a client unable to reach a mutual agreement on a project, it may be a sign of a toxic working relationship. Leadership speaker and coach Dom Faussette suggests using the "start-stop continuum" to check in on the pulse of a project in such situations.
Toxic clients can drain your mental energy, creativity, and even potential opportunities. They can make you feel stressed and anxious every time you interact with them. If nothing you do is ever good enough, it may be a sign of a toxic working relationship.
Career expert Mandy Gilbert advises identifying contracts that aren't worth the effort. If a client's project scope and boundaries are being exceeded, and the freelancer feels they are not getting the benefit of what they paid for, it may be a sign of a toxic working relationship.
When ending a business relationship, it's expected to be honest about what went wrong, and together, you should create a roadmap for next steps, especially in terms of deliverables and finances. If a prorated refund is due, it should be considered.
To smooth the brunt of the breakup, recommending another contractor or vendor to the client can be beneficial. Breaking ties with a toxic client can lead to newfound freedom and more time to pursue new leads.
It's vital to maintain your professional composure and protect your reputation when breaking up with a client. A summary email after the break-up conversation is important for a solid paper trail, depending on the length of the working relationship or the nature of the connection.
Identifying a toxic client situation can be stressful for freelancers due to the fear of losing income. However, it's important to remember that a functioning client relationship is crucial because it's the lifeline of a business and can help maintain the flow of work.
In a civil manner, it's important to part ways with as little gridlock as possible, but also provide the client with a resolution of how they can move forward. If a client isn't receptive or nothing changes after using the "start-stop continuum", it's time to rethink the future of the working relationship.
A positive client relationship can bring more clients and referrals in the future. So, it's worth investing time in nurturing healthy relationships and identifying toxic ones to protect your freelance career.
