For those of you who immediately recalled the Neil Sedaka song when you read the title of this post, I am truly sorry. It’s just the best way to frame a conversation about firing clients.
Such a heavy word, firing. I prefer to think of it as moving on, acting in everyone’s best interests, similar to ending a personal relationship. Who hasn’t heard “It’s not you, it’s me” at some point? Personally or professionally, it seems, the sentiment is applicable.
However you choose to phrase it, moving away from a client relationship is scary, gut-wrenching work. Who in her right mind would risk walking away from steady (although not lucrative), known (although not challenging), comfortable (although not inspiring) work — particularly in times like these?
If a particular client’s face pops into your head as you read this, here are some of the questions to ask yourself:
- Is the client best served by your working at a level below your capabilities?
- Are you willing to continue working at a level that does not challenge you?
- How is your decreasing passion for the work affecting your client’s interests?
- How is your client’s behavior affecting you and your team?
- Are you willing to wait it out in the hope that things will magically improve?
- Would a conversation with your client change anything?
- What opportunities are you missing by pouring energy into this client?
Putting yourself through a questioning exercise like this one is useful, whether you are determined to leave your client or are trying to find reasons to stay. Asking hard questions brings clarity to your thought process, removing some of the more emotional (and less useful) noise in your head. Finally, it helps move you closer to answering an important question:
What makes you happy?
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