10 answers
Updated
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What skills do you use most often when working with clients What skills do you wish you had developed earlier?
What skills do you use most often when working with clients? What skills do you wish you had developed earlier?
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10 answers
Updated
Gus’s Answer
One of the underrated skills of doing client-based work is flexibility. At the outset of any client-related project there are goals that are set by the client. As you work with the client, these goals may evolve / change based on the needs of the client. This can be challenging to deal with if you are in a rigid workplan, so being flexible and listening to the needs of the client will serve you well in delivering a relevant product or service. Good luck!
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Caoimhe’s Answer
Hi, you've received some great advice, but I highly recommend focusing on "listening with intent." It's easy to talk with a customer and overlook key clues about their concerns or intentions. If you're having a virtual conversation, always turn on your camera. Facial expressions can be very helpful!
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Chetna’s Answer
When working with clients, always show empathy and be honest, even if you think they might get upset. Stay in regular contact and build a friendly relationship. Keep your promises unless something happens that you can't control.
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Di’s Answer
Listening skills and understanding what clients are looking for. Not just giving them solutions that they don't need and building a personal relationship.
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ADP’s Answer
The skills I use most when working with clients are communication, problem solving, and active listening. A big part of my job is understanding what a client truly needs, even when they may not know how to explain it clearly at first. Building trust and staying organized are also important because clients want to feel confident that you’re guiding them in the right direction.
One skill I wish I had developed earlier is confidence in difficult conversations. Early on, I avoided tough discussions, but I’ve learned that being honest, clear, and solution focused creates stronger relationships and better outcomes in the long run.
One skill I wish I had developed earlier is confidence in difficult conversations. Early on, I avoided tough discussions, but I’ve learned that being honest, clear, and solution focused creates stronger relationships and better outcomes in the long run.
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Morgan’s Answer
When working with clients, the skills I use most often are communication, active listening, problem-solving, and building strong relationships, since understanding their needs and providing solutions is key. Looking back, I wish I had developed time management and organization skills earlier, because they make it easier to handle multiple clients, meet deadlines, and stay professional under pressure. Developing these skills early can make working with clients smoother and more effective.
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K’s Answer
This is such a great question!
Here are three key skills that I use regularly when working with clients that I wish I had developed earlier.
1) Trust building – Reliability & Integrity
Trust building comes from showing reliability and integrity through simple, everyday behaviours:
• Being transparent when you are unsure or have questions,
• Flagging issues as soon as you spot them, and
• Delivering high quality work by completing documentation carefully and double checking before submission.
Clients depend on people who are open, accurate and predictable. Being transparent, proactive with issues, and consistently producing careful work shows clients they can rely on you – which is the foundation of any strong client relationship.
2) Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is your ability to understand yourself and others so you can communicate clearly, stay professional under pressure, and work well with people.
Clients notice how interactions feel. EI helps you read their cues, respond calmly to pressure, and adjust your communication so clients feel understood, respected and supported – which is crucial when delivering difficult messages or managing expectations.
3) Storytelling in a Business Context
A structured, truthful narrative that uses clarity, simplicity and emotional resonance to make your clients feel something and then do something.
Clients are busy and overwhelmed with information. Clear storytelling helps you cut through noise, make complex ideas understandable, build trust through truth and clarity, and inspire clients to take action (whether that is aligning on a recommendation or approving a next step).
Here are three key skills that I use regularly when working with clients that I wish I had developed earlier.
1) Trust building – Reliability & Integrity
Trust building comes from showing reliability and integrity through simple, everyday behaviours:
• Being transparent when you are unsure or have questions,
• Flagging issues as soon as you spot them, and
• Delivering high quality work by completing documentation carefully and double checking before submission.
Clients depend on people who are open, accurate and predictable. Being transparent, proactive with issues, and consistently producing careful work shows clients they can rely on you – which is the foundation of any strong client relationship.
2) Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is your ability to understand yourself and others so you can communicate clearly, stay professional under pressure, and work well with people.
Clients notice how interactions feel. EI helps you read their cues, respond calmly to pressure, and adjust your communication so clients feel understood, respected and supported – which is crucial when delivering difficult messages or managing expectations.
3) Storytelling in a Business Context
A structured, truthful narrative that uses clarity, simplicity and emotional resonance to make your clients feel something and then do something.
Clients are busy and overwhelmed with information. Clear storytelling helps you cut through noise, make complex ideas understandable, build trust through truth and clarity, and inspire clients to take action (whether that is aligning on a recommendation or approving a next step).
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Chandler’s Answer
The skills used most often with clients are the ability to simplify complex problems into simple solutions and the ability to tell a story. The first skill is used most often and the second skill is the one that creates the greatest opportunities.
An example of the first is you are called upon in a meeting to quickly answer a question in front of 58 people. Most of the people do not have a deep understanding of your topic. The ability to break down your topic into a simple context that they can follow turns a risk into an opportunity. People will reach out to help you. Executives will recognize you. Your boss will appreciate you. All because you have the skill of breaking down complex problems into simple solutions.
An example of the second is you are asked to speak in front of an audience about a boring topic following lunch when everyone is tired and watching the clock. This terrible situation can be turned into a great opportunity with a story. You relate to your audience and make them interested in your topic with a story. It is story telling that will get you promoted. It is story telling that will build your network. This one skill has built many fortunes and is at the heart of every creative design.
Take a complex topic that none of your friends understand then break it down into bullet points.
Use those bullet points to create a diagram of ho the complex topic works.
Create a relatable story that shows similarity between the complex topic and something familiar to your friends.
Tell the story to your friends as a way of introducing the complex topic.
Keep trying and upgrading your process until your friends are looking forward to your stories. This process will multiply the blessings in your life.
An example of the first is you are called upon in a meeting to quickly answer a question in front of 58 people. Most of the people do not have a deep understanding of your topic. The ability to break down your topic into a simple context that they can follow turns a risk into an opportunity. People will reach out to help you. Executives will recognize you. Your boss will appreciate you. All because you have the skill of breaking down complex problems into simple solutions.
An example of the second is you are asked to speak in front of an audience about a boring topic following lunch when everyone is tired and watching the clock. This terrible situation can be turned into a great opportunity with a story. You relate to your audience and make them interested in your topic with a story. It is story telling that will get you promoted. It is story telling that will build your network. This one skill has built many fortunes and is at the heart of every creative design.
Chandler recommends the following next steps:
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ADP’s Answer
The skills I use most often when working with clients are communication, relationship-building, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Every role I’ve had has been client-facing, so I’ve learned that people remember how you make them feel just as much as the service you provide. Early in my career, working in the restaurant industry helped me develop strong people skills that I still rely on today. It taught me how to stay calm under pressure, connect with different personalities, and create positive experiences even in fast-paced environments.
I consider myself a people person, and I genuinely enjoy building trust with clients early in the interaction. I believe one of the most important skills is being honest about your capabilities and limitations. I never want to overpromise something I can’t deliver because trust is built through consistency and transparency. My diverse background has also helped me become very adaptable. I’ve learned how to read situations, make people feel comfortable, and create an environment where they feel heard, respected, and valued.
One skill I wish I had developed earlier is confidence in difficult conversations and setting boundaries. Earlier in my career, I focused so much on pleasing everyone that I sometimes avoided tough conversations. Over time, I realized that being direct, professional, and honest actually strengthens relationships and leads to better outcomes for both the client and the team.
I consider myself a people person, and I genuinely enjoy building trust with clients early in the interaction. I believe one of the most important skills is being honest about your capabilities and limitations. I never want to overpromise something I can’t deliver because trust is built through consistency and transparency. My diverse background has also helped me become very adaptable. I’ve learned how to read situations, make people feel comfortable, and create an environment where they feel heard, respected, and valued.
One skill I wish I had developed earlier is confidence in difficult conversations and setting boundaries. Earlier in my career, I focused so much on pleasing everyone that I sometimes avoided tough conversations. Over time, I realized that being direct, professional, and honest actually strengthens relationships and leads to better outcomes for both the client and the team.
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Peter’s Answer
All of the above answers are great..
Always remember, we all have bad days, and never let the client see that, unless you have developed that type of relationship and they pay the bills!
And treat them how you want to be treated.
Regards
PL
Always remember, we all have bad days, and never let the client see that, unless you have developed that type of relationship and they pay the bills!
And treat them how you want to be treated.
Regards
PL