I cannot believe what I did today, however, in reflection, I am quite proud!
I walked out on a client and announced that I resigned from helping her.
(I hope it goes over well tomorrow after they hear about it at work)
The nature of my work puts me in a position to consult with clients to offer my recommendations. It is sometimes the case that these clients are demonstrating boundary buster type traits or personalities. It is my job to deal with the personalities and accomplish the goals set out. (The clients are often in stressful circumstances... .some anxiety and difficult behavior is MO for the course)
Tonight, I actually encountered a person who was the worse ever!
She began with trying to insist her appointment be, "now!"
I insisted I was in the middle of a project and had schedule this time to continue for another hour.
She insisted, "well, what if
I too, am working on an equally important project?"
Me: thinking... .is this gal for real? "Well, then we would also have to work around that as well." "So, let's come up with a time, given the circumstances."
Her: "Well, you are talking to me now! You should be available. What are you doing now?"
Me: this must be a joke... .no one is this rude? "Right now, I stopped what I was doing to discuss scheduling with you, then I will resume my scheduled project work."
Her: "ok, I will rearrange all of my appointments to accommodate seeing you in an hour"
Me: she seriously just made that up... .her calendar was clear... .holy cow... .weird!
Ok... .so condensed... .
I arrived... . My job is to assess, discuss, make a recommendation. Her role is to listen to recommendations, participate in the process, work to implement my plan. Then I work out kinks with her.
Well... .
I arrived and she had told
me the plan
She told me to get started implementing it
That I wasn't moving fast enough and it had to be done now!
She started blaming and accusing me of not listening... .as she cut me off trying to redefine the process, our roles, expectations... etc.
(Umm... .ok... .so she thinks she can verbally/emotionally abuse me?)
I literally told her that I could not work with her, that I am leaving, I hope to be able to find someone that can help her, as I cannot.
She looked at me in disbelief, let me know that she would be making a complaint. (Threat)
I told her... .Ok, that would be fine. I do hope to find someone who is able to help you... .bye.
I have never walked out on a client ever!
I let two people in the company know what occurred... .
The first apologized for putting me in that position. (Kind but not his fault)
But then also said fortunately there was not long left to the work with her.
To which I kindly pointed out that "it is MY policy" that I do not work with any client that deals with me in a threatening manner... .even if the threat is not to me physically or otherwise... .but to my job. I explained that I had resigned from her work specifically and my report regarding what occurred will be in with the company in a timely manner. (So whoever doesn't have much time to work with her... .that person still is not me... .I am clearly done with her... .no mistake here)
The second person I told said... .
"But didn't it feel great? I wish that I had resigned from a couple of clients that I should have that were abusive! I will from now on, we all should, go you!"
