You’re working with difficult clients in a Strategic Communications career. How can you avoid burnout?

To avoid burnout when working with difficult clients in a Strategic Communications career, prioritize self-care, set boundaries, seek support from colleagues or mentors, and practice stress-management techniques.

Con todos los clientes, difíciles o no es básico establecer el alcance del trabajo, tiempo y recursos invertido y resultados esperados y como se pueden medir. Con un cliente difícil, esto es la herramienta para poderlo llevar a feliz término

"Boundary Blueprint" Set Clear Boundaries Establishing clear boundaries is essential. I communicate my working hours, availability, and scope of work from the outset. This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings and sets the tone for a professional relationship.

Have a plan and show progress as per plan and set timelines, if there are lags communicate well and explain the reasons. If things are on track and suddenly new priorities emerge - reiterate processes, timelines, budgetary needs, staff time. Ensure you don’t take any new idea without a proper plan for execution backed with resources. Agility in strategic communications is alright but constant demands indicates a lack of respect for timelines and people who manage projects.

Una de las preguntas que deben estar en los brief con los clientes es conocer las expectativas que ellos tienen en el desarrollo de un proyecto de comunicaciones estratégico. Hasta donde quieren llegar y cómo lo pueden lograr. Aterrizando estas expectativas y hablándolas con cliente es la única forma de ponerlas sobre la mesa con los clientes díficiles.

"Expectation Management" Manage Expectations Managing client expectations is key to a harmonious working relationship. I ensure that deliverables, timelines, and communication protocols are agreed upon and understood by both parties to avoid last-minute surprises.

El apoyo que necesitas para manejar un cliente difícil, también puede venir de terceros, que puedan integrar parte de tu equipo y con el conocimiento y experiencia que tienen, pueden lograr manejar a un cliente difícil que se te sale de la manos.

"Support Systems" Seek Support No one should handle difficult situations alone. I seek support from colleagues, mentors, or a professional network. Their advice and perspective can be invaluable in navigating tricky client relationships.

Have personal goals outside of work and be non apologetic about it. Those who transcend boundaries repeatedly - call them out on their behaviour and hold them accountable and ensure that it isn’t repeated. Firm boundaries, polite demeanour.

Make yourself aware that burnout has nothing to do with the career you are in. Sure there are different circumstances in career paths. Pain is unavoidable but suffering is. If you suffer, it is because your struggle doesn't seem to reach its goal. While self-care is great, all you might be doing is patching yourself up for the next battle. It might just prolong your course of suffering. So if self-care is an application of taking ownership, it is great, but it cannot replace it.

Cuando puedes decidir cuáles son tus clientes ideales, selecciona con cautela quién es y quién no es tu cliente ideal. No solo la remuneración es importe, es saber si puedes trabajar en armonía con un cliente para poder llevar a buen término un proyecto.