Q&A the reachable and agreed-upon goals, allowing them to work out the more contentious discussions in private after you’ve outlined possible options. ■ CONSIDER PHASES. This is the magic word in client communication. Some
clients simply don’t have the space or the money today to accomplish everything they’d like to do. It’s been my experience that most clients are willing to consider a master plan that allows them to add elements over time. If one person won’t budge or one element isn’t immediately doable, prioritizing and keeping something on the back burner for phase 2 can sometimes be a solution or diffuse a conflict. Small steps sometimes make compromises easier to swallow. ■ FINALIZE AND DOCUMENT DECISIONS. Ensure you follow up with
documentation, including specific language reminding them of design rationale for compromises and adjustments you’ve outlined. If differences get ugly, manage your meeting and consider carefully after leaving whether or not the overall dynamic is workable. Trust your instincts: If a relationship is very contentious from the outset, simple style disagreements may foreshadow more serious issues like financial or management conflicts you’re not willing to tackle.
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Restoring the native landscape
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