How can you build trust with new clients to prevent conflicts?

1- Leave your ego behind; It's not about you. It's about your client. 2- Listen actively, in the present moment so you can ask great questions. Make sure you take plenty notes. 3- Trust and Inspire your client. Just like you, they are filled with infinite potential. 4- How can your proposed expertise be of real VALUE to your client? 5- How can YOU really accompany them to find THEIR own sustainable solution? 6- Walk them through validating what you understand from their issues. Step-by-step, lay down a plan that will make sense for them.

Do not just give your biased opinion when talking to potential new clients. Listen carefully to what they say, and especially to what they don't say. Also, don't change your entire behavior just for your clients. Be yourself, because they see through it. Don't please, be honest about your capabilities and especially lack of it. It manages expectations.

Building trust with new clients to prevent conflict involves mirroring the principles of a successful personal relationship: maintain open communication channels to understand their needs and concerns, be responsive and available when required, and consistently deliver on your promises. By actively listening, empathizing with their requirements, and providing effective solutions, you'll foster a strong foundation of trust, ensuring a long-lasting and mutually beneficial professional partnership while minimizing potential conflicts.

It is important to set clear expectations on what the client SHOULD and SHOULD NOT expect. As a service provider your goal is not to provide all your clients needs but rather to deliver clear, visible and measurable results for your clients as agreed. Its better to be firm on deliverables and deliver as expected than to over-promise and end up with a disappointed client.

Communicating often with respect, with an open mind, and with an attitude of “continuous learning” allows an individual to come to the conversation with no “agenda”. As many of the other pieces of this article touched upon, we need to leave our egos aside and our opinions to ourselves. The most important part is to truly be present and curious about the person you’re talking to. You might be surprised with what you may find through the constant communications you have with the prospective client.

Remember we’re all on the same team! If you can reframe the narrative of the conflict away from “You vs Them” or “Him vs Her” to “Us vs The Project”, you’ll be much more successful at accomplishing your goals.

Be professional and transparent in your dealings with the client. When dealing with a new client always remember they are taking a gamble by going with you. Build your new client's trust by being professional and trustworthy.