Today we’re here to talk about something that isn’t taught in school or any course available to consumers. Being an entrepreneur and producing services and or products is faced with constant criticism and complaints. Creative people are good at what they do because they have a passion and talent; often they become attached to their craft like a child. Therefore, dealing with rejection towards this child, can be disheartening. The key is to not let this rejection kill your confidence or ability to handle it accordingly.
Below are a few examples on how to manage your work to help avoid unnecessary rejection;
1. Getting to know your client
Here at Francis + Bell Design Studio we like to get an understanding of who are clients are by learning what they like, how they like to work and how they process information. It helps to connect with your client by allowing them to share photos of styles they like, getting a vision of how they expect things to look will help you to compartmentalize it and make it reality. Ask them about the quality of work they are expecting so you can set real expectations to avoid disappointment.
2. Manage unrealistic expectations prior to working
As a business person looking to get the best jobs and make the most ideal relationships with our clients, sometimes we tend to give into the client’s unrealistic ideas of how things should work or look based on budget and or location. Do not promise the world to your client’s at any point of your process, this only sets you up for rejection later when you are not able to deliver.
These tips are pretty straight forward and are useful in avoiding future conflict; but let’s evaluate the harsh reality of when we do have to deal with rejection.
These tips are pretty straight forward and are useful in avoiding future conflict; but let’s evaluate the harsh reality of when we do have to deal with rejection.
1. Do not take rejection personally
The first rule to remember is; don’t take any of the rejection personally. Being a master of creation only comes from critique and how you are able to receive then learn from it. The key is to detach yourself from your work; often creatives produce work that is an emotional extension of themselves. Let the bird fly out of the nest; your creative views will never be the same as your clients, which is why they hired you in the first place. Never allow feedback to setback your confidence, you are not creating for you, you’re creating for the client.
2. Keep calm and rebuttal with compassion
Angry clients are unfortunately apart of the package as an entrepreneur, everyone is on edge until the work is done and all is forgotten. Often you will receive disgruntled emails, calls or text where a client will challenge your intelligence and patience. Do not respond by “matching their energy” even if you and your team know that you are right. Flood them with compassion and kindness, listen to their concerns and stop focusing on the problem and work through a solution. The more a client sees your problem solving the less combative they will be the next time an issue occurs.
The most important part to remember after all this is; rejection will still occur even if you have taken every precaution possible to avoid it. The way you deal with it and learn from it is how you grow as an entrepreneur. Avoiding struggle is not how creatives produce, the greatest innovations form through conflict.
- Jamelya.F
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