Your client resists every suggestion you make. How do you break through their barriers?
When clients resist your suggestions, it can be challenging to maintain progress and achieve desired outcomes. To break through their barriers, consider these strategies:
What strategies have you found effective in overcoming client resistance? Share your thoughts.
Your client resists every suggestion you make. How do you break through their barriers?
When clients resist your suggestions, it can be challenging to maintain progress and achieve desired outcomes. To break through their barriers, consider these strategies:
What strategies have you found effective in overcoming client resistance? Share your thoughts.
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Start by actively listening to their concerns, as resistance often stems from misunderstandings or uncertainty. Use open-ended questions to explore their reasoning and identify any obstacles they may encounter. If your client feels hesitant about making significant changes, consider suggesting smaller, manageable steps to help them ease into the process. This approach can build confidence and prepare them for greater acceptance of larger changes in the future.
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I’ve been there, and it can be frustrating when you feel like you’re hitting a wall. So this is what I do. First, I remind myself that resistance often comes from fear or uncertainty, so instead of pushing harder, I lean into empathy. I ask open-ended questions to understand where the resistance is coming from and listen carefully to my client's concerns. I also validate their perspective, letting them know I hear them, but I gently help them see the potential benefits. Patience is key. It’s a dance of understanding, guiding, and giving your clients the space to come to their own conclusions.
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Let me try to be direct i will say try stepping into their shoes and asking --- What's behind the no? We should break the ice with questions that reveal their concerns & then tailor solutions to their needs not ours. It very simple if we can’t explain it simply we don’t understand it well enough. Moment we simplify things we can watch the barriers melt all the time !
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Meet resistance with curiosity, not frustration. Ask open-ended questions to uncover the root of their hesitation: “What concerns you about this approach?” or “How does this suggestion align with your goals?” Validate their feelings and emphasize collaboration: “Let’s adapt this to better suit your needs.” Reframe suggestions as experiments, not mandates, to encourage small, low-risk steps. Building trust through understanding often dismantles barriers more effectively than persuasion.
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key isn’t to push harder—it’s to connect deeper. Resistance is often rooted in fear or past conditioning, so my first move is to understand where it’s coming from. I don’t challenge their resistance; I meet them there. Ask powerful, open-ended questions like, “What’s holding you back?” or “What does success look like to you?” This shifts the focus from my suggestions to their inner dialogue, creating space for clarity and trust. Next, I align with their values. People are more open when they see how change serves what matters most to them. Lastly, I break the goal into small, achievable steps. Progress, no matter how small, dissolves resistance and builds belief. Transformation begins when they feel seen, heard, and empowered—not forced.
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