Listen actively and understand the client's views and reasons for the push-back. Summarize the main reasons and playback for concurrence. Clearly articulate how your advice accomplishes the objectives and priorities set out for the consulting; a traceability map will help in this process. For the main reasons determined for client's push back, (i) detail the remedial measures, (ii) explain with data/facts from consulting to mitigate the client's fear or anxiety, and (iii) refine your recommendations and clearly document the tradeoffs.

Here's how to overcome it: Active Listening: Empathetically listen to their concerns, validating their perspectives. Questioning: Ask open-ended questions to understand their reasoning and underlying fears. Transparency: Clearly explain your rationale and the potential benefits of your recommendations. Collaboration: Frame your advice as a joint effort, emphasizing their expertise and seeking their input. Flexibility: Be open to adjusting your recommendations based on their feedback and concerns. Building Trust Demonstrate your credibility and commitment to their success. Pilot Testing: Propose small-scale pilots to test your recommendations and reduce risk. Communication: Maintain open and consistent communication throughout the process.

When a client’s team resists my advice, I focus on building trust and understanding. First, I listen carefully to their concerns sometimes resistance comes from misalignment or lack of clarity. Second, I present evidence, like data, examples, or case studies, to show why my recommendations can deliver results. Finally, I adopt a collaborative approach, involving the team to refine ideas. This helps create ownership and makes them more open to solutions. By staying patient, clear, and focused, I turn resistance into progress.

Here’s how I handle it: 1. Listen Actively: Understand their concerns and reasons for resistance. 2. Show Empathy: Acknowledge their perspective and validate their feelings. 3. Provide Evidence: Share data and examples to support your advice.

9 times out of 10 it will be passive resistance. And it’s resistance based on an irrational fear of something. Try and find out what the fear is and devise strategies to alleviate them.

When a client's team pushes back, it’s crucial to handle the situation with empathy and clarity. Start by listening actively to their concerns—understanding their objections helps you address them directly. Then, provide evidence to back up your recommendations—use data, case studies, or real-world examples to show the value and potential impact of your advice. Lastly, collaborate on solutions. Involve the team in refining your approach, making them feel part of the process. This helps build trust and fosters alignment, turning resistance into a productive conversation.