Follow the Leader
When I work on a project with a client I am the leader. I’m like the mother goose leading the way. We work together but I take the lead, this is what you have hired me for. Most clients are probably used to being in charge of their household, kids, employees, or a whole company. It may not feel as comfortable to take a back seat position but trust me, this is necessary to ensure everyone is happy.
I have learned from experience that allowing clients to control things only makes a mess, and things go wrong quickly. I have in the past felt that it was OK to use a client’s “friend” who owns a workroom rather than my own, or let clients source their own furniture; but that fact is then no one is happy. In the past when I have tried to be accommodating in this way, it has led to miscommunication, finger pointing, missed deadlines, and too many cooks in the kitchen. With the best of intentions things still go wrong.
When you have hired me as your designer try to think of it like this- I am the bus driver, it’s a party bus and an enjoyable ride. I will point out notable things along the way to our destination, and the destination is one we have agreed to go on together. You should sit back and enjoy the ride. If you try to grab the steering wheel from my hands, bad things happen. I need you to resist the urge to pull the steering wheel from my hand, because if you do I will let you walk home. Don’t make me pull this car over 😉
“Don’t make me pull this car over”
Heather McManus
Artistry Interiors
February 2, 2016
