People who transitioned from a traditional office job to remote work might need to adapt to a couple of things.
One of which is directly communicating with clients.
This can be intimidating, especially for first-time remote workers.
After all, if you’re not used to being direct with your seniors at work, how will you handle interacting with straightforward US or Australian clients, for instance?
Before diving into confidence-building tips, let’s take a look at the reasons why people initially feel intimidated when dealing with their clients.
Why Do You Feel Intimidated?
To overcome intimidation, try to think about why you’re intimidated in the first place.
It could be for a couple of reasons.
If you were a recent hire, you might feel pressured to do a good job and prove that you belong there. While you know you’re capable, adjusting to the day-to-day responsibilities can still be overwhelming.
Second, you want to get along with your client. This is perfectly normal, but don’t forget that you’re new to the company, and building relationships can take time.
Lastly, you could be worried about catching up with other people on your team. However, note that you’re a newbie. You aren’t expected to hit the ball out of the park in your first few days at work, so to speak.
If you’re still feeling intimidated by your client, here are some tips on how to build your confidence.
Start With Your Thoughts
As with anything, the change has to start within you.
Feelings of intimidation often stem from negative self-talk.
For instance, you make yourself small compared to the other person. (“He is so much smarter than me,” or “She will think my ideas are stupid.”)
Before you spiral any further, stop and take time to ask yourself:
Are you intimidated by the person in front of you or are you thinking about previous experiences?
Most of the time, your client isn’t the problem. Rather, it’s past experiences that affect your current behavior.
So the next time you find yourself jumping to conclusions, hear what the other person has to say first.
You’ll be surprised to know that most of the time, it’s not nearly as bad as you expected.
Curb Your Avoidance Behavior
People have various responses to stimuli.
Some want to face it straight on. Others want to run away instead.
If you’re part of the latter, this behavior only reinforces the idea that you should be intimidated by someone (in this case, your client).
While it’s not easy, take the first small step towards facing your fears.
For example, if you need to talk to them, review all your speaking points before the actual discussion. You’ll also be less likely to get intimidated when you’re well-prepared.
Start sooner rather than later.
Humanize People
Don’t put people on a pedestal.
Yes, they may have gotten to where they are now through years of hard work, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re “greater” or “better” than you.
When you idealize them, chances are you’ll let them get away with things they aren’t supposed to.
Thus, remember your client is just a human with flaws and fears too.
Consider Your Capabilities
You were hired for a reason.
Your client saw you were the right fit for the job.
Don’t forget all those moments when you received compliments for a job well done.
Remind yourself that your coworkers may have their achievements, but so do you.
Keep talking to yourself in a positive manner and watch your mindset start to shift.
Take a Deep Breath
Don’t underestimate the power of simply breathing deeply.
Before heading to that important presentation or communicating with clients, take a deep breath. It will slow your heart down and you’ll feel calmer.
Start Slow, but Start Now
You probably won’t gain confidence overnight. It does take practice.
However, what matters most is that you start somewhere. Remain consistent, and you’ll find yourself overcoming feelings of intimidation when communicating with clients.
On that note, if you think you’re ready for remote work, check out Remote Staff’s job listings. It is always updated, so you’re sure to find a role that suits your qualifications.
Remote Staff has also been in business for 15 years now (and counting)! Currently, the company is expanding to the US.
If you want to experience working with international clients, register with us today!
