Choose Winning Over Being Right in Business Disputes
TL;DR:
- Focus on project success rather than proving you're correct in every disagreement
- Being right all the time can actually damage client relationships and stall progress
- Ask yourself: "Is this helping me move forward or just satisfying my ego?"
- Pick your battles carefully – not every disagreement needs to escalate
- Sometimes letting go of smaller issues preserves energy for bigger challenges
When you're deep in a client disagreement, your first instinct is usually to prove you're right. You've got the emails, the evidence, the timeline that shows exactly where things went wrong. But here's a question worth asking: do you want to be right, or do you want to win?
This isn't about rolling over or pretending your expertise doesn't matter. It's about getting clear on what you actually want to achieve. If your client missed a deadline or completely changed the project scope, you probably have a solid case. But if proving that point just creates more friction without moving the project forward, what's the real benefit?
When Being Right Backfires
Standing your ground on every issue can create problems you didn't see coming. Clients start avoiding your calls. Projects drag on for months longer than they should. What started as a simple correction becomes a full-blown standoff.
The uncomfortable truth is that being technically correct doesn't always serve your bigger goals. Sometimes the "right" approach is the one that keeps things moving, even if it means swallowing your pride a bit.
How to Focus on Winning Instead
Check your real goals first. Before you fire off that email explaining exactly why the client is wrong, step back. What do you actually want to happen here? Do you want the project finished? The relationship preserved? Payment sorted? Keep that end goal in mind.
Reframe the conversation. Instead of "You're wrong about this," try "Here's what I'm seeing from my end." Instead of "That's not what we agreed," try "Let's figure out how to move forward from here." Small shifts in language can completely change the dynamic.
Pick your battles. Not every disagreement deserves your full energy. If the client wants to use a font you think is terrible, but it won't break the site, maybe that's not the hill to die on. Save your pushback for the stuff that really matters.
Look for the win-win. Often there's a solution that gets you both what you need, even if it's not exactly what either of you originally wanted. Be willing to explore options that weren't on the table at the start.
The Bigger Picture
This approach works because it shifts the focus from who's right to what works. Clients pick up on this. They stop feeling defensive and start collaborating. Projects that seemed stuck suddenly start moving again.
It doesn't mean you become a pushover. You still need boundaries, and there are definitely times to stand firm. But you choose those moments more carefully, and you approach them differently.
FAQs
How do I know when to compromise versus when to stand firm?
Ask yourself if the issue affects the project's success, your professional standards, or the client's actual needs. If it's mainly about proving a point, consider letting it go.
Won't clients take advantage if I'm not always pushing back?
Actually, the opposite tends to happen. When you're not fighting every battle, clients trust your judgment more when you do speak up about something important.
What if the client is asking for something that won't work?
This is different from ego battles. If something genuinely won't work, explain why and offer alternatives. Focus on solving their underlying problem rather than just saying no.
Jargon Buster
Scope creep: When a project gradually expands beyond its original boundaries, often without additional budget or timeline adjustments.
Stakeholder: Anyone who has a say in or is affected by the project's outcome, including clients, end users, and team members.
Project deliverables: The specific outputs or results you've agreed to provide as part of the project.
Wrap-up
Choosing to win over being right isn't about being weak or giving up your professional standards. It's about being strategic with your energy and keeping your eyes on what actually matters. The next time you find yourself in a heated discussion with a client, pause and ask yourself what outcome you really want. Sometimes the smartest move is the one that keeps everyone moving forward together.
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