How to Respect a Client’s View—Without Selling Out Your Own
A client shares something you strongly disagree with.
Maybe it’s political. Maybe it’s personal. Maybe it touches on identity, inclusion, or values you hold dear.
You freeze.
You think:
“Do I say something? Let it go? Push back?”
It’s one of the trickiest real-time challenges in client work—balancing respect with integrity.
You want to keep the relationship strong.
But you don’t want to betray your values to do it.
That’s exactly the kind of moment the ARC Method® was built for—because it gives you a structure for responding with humanity and clarity, even in tense situations.
Step 1: Ask – Seek to Understand Before Reacting
You don’t have to agree with a client to be curious about what they mean.
Instead of rushing to correct or confront, start by asking a grounded question.
You might say:
“That’s an interesting perspective—can you tell me more about what led you to that view?”
“I’d love to understand more about what that means to you in this context.”
“Help me connect the dots here—how do you see that playing out with your team or your goals?”
This isn’t about validating a harmful viewpoint.
It’s about gathering clarity before making assumptions about intent or meaning.
Step 2: Respect – Acknowledge Their Right to Their View—Without Endorsing It
Respect isn’t the same as endorsement.
It’s about acknowledging another person’s perspective, even when you disagree.
You might say:
“I hear that this is something that matters to you, and I appreciate you being open about it.”
“Thanks for sharing that context—it helps me understand where you’re coming from.”
This kind of response gives space for their viewpoint without signaling agreement.
You’re showing professionalism, presence, and restraint.
And often, that alone creates enough space for trust to grow.
Respect can also mean not escalating. Sometimes silence, or a simple nod, is a more respectful response than rebuttal—especially when power dynamics are in play.
Step 3: Connect – Reaffirm Shared Purpose and (When Needed) Set Boundaries
Once you’ve listened and shown respect, ARC helps you reconnect to what you stand for—without creating division.
That might sound like:
“I have a slightly different view, but I think we’re aligned on the importance of [shared goal].”
“While I personally approach that a little differently, I’m committed to helping you succeed in this project.”
“In my experience, it’s important to create space for multiple perspectives—that’s how we build trust.”
And if a client says something that crosses a line—for example, something discriminatory or clearly inappropriate—you can respectfully assert your boundary:
“I want to be transparent—language like that makes it difficult for me to stay engaged in a productive way. Can we shift how we’re approaching this?”
That’s not being confrontational. That’s being clear.
ARC gives you the language to do both: stay connected and stay grounded.
What This Looks Like in Practice
You’re consulting with a client who says, “I’m all for inclusion, but we can’t hire people just to check a box.”
You pause. You’re not going to pretend you agree—but you don’t want to shut things down either.
You respond:
“I appreciate you naming that. Can I ask—what does inclusive hiring look like in your ideal world?”
After some back and forth, you say:
“Thanks for clarifying. From my view, inclusion and qualifications can absolutely go hand in hand—I’ve seen that in action. But I understand your concern about balance.”
You didn’t avoid the tension. You navigated it—with presence, respect, and clarity.
Why This Matters
Your clients are watching how you handle disagreement.
Not just because they want to avoid friction—but because how you show up in tension is a direct reflection of your professionalism.
ARC helps you show that you’re:
Curious, not combative
Respectful, not deferential
Grounded, not rigid
In short: someone they can trust, even in uncomfortable moments.
Try This
Think about a time you disagreed with a client’s comment. How did you respond—and how did it land?
Practice one ARC-style response to a viewpoint you disagree with.
Journal: What values are non-negotiable for you? How do you honor them in client work?
Want to help your team navigate client dynamics without compromising their credibility or confidence? Voices Carry equips professionals with the language and mindset to show up with grace, even under pressure.