I was thinking of one of my favorite clients and the brain went to the question “why?” What made her such a good client?
I think it was her mix of enthusiasm and experience. There is the heated enthusiasm of novices, which is cute but ultimately frustrating when the team ends up constantly reinventing the wheel. There is also jaded experience where one’s joy has been sucked out over the cruel passage of time.
But when one finds a good mix, it makes for a great working relationship. A consultant is hired by the client to help them help themselves. And the consultant can best accomplish that when the client starts with a strong concept of the destination, even if they aren’t sure how to get there (after all that’s why the consultant was needed).
While it is important to have a client who grasps the basics, it’s also a joy to work with someone who is still open to new and different ideas. A good client is interested enough in the project to realize they aren’t the only person with the answers. You want to work for someone who wants you for more than the final physical deliverables.
There is a balancing act with enthusiasm and experience, and when you’ve come across who’s got it, cherish it while it lasts.