The Developer's Code

Essay 38

The Tough Client Is Ubiquitous

It’s easy to start ranting about an awful client. But remember, this problem is not uniquely ours. In fact, we have it easy compared to some others.

When an architect designs a house, the homeowner sees only what’s easily visible. She sees the obvious qualities of the home—the granite countertops, hardwood floors, and crown molding—not the subtle nature of a floor plan that the architect may have anguished over for months.

When a chef cooks a meal that’s off by a salt grain, a picky critic delights in sending it back. The chef’s work, completely nullified, is tossed away. I once saw a rather pretentious family’s entire set of orders sent back to the kitchen because their teenage son lost his appetite ...