Part of my job involves meeting client's at Clinics and attending their meetings to support, guide and approve expenditure if required.
This morning I arrived at the Clinic earlier than my client and sat in a small waiting area where two men were discussing their cases and who was managing them. One said he was connected to my Company and related his journey so far but what he was saying was totally incorrect in respect to how we work and our guidelines and service model. He was getting quite wound up as he was relating his tale and telling the other man to ensure he didn't let this, that or the other happen to him.
Initially I was going to let him know I worked for the Company and tell him that what he was saying was incorrect and why but I thought he would probably turn on me, challenging my knowledge and become more aggressive.
Then I realised my client who I was meeting for the first time face to face, might ask if I was Clair from LME and the cat would be out of the bag. What then? Confrontation in the waiting room? Would he continue his vitriolic attack or would he drop it knowing I might challenge him?
The minutes ticked by as I sat waiting feeling a tad nervous as I pondered what might occur and how I would handle it. I was also feeling frustrated that people sometimes interpret things incorrectly, form perceptions about what has happened then deliver that information to others who in turn pass it on to their family and friends. He was doing quite a piece on this other man who was drinking it all in.
I heard footsteps approaching, my pulse increased slightly as I started at my phone pretending not to be listening to the conversation but to my relief it was someone passing by the waiting area.
Moments later the man who was on his high horse got called in and as he rounded the corner my client came in and sat down.
Perfect timing, potential confrontation averted. What a start to my day!
