When you take on clients you often know little to nothing about them personally. While you will know about their business and goals, many people guard their personality during initial introductions because they fear being brash, unconventional, or awkward. This issue of authenticity can be a problem down the line if personalities clash or troubling behaviours such as narcissistic tendencies begin to show.

In most cases you don’t know you are being bogged down by a toxic client until it is too late. In the Oxford Dictionary, narcissism is described as “selfishness, involving a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration”. In the workplace, this can be extremely challenging.

These types of people can be manipulative and attempt to dominate conversations. Narcissistic traits may also come out in the form of belittling others and gaslighting. This can be particularly damaging in business, leaving uncomfortable dynamics, eroding trust and most of all, disrupting the workplace atmosphere.

Special techniques may be needed to deal with narcissistic clients, including knowing when and how to set clear boundaries. This can help prevent being pulled into power struggles which can leave you feeling demoralised and drained of energy. If left unchecked this can decrease job satisfaction and increase stress. It can chip away at your self-esteem and in turn damage productivity and decision making.

However, when the individual’s behaviours and comments begin to bother you outside of work hours it is important to have a reality check. Having peace of mind needs to be more highly regarded than profit, especially when it leaves you lying awake at night. Sometimes the best thing to do is to cut ties with the client and walk away.

The turbulent events of the last four years have left many questioning what they want out of a job, putting increased focus on maintaining a work-life balance. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development undertook research into health and wellbeing at work. It found that 76% of respondents took absence from work due to stress​1.

For many, cutting off clients is a risky gamble which can have financial implications. It can leave you in a dilemma where you are forced to choose between the stress of an impacted cash flow and the stress of dealing with a difficult client. Cash flows are the vital life blood of any company, especially a small business. Often the easier choice appears to be continuing with the narcissistic client. However, taking the bold decision to let them go can help restore peace of mind and self-esteem.

Like many entrepreneurs, I too have faced difficulties with clients. After attempting to continue my work with them, I found the best thing for my business was to cut ties for my own wellbeing. There is always the opportunity to win new and better clients in future, and for me at least, it paid off. You simply cannot put a price on peace of mind.