As the late and much-respected Alice Rayner, longtime Beverly Hills manager for the Jon Douglas Company, wisely said:
“If they’re beating on you on the way in, they’ll be beating on you on the way out.”
I’ve been hearing a lot lately from agents dealing with toxic clients — not difficult ones, but abusive ones. You know the type: constantly critical, dismissive, disrespectful, manipulative. Nothing is ever right. They use foul language, pit people against each other, and thrive on chaos.
Here’s the truth — it’s not their fault; it’s ours.
We see the red flags. We feel the bad energy. Our gut tells us this one’s going to be a train wreck. But we rationalize it away:
“It’s a big listing.”
“It’s in my farm.”
“They’re famous.”
“They’re powerful.”
Or, “Maybe it’s just me.”
And so we take the deal… only to regret it. They take over your headspace, your time, your energy. You can’t sleep, can’t focus, and start losing other opportunities because this one client is consuming your every thought.
The lesson? When you sense it — bow out early. Do it politely, do it professionally, but do it. You’re not obligated to endure abuse for a commission.
Protect your peace, your confidence, and your business.
The right clients respect you, trust you, and make you better.
The wrong ones drain you, distract you, and keep you small.
Choosing who you work with is a form of self-respect — and in this business, self-respect is everything.
