---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Clients don’t expect perfection from the…"
description: "\"“Clients don’t expect perfection from the service providers they hire, but they do expect honesty and transparency. There”\" — Patrick Lencioni"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/patrick-lencioni-1969_honesty_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1971593.png"
---

#  Clients don’t expect perfection from the service providers…

![“Clients don’t expect perfection from the service providers they hire, but they do expect honesty and transparency. There” quote by Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/patrick-lencioni-1969_honesty_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1971593.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/patrick-lencioni-1969_honesty_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1971593.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/patrick-lencioni-1969_honesty_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1971593.png)

> ““Clients don’t expect perfection from the service providers they hire, but they do expect honesty and transparency. There””

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Clients value honesty and transparency over flawless service.

**In simple terms:** Clients expect truth, not perfection.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize honesty and openness.

Themes

trust transparency service quality

Mood

empathetic analytical

Type

advisory motivational

When to use this quote

- customer service
- contract negotiations
- project management
- marketing

Key Concepts

client expectations ethical business practices

Questions to Reflect On

- How can transparency build stronger client relationships?
- What risks arise from overpromising?

A Different Perspective

Perfectionism can still be a competitive edge.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Clients Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clients-don-603478/) [Expect Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-honesty-2308127/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Honesty Transparency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty-transparency-851098/) [Transparency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transparency/)

## Related quotes

> [Clients don't expect perfection from the service providers they hire, but they do expect honesty and transparency. There is no better way to demonstrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the-service-providers-they-hire/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/honesty-and-transparency-make-you-vulnerable-be-honest-and/)

[Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/)

> [Honesty and transparency are my guiding principles in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shatrughan-sinha/honesty-and-transparency-are-my-guiding-principles-in-politics/)

[Shatrughan Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shatrughan-sinha/)

> [“We live in a culture of secrecy, where hiding and lying are accepted as natural, even though we don’t like it. We want honesty,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penney-peirce/we-live-in-a-culture-of-secrecy-where-hiding-and-lying-are-accepted/)

[Penney Peirce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penney-peirce/)

> [I don't really speak for anybody else's music, and I don't think I should, but I think the reason why people enjoy my music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-mineo/i-don-t-really-speak-for-anybody-else-s-music-and-i-don-t-think-i/)

[Andy Mineo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-mineo/)

> [It makes me ill how callously people talk about ripping their clients off I don’t know of any illegal behavior, but will people push…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-smith/it-makes-me-ill-how-callously-people-talk-about-ripping-their-clients/)

[Greg Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-smith/)

> [Most of my clients don't realize that the way they look and the way they think about their looks are two separate issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/most-of-my-clients-don-t-realize-that-the-way-they-look-and-the-way/)

[Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/)

> [The picture I was hoping for is never the picture I get, but yeah, I think they fail all the time. Fortunately my clients…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-heisler/the-picture-i-was-hoping-for-is-never-the-picture-i-get-but-yeah-i/)

[Gregory Heisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-heisler/)

> [I don't get paid if my clients don't get better by a certain time period. And sure, I have not been paid before. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/i-don-t-get-paid-if-my-clients-don-t-get-better-by-a-certain-time/)

[Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/)

> [People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/people-are-unreasonable-illogical-and-self-centered-love-them-anyway-3/)

[Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/)

> [If clients don’t trust you they will eventually stop doing business with you. It doesn’t matter how smart you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-smith/if-clients-don-t-trust-you-they-will-eventually-stop-doing-business/)

[Greg Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-smith/)

> [I don't tell clients what to do. I don't even really tell them what the future is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessa-crispin/i-don-t-tell-clients-what-to-do-i-don-t-even-really-tell-them-what/)

[Jessa Crispin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessa-crispin/)

> [Clients don't want us to do what they ask, they want us to go further](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mclean/clients-don-t-want-us-to-do-what-they-ask-they-want-us-to-go-further/)

[Kevin McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mclean/)

> [“Clients don't pay you to try. Their least expectation is to at least get from you value for their money. However, your aim should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-amanyire/clients-don-t-pay-you-to-try-their-least-expectation-is-to-at-least/)

[Allan Amanyire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-amanyire/)

> [“Authenticity is the litmus test for the honesty, transparency, and trust which are necessary for healthy relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/authenticity-is-the-litmus-test-for-the-honesty-transparency-and/)

[Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/)

## More by Patrick Lencioni

> [The vast majority of organizations today have more than enough intelligence, experience and knowledge to be successful. What they lack is organizational health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-vast-majority-of-organizations-today-have-more-than-enough/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [Trust is the foundation of real teamwork (there is nothing touchy-feely about this).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/trust-is-the-foundation-of-real-teamwork-there-is-nothing-touchy/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [“There is something so powerful about a person who in one moment can be confident enough to confront a client about a sensitive personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/there-is-something-so-powerful-about-a-person-who-in-one-moment-can/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [“The idea is that your clients are looking for good suggestions, and they don’t mind sifting through some not-so-good ones as long as they’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-idea-is-that-your-clients-are-looking-for-good-suggestions-and/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [Are your people uncomfortable during meetings and tired at the end? If not, they're probably not mixing it up enough and getting to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/are-your-people-uncomfortable-during-meetings-and-tired-at-the-end-if/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [An organization has integrity—is healthy—when it is whole, consistent, and complete, that is, when its management, operations, strategy, and culture fit together and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/an-organization-has-integrity-is-healthy-when-it-is-whole-consistent/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [I've become absolutely convinced that the seminal difference between successful companies and mediocre or unsuccessful ones has little, if anything, to do with what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-ve-become-absolutely-convinced-that-the-seminal-difference-between/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [Home is most important in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/home-is-most-important-in-the-long-run/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [If you don't know what your family stands for and what your life situation is, you're in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/if-you-don-t-know-what-your-family-stands-for-and-what-your-life/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [“First, we go figure out how to recognize a real team player, the kind of person who can easily build trust, engage in healthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/first-we-go-figure-out-how-to-recognize-a-real-team-player-the-kind/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [People will walk through fire for a leader that's true and human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/people-will-walk-through-fire-for-a-leader-that-s-true-and-human/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [The majority of meetings should be discussions that lead to decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-majority-of-meetings-should-be-discussions-that-lead-to-decisions/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [At its core, all authentic growth depends on more customers wanting more of what your company offers. Any other drivers - pricing gimmicks, heroic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/at-its-core-all-authentic-growth-depends-on-more-customers-wanting/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [“ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESSES AND LIMITATIONS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/admit-your-weaknesses-and-limitations/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [I have yet to meet members of a leadership team who I thought lacked the intelligence or the domain expertise required to be successful.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-have-yet-to-meet-members-of-a-leadership-team-who-i-thought-lacked/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

[Explore all 194 Patrick Lencioni quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

## More Honesty quotes

> [The greatest gift you can give to those around you is honesty. Sometimes honest words may sting the heart, but dishonesty pierces deep into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-greatest-gift-you-can-give-to-those-around-you-is-honesty/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [If You Love Someone, Be Brave Enough To Tell Them., Otherwise Be Brave Enough To Watch Them To Be Loved By Someone Else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/if-you-love-someone-be-brave-enough-to-tell-them-otherwise-be-brave/)

[Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/)

> [Honesty in politics is the result of strength; hypocrisy is the result of weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/honesty-in-politics-is-the-result-of-strength-hypocrisy-is-the-result/)

[Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/)

> [In all honesty, once you become a professional, number one, you're no longer a fan. I don't root for the Dodgers, really. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-scully/in-all-honesty-once-you-become-a-professional-number-one-you-re-no/)

[Vin Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-scully/)

> [Honest people don't hide their deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-bronte/honest-people-don-t-hide-their-deeds/)

[Emily Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-bronte/)

> [The quality an artist must have is objectivity in judging his work, plus the honesty and courage not to kid himself about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/the-quality-an-artist-must-have-is-objectivity-in-judging-his-work/)

[William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/)

> [I think honesty is a big part. Because when you sing live, you want the audience to believe you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pixie-lott/i-think-honesty-is-a-big-part-because-when-you-sing-live-you-want-the/)

[Pixie Lott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pixie-lott/)

> [Anything well written with good language and clarity and honesty is worth doing. It comes out of the same tradition as Shakespeare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/anything-well-written-with-good-language-and-clarity-and-honesty-is/)

[Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/)

> [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/)

[Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/)

> [Former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the radical Islamist mullahs ruling Iran share many similarities, but honesty and negotiating in good faith are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hoekstra/former-libyan-dictator-moammar-gadhafi-and-the-radical-islamist/)

[Pete Hoekstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hoekstra/)

> [“An honest man is a debtless man, he doesn't owe anyone anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-honest-man-is-a-debtless-man-he-doesn-t-owe-anyone-anything/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/don-t-worry-so-much-about-your-self-esteem-worry-more-about-your/)

[Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/)

> [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/)

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

> [America today is a confused society, caught up in a terror war, a culture war, and a media war, where honesty and professional standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/america-today-is-a-confused-society-caught-up-in-a-terror-war-a/)

[Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/)

> [There's a need for music that has urgency and emotional honesty. That's why people are reintroducing themselves to guitar music - that instrument has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mura-masa/there-s-a-need-for-music-that-has-urgency-and-emotional-honesty-that/)

[Mura Masa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mura-masa/)

[Browse all 4,388 Honesty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Clients don’t expect perfection from the service providers they hire, but they do expect honesty and transparency. There”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Patrick Lencioni"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the-service-providers-they-hire-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Honesty"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the-service-providers-they-hire-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/patrick-lencioni-1969_honesty_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1971593.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/patrick-lencioni-1969_honesty_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1971593.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/patrick-lencioni-1969_honesty_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1971593.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Clients don’t expect perfection from the service providers they hire, but they do expect honesty and…” — Patrick Lencioni",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Patrick Lencioni",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Clients don’t expect perfection from the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the-service-providers-they-hire-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the-service-providers-they-hire-2/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
