--- 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 is no better way to demonstrat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/patrick-lencioni-1969_apologizing_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1490957.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 is no better way to demonstrate this than by acknowledging when a mistake has been made and humbly apologizing for it.” quote by Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/patrick-lencioni-1969_apologizing_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1490957.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/patrick-lencioni-1969_apologizing_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1490957.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/771/patrick-lencioni-1969_apologizing_clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the_1490957.png) > “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 this than by acknowledging when a mistake has been made and humbly apologizing for it.” [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 performance; admitting errors builds trust. **In simple terms:** Honesty matters more than perfection. Key Takeaway Own mistakes quickly. Themes trust honesty leadership service communication Mood respectful trust-building Type advice leadership When to use this quote - customer service - project management - team meetings - crisis response Key Concepts Ethics reputation management customer relations Questions to Reflect On - How can you create a culture that encourages admitting errors? - What steps ensure apologies are genuine? A Different Perspective If apologies are insincere, they can damage credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acknowledging Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledging-mistake-5449009/) [Apologizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologizing/) [Better way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-way/) [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/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Transparency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transparency/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [“Clients don’t expect perfection from the service providers they hire, but they do expect honesty and transparency. There”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/clients-don-t-expect-perfection-from-the-service-providers-they-hire-2/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [Black, white and brown people have to work together to find new answers. The only way we can stop the systemic problems that people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/black-white-and-brown-people-have-to-work-together-to-find-new/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [“I had every right because you’re stubborn, and unless you saw it for yourself you wouldn’t have believed me when I told you this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-adams/i-had-every-right-because-you-re-stubborn-and-unless-you-saw-it-for/) [Anna Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-adams/) > [Trust your heart and your intuition, it will never lie to you. Don't expect honesty and truth from everyone you meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/trust-your-heart-and-your-intuition-it-will-never-lie-to-you-don-t/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [I give you honesty and I expect honesty. I trust you and I can only hope you trust me too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-give-you-honesty-and-i-expect-honesty-i-trust-you-and-i-can-only/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I have learnt that we expect honesty and genuineness from others, while not being honest and genuine with our own self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aisha-mirza/i-have-learnt-that-we-expect-honesty-and-genuineness-from-others/) [Aisha Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aisha-mirza/) > [“If you expect honesty, be honest. If you expect forgiveness, forgive. If you expect a whole person, you have to be a whole person.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-crockett/if-you-expect-honesty-be-honest-if-you-expect-forgiveness-forgive-if/) [Kristen Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-crockett/) > [Don't expect honesty from cheap people !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-expect-honesty-from-cheap-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dont expect honesty from fake people. It's like showing a diamond to a blind and asking about its Glittering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-expect-honesty-from-fake-people-it-s-like-showing-a-diamond-to-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## 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 Apologizing quotes > [“There were probably many factors that kept the relationship going and kept your love alive. There were all his promises. "I promise this will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-kennedy-dugan/there-were-probably-many-factors-that-kept-the-relationship-going-and/) [Meg Kennedy Dugan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-kennedy-dugan/) > [“A lady need never apologize. ~ Joseph de Bonaparte (Brother of Napoleon)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pataki/a-lady-need-never-apologize-joseph-de-bonaparte-brother-of-napoleon/) [Allison Pataki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pataki/) > [A jerk will keep hurting you then apologize to keep you from leaving them, and then do it all over again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/a-jerk-will-keep-hurting-you-then-apologize-to-keep-you-from-leaving/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [To apologize for what you most wanted to do, to concede that it was obnoxious, boring, 'vulgar and unsafe' --- that was the worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hollinghurst/to-apologize-for-what-you-most-wanted-to-do-to-concede-that-it-was/) [Alan Hollinghurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hollinghurst/) > [I have some friends who are actors. I've watched them work. And I would say that of all the arts, acting is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/i-have-some-friends-who-are-actors-i-ve-watched-them-work-and-i-would/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [President Bush deliberately did not apologize for things and that’s because advisers around him, including those there, felt that the press corps would jump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gregory/president-bush-deliberately-did-not-apologize-for-things-and-that-s/) [David Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gregory/) > [Apologizing does not always mean you are wrong, it just means that value your relationships more than your ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinier-bennett/apologizing-does-not-always-mean-you-are-wrong-it-just-means-that/) [Chinier Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinier-bennett/) > [I would like to publicly apologize to anyone I have NOT offended¦I will get to you shortly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-would-like-to-publicly-apologize-to-anyone-i-have-not-offended-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have a responsibility, and it's something that I did wrong, and if I could personally apologize to every single person that has lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-richie/i-have-a-responsibility-and-it-s-something-that-i-did-wrong-and-if-i/) [Nicole Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-richie/) > [To the millions of Americans whove attempted to use HealthCare.gov to shop and enroll in health-care coverage, I want to apologize to you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-tavenner/to-the-millions-of-americans-whove-attempted-to-use-healthcare-gov-to/) [Marilyn Tavenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-tavenner/) > [My overall point is that 'one and dones' are not healthy for college basketball. I should not have made it personal to Kentucky and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-knight/my-overall-point-is-that-one-and-dones-are-not-healthy-for-college/) [Bobby Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-knight/) > [Don't apologize for being patriotic. Support the troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/don-t-apologize-for-being-patriotic-support-the-troops/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [How many chefs when I was a young boy shouted at me during service? All I ever said was "Yes, chef." The customer is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/how-many-chefs-when-i-was-a-young-boy-shouted-at-me-during-service/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [I want to use my connections with coaches, players, celebrities, whomever, and if I can take that friendship and use it to help someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-tebow/i-want-to-use-my-connections-with-coaches-players-celebrities/) [Tim Tebow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-tebow/) > [I apologize for the cruel things that I did but I don't regret one single word I said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/five-finger-death-punch/i-apologize-for-the-cruel-things-that-i-did-but-i-don-t-regret-one/) [Five Finger Death Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/five-finger-death-punch/) [Browse all 854 Apologizing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologizing/) ```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. 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