How Customer Teams are Different than Other Functions
We could certainly talk about the obvious reasons customer experience differs from other functions. But the part I want to focus on today is the emotional side of working with customers.
Customer facing teams must be empathetic, understanding, firm, and solution oriented. This is no small feat. You never know what you will encounter on the other end. Will the customer be distant, happy, frustrated, or demanding? Will they feel like someone you could grab happy hour with, or someone who tests every ounce of your patience? Add to that the long standing belief that “the customer is never wrong,” and this role can be incredibly challenging.
Finance runs the numbers. Sales and Marketing close deals and bring customers into the product. Product and Engineering build and refine what is offered. Each of these functions is essential. They are simply different. Not better or worse, just different in the type of pressure they carry.
Customer teams operate at the intersection of business outcomes and human emotion.
As you build, train, and lead your team, remember that emotional intelligence is not optional. It matters for you as a leader, and it matters deeply for those doing the work every day.
When hiring, look for early signs that someone can carry the emotional weight of customer facing work, whether they are a Customer Success Manager, a support representative, or an onboarding specialist. You will thank yourself later.
Susan Scott writes in Fierce Conversations:
“The phrases ‘Don’t take this personally’ and ‘Don’t take yourself so seriously’ are misguided suggestions. Do take it personally; do take yourself seriously. Work is deeply personal. Leading is intensely personal.”
Customer work is inherently emotional because it involves frustration, urgency, and people who need help. It can feel personal because it is personal. So let us be the kind of representatives and leaders who acknowledge that reality and operate well within it. Let us set ourselves and our teams up for success.
Here are a few practical ways to do that:
Hire the right fit. There is nothing more costly than investing time onboarding someone who ultimately is not suited for customer facing work. Do not rush the process.
Train your team consistently. Do not treat development as a one time event. Invest continually, not only in their skills but also in their ability to navigate difficult and diverse customer interactions.
Establish clear escalation paths. Sometimes the best solution is a change in voice or authority. Clear processes reduce stress for both the customer and the team member.
Make your support visible. Let your team know you are invested in their success. Serve them well so they can serve others well.
Celebrate the hard days as much as the good ones.
Never stop recognizing and appreciating your people.
Customer experience is not just a function. It is emotional labor performed in service of growth. Lead accordingly.
