[Mods if this isn’t allowed, I apologize, go ahead and delete]

No matter what setting you’re in, LVM do the same “hot” in the beginning, then cold, rude or indifferent a few months down the line. I’m dealing with a LVM who controls my paycheck.

I’m a writer. I don’t meet my clients most of the time. However, I’m highly googleable. So, this is my highest paying client. I can’t afford to loose him. He isn’t causing me too much anguish, but I need to get back the upper hand.

At first his communication was friendly, respectful, complementary & overall pleasant. I’d send exemplary work. He’d say “awesome! Here’s your next whatever & was happy to answer questions so that he would receive accurate work.

Well one day his wife sent me corrections on his behalf, which I’m happy to do. They weren’t unreasonable. She was nice.

Sense that communication, he has been short, rude & unpleasant when I ask questions. Then angry when I don’t read his mind. But as I said, questions aren’t something he responds well to anymore. His instructions are literally less than a sentence for a month of work worth thousands of dollars to me. And obviously worth much, much more to him.

I get the feeling he’s made her feel some type of way in the past with his communication with women. Ours was straight up kosher, dry, nice & nothing to alert. But this one interaction was the immediate change in his tone, it’s rude & effecting my ability to do my job. Which will loose me this job. If he won’t explain details & I can’t ask for them, he won’t get what he needs.

This last rude email was absolutely something he was in the wrong for neglecting to advise me on. I used an industry standard & he freaked out because it wasn’t his preference.

So now what? This isn’t a be prepared to walk away situation. I need the upper hand back. I’ve responded with short but explanatory communication. However I’m still nice. Basically treating him the same I did in the beginning. Like a nice old man who hired me for a job.

I need a strategy queens. After all, our success keeps us able to take no shit. But now I find my success threatened by a LVM somewhere in the world. I’m determined to stay on top. Does anyone have any advice?