What's the point?

I was working today with a client that I have known for years, a wonderful lady from Germany.  She brought a picture from her last hair cut and said with a strong accent, "Remember this is what we are going for."  Wonderful, I know exactly what we are going to do.  I have laid the groundwork to get her to this hair cut in the previous months.  Today will be a trim.  I execute the cut, and she leaves very happy.

                      

Rewind 12 weeks, same client different story.  She comes in wanting a perm and cut.  I have permed this guest’s hair several times, and I ask what she is thinking for this time.  I hear her respond, "I want it more wild, and soft curls."  I agree this will look great.  I look at the "formula" that we used last time, and make the decision to use a perm rod that is bigger than the one we used before, to make this "soft" look.  Perm is done, hair cut is finished, and I say, "This is great, it's softer for you, and it’s what you said you wanted."  To this, my lovely client gives me a funny look- I said, "You did say softer, but more wild...right?"  She responds, "No, I wanted a tighter, wilder curl, not softer and looser.  I hope this works."

Right away I know I made a huge mistake.  I thought I was communicating with my client, I wasn't.  I heard her say more wild- but she said tighter.  The accent could have thrown me off, but I didn't reiterate what I thought she wanted.  I ended up having to re-perm her, thankfully she knows me and trusted that this was "miscommunication" and not lack of skill.  I did get it right the second time. 

My point here is, no matter how long I have been doing hair, the most important part- the one thing I need to refine and work on every day, work or home, is communication.  I strive to build my career and my relationships based on great communication. I can give a great hair cut, but if it's not the one you really wanted, it doesn't matter if it's technically perfect.