This is so true Jennie.  I find that some of my clients are pretty nervous when I arrive to do a consultation.  I think they expect me to behave like the "stagers" on T.V. do.  Being a critic doesn't serve anyone well and it certainly doesn't present you in a professional manner.  Of course it is necessary that we critique though.  It's a fine line that we have to be careful not to cross so that we don't end up being perceived as a critic.  By the way, make sure you check out HGTV's newest show The Stagers when it airs in the U.S.  The first episode aired in Canada last week.  I thought it was pretty good, more realistic and the stagers were not rude with the homeowner.  I think it's airing in the U.S. on either July 20th or July 22nd - I forget which.  

Jenny, one of the things I often hear from clients is, "I was worried that you would talk to me like those women on TV. Thank you for being so nice!" I always remind the client that those women are NOT home stagers and that TV is built on a different criteria than is the real down and dirty home staging of any given property. In some ways it seems to work FOR us that clients can compare us to unlikable personalities. Gosh it is so much easier to be nice than to be hateful. Good discussion of the difference between Critic and Critique.

This is a great explanation of the difference!

I, too, have had clients wary of hiring me, thinking that I was going to be "mean" like stagers are sometimes portrayed. For that reason I always suggest to Realtors that they allow me to make the initial contact with the client. Just a simple phone conversation can allay those fears, and result in getting a consultation that will benefit all involved--client, Realtor, and stager!

I agree to all who have shared - and the sad thing about the media portrayal of Staging to date is that "we" come across as mean critics - and the public then expects that type of commentary and are on the defensive from the start.  I usually always chat with the client prior to meeting with them - and establish rapport on the phone - then show up in person and am not "all business" - and this helps the client gain trust and a level of comfort, and see that I am not a critic - but someone that cares and wants them to achieve their goal of selling their house. - Jennie

It is crutial that we (stagers) do not offend our homeowners.  The message between the critic and critique may be the same, but it is all in the delivery.  We need to give our information in a helpful (not hurtful) manner.  GREAT TOPIC!!!

Jennie - what a great blog.  One time we were to busy to do a consult for one of our Realtors so he went with someone else.  He told us - never again!!  This stager actually made the homeowner cry!  Margo and I always try to find a kind, tactful way to get our point across.  Betty

Thanks everyone for your feedback - all great points and confirmation of what I know is needed as a professional Stager!  Sad that the media does not seem to get it and would rather rely on the drama of the negative and not the compassion that is really at the heart of what we do as true Stagers.

And Betty - I have also had to come in and "save the day" when a "Stager" (with no foundation, no background on handling a client) that does not understand his or her role is not to be a CRITIC - nearly blows the deal for a Realtor.  THAT is not what we want!  - Jennie