I would agree. Client interests are rarely aligned with yours. If the economic relationship, however, between you and the client is genuinely fair (i.e., they

I would agree. Client interests are rarely aligned with yours. If the economic relationship, however, between you and the client is genuinely fair (i.e., they need you as much as you need them) then you're actually in a position to push back and get balanced results. I tend to find that most services companies are more obsessed with the 'close' than they are with making sure the relationship is going to work (i.e., vetting them, asking tough questions back) before signing on the dotted line. You also have to acknowledge that a high percentage of those who take on toxic clients and projects did it to themselves.