Final answer:
The first sign of sabotage with a client is indicated by option D: things could never have been worse. This extreme dissatisfaction often prompts individuals or groups to take forceful actions to rectify the situation. It is reflective of circumstances reaching a critical tipping point where change becomes necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The very first sign that sabotage is starting to happen with your client is that things could never have been worse (D). This notion suggests that conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that individuals, like the telegraphers facing poor working conditions, feel compelled to take action, potentially in the form of sabotage, to initiate change. Similarly, in military strategy, when higher officers act insubordinately out of resentment, as described in the provided statement, it often leads to ruin due to a lack of cohesive strategy.
In the context of business and design, when poor decisions early on in the process lead to outcomes that fail to meet clients' needs, this can also be a breeding ground for frustration and potential sabotage, whether intentional or not. This reflects how critical situations become catalysts for drastic measures