Who Can You Rely On Most In Business?
Where do you get sound business advice?
Does this person (people) have your best intentions in mind?
When you think about who you rely on most, do a few people come to mind? And is one of these people, you?
I had the great pleasure of sitting on a panel recently where I was asked what's one piece of advice you'd give to someone starting out in business. My answer is to trust what you know to be right for you.
There are so many people out there with opinions, solutions, and answers to what it takes to be successful in business. Believe me, I'm always interested in hearing advice from people who are further ahead in their business than I am. I'm particularly interested in learning from people who've accomplished things I've yet to accomplish.
Who Can You Rely On Continued…
One thing I know to be true is I have to do what my gut tells me is right for me right now despite what all the experts have to say.
I've spent a lot of time and money following other people's advice. Most of the time it's paid off. However, there's been times when I followed someone's advice even when it didn't fit my own values and beliefs. These are the times I regret.
I give my clients this advice when they show some hesitation on implementing a suggestion. In these times, I pause and check-in to see what's going on for them. As confident as I am in the techniques I teach, if a client is unable to get the words out of their mouth or the technique feels too foreign to them, it just won't work. It's pointless to try to push forward. This is an indicator that I need to do something else, teach the technique in a new way, or give them different phrasing.
I often say, “I'll never teach you how to sell like me, it's my job to learn your authentic style and give you slight adjustments to what you're doing to be even more effective.” In sales, you have to show up as your authentic self. The people who come off as salesy are usually trying to sell like someone else. Someone, somewhere told them, “This is how to sell and this is the only way that works…” When you're trying to sell like someone else, it comes off as either fake or aggressive. Aggressive salespeople never hire me as my approach is too passive and relationship-focused for them.
Who Can You Rely On Continued…
This same advice applies to any professional you hire in your business. The person you hire should be an expert at things you're interested in learning how to do. And then, they should apply their techniques in a way that fits your own authentic style.
If you're exploring hiring someone and you get a sense their attitude is, “It's my way or the highway,” you should keep looking. You'll find someone willing to meet you where you are and that will encourage you to implement what you're learning. In the end, it's your business, your responsibility and you'll succeed or fail based on the decisions you make. Always check in with yourself to be sure any suggestion you implement fits your beliefs and values. Trust yourself first.
Wishing you continued success this week.
Agree? Disagree? Have additional comments or thoughts on this article? Please share.
