Morning Motivator – The Truth About Being Candid

"Write down the advice of him who loves you, though you like it not at present."
-Proverb 

Who are your BEST friends?  Are they the people you LIKE the most or the one's that you RESPECT most?  If you are lucky – they are both! 

The EXCELLENCE of a real friend and trusted advisor is that they will tell you what you NEED to hear, not what you want.  They share their thoughts about your ACTIONS and help you stay on the best path.  (If they are not helping you stay on the BEST path, it may be time for a new friend).  More importantly, they have the RIGHT to speak to you candidly without long term repercussions.  You may be "stung" by a comment and it will still be unlikely that you will foster ILL WILL against them, for it was the truth that they spoke. 

The VALUE of someone that can speak OPENLY and CANDIDLY is impossible to measure.  In a society that is "watered down" by racial tensions, political correctness, and character assumption, having that TRUSTED advisor that can speak to you in "plain and simple" terms is CRITICAL to your long-term success. 

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
In business, the best PROFESSIONALS adopt a similar approach to consulting clients.  We are able to EDUCATE a client with FACTS about their needs; albeit possible they don't want to hear those facts.

As a growing professional, you must learn to OVERCOME the fears and misconceptions that being CANDID with a client is rude or somehow unprofessional.  Remember that your clients have ASKED you for HELP, not to tell them how awesome they are or how great their business is.  They WANT your EXPERTISE and ADVICE on how to better their situation. 

In my personal experience, I have DISCOVERED that my clients do not always like the news I may have for them, however, because I am FAIR and CONSISTENT, they do respect my opinion.  Moreover, I provide them with OPTIONS to solve their needs – IDEAL and FUNCTIONAL – from which they can decide (after being educated properly) which solution BEST fits THEIR needs. 

Want to WIN a CUSTOMER? Tell them what they want to hear.

Want to EARN a CLIENT? Tell them what they need to hear (then solve it!)

Cheers,
Zach

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