Needs, Goals and Challenges

Here is a quick meeting tip. A tip to bring better value to your clients.

I think most of us have heard the phrase, to understand someone, you need to walk a mile in their shoes, first. Now, have you thought about what this means. I mean really thought about what this means.

Imagine… you are planning your families’ next vacation.  You want it to be perfect. You make the plans, you buy the best plane tickets, you book the finest hotel in the Bahamas.

Yet at the airport, you sister has her snow skis and you find out mother’s brother is allergic to sunlight.

How could you have overlooked such important details? How could others be so mistaken about a trip you planned?

Now think about work. Think about your boss, your clients, co-workers, and teammates. How do you help them avoid the work equivalent of bringing snow skis for a trip to the islands?

• Some might say you need to

• Communicate better

• Be more diligent

• Work harder

• Work smarter

• Focus on the details

And this is where today’s tip lies. A quick tip. A tip to help you address all of this. A tip for a roadmap to a better future.

The tip is - Focus on other people’s needs, goals, and challenges, before focusing on yours.

To get started… Grab yourself a piece of paper… In the middle Draw a stick figure – on one side of the paper list your needs, goals, and challenges. Then on the other side, Focus hard and write down what you see as your client’s needs, goals, and challenges. And When you are done, go back to your side and cross out what you wrote about yourself. Because they are your client, it is all about them.

Because when you help others get what they need. Help others reach their goals. Help others overcome their challenges. You become their guide.

Do this and you will get what you need. You will find yourself meeting your goals. You will find others wanting to help you with your challenges.

Take their list with you to your next meeting.

That’s the tip.

Begin all your efforts by focusing on other people’s needs, goals and challenges. Take the first step and you’ll find others looking to help you with yours.