My 2025 Will Be Affirming

This year, I’m dedicating my effort to affirming others well before I solve their commercial challenges.

I often observe in others their impetuousness to be heard rather than learning from others first and then contributing their knowledge.

The first program I deliver to new clients focuses on understanding the client’s business before solving problems. I apply that to my own business development work, too. It’s important to me that, as I always say, I listen first, sell second.

Great consulting and advising begins with client affirmation. Listening to a client’s issues is a pillar of this effort. If you demonstrate that you heard them when they communicated their challenges and you can recite them back, you’ve just moved the needle towards becoming their trusted advisor. You cannot be seen or heard as highly insightful without affirming your client’s challenges and the impact they have on their firm’s business. The solution must be taught to them from their admission of their challenges.

Succeeding at this dramatically aids us in making a difference to someone, which is why we do what we do. Many years ago, a wise client of mine shared his primary operating principle: Give, Love, Serve. Looking for my 2025 resolution…well there you have it!

Good success this year!