Key Messages
How To Build Trust As A Consultant By Overcoming Your Fears
When you’re a consultant, building trust and creating lasting relationships with clients is perhaps the most important aspect of your job.
To do this effectively, it’s essential to be vulnerable in order to forge strong bonds with those you work with.
Getting Naked by Michael Boyajian highlights the power of vulnerability and what it takes to overcome three common fears that keep many consultants from being open: fear of sweating, fear of asking “stupid questions,” and fear of doing tasks they might not want to do.
By understanding the importance of making yourself vulnerable, you can foster genuine relationships with clients – which is key to any successful consulting business.
By following the advice outlined in Getting Naked, you will learn why hiding the fact that you are sweating won’t help your cause; why there are no such things as “stupid questions;” and why getting your hands dirty on projects from time-to-time could actually benefit both parties.
The Key To Successful Relationships: Learn How To Embrace Vulnerability In The Workplace
Vulnerability may be frowned upon, but it’s essential to embrace it if you want to build strong and lasting relationships.
In the workplace this might mean learning to take off your masks and being comfortable with sweating in front of others or letting go of any fear of appearing weak.
The book Getting Naked discusses how learning to accept moments like these can enable you to be seen as part of the team rather than a simple salesperson trying to push opinion products.
You focus on genuinely helping people and become transparent and credible which makes for stronger connections.
Of course, embracing vulnerability is not easy but ultimately this approach encourages deeper connection in relationships.
Overcoming The Fear Of Losing Clients: Putting Their Needs First And Confronting Risks
As a consultant, it’s important to put your clients’ needs first and to be aware of your own business second.
This means not focusing too much on fees and instead showcasing the value you offer.
By taking this approach and being humble yet confident in your abilities, you can easily impress any client.
Additionally, it’s best to be honest yet kind with your clients by recognizing their work and communicating your interest in helping them reach their goals.
Don’t shy away from discussing risky business moves either; if you can handle potential conflicts before they arise, then everyone will be pleased with the outcome.
Remember: focus more on looking after your customer’s needs than on protecting your own business interests.
If you do this correctly, there will be nothing for you to fear!
Embrace Your “Dumb” Questions And Suggestions: Don’t Be Afraid To Laugh At Yourself With Humor And Kindness
There’s no such thing as a dumb question or suggestion – you just need to know how to handle it.
Even in hospitals, where many people might be more familiar with medical terms than the average person, there are usually some attendees who don’t understand every word.
Therefore, rather than feel embarrassed about asking questions, embrace them and celebrate the mistakes you make.
Your question – or even your suggestion – might not be as dumb as you think.
Indeed, when all is said and done, everyone will remember the good ideas, while they may forget those they thought were daft initially.
So go ahead and offer suggestions that may appear crazy, but can create greater value for whoever listens to them.
And if your suggestion really is silly? Don’t take yourself too seriously – see it as an opportunity to demonstrate humility by able to joke about it or even offering to get lunch for everybody.
In this way, people will see that you’re not afraid of making a mistake and that it isn’t about saving face for you but bringing real solutions instead.
Overcoming The Fear Of Inferiority To Succeed In Business By Doing The Dirty Work
When it comes to serving your client, there is no task too small.
While you may be tempted to shy away from menial tasks like picking up coffee or setting out chairs out of fear of appearing inferior, the truth is that you must leave such pride aside if you are looking to build a relationship based on trust and dedication.
Embracing these simple tasks will not only show that you have a sense of loyalty to your clients, but it will also prove that you’re willing to take figurative bullets for them.
For instance, perhaps a conference was poorly organized and you stepped in and assumed responsibility- despite being unrelated- just so that your client would face minimal embarrassment.
Not only should we understand the importance of taking all requests with great enthusiasm, but we should also remember that we are being paid to serve our customers and help them out in any way possible.
Thus, don’t be afraid of facing the dirtier jobs because they might just be the ones that solidify how helpful and dependable you are.
Wrap Up
Getting Naked, a book by author Andrew Mayne, is all about the importance of vulnerability in life.
The key message of the book is clear: vulnerability should not be met with fear but instead be embraced as a strength that can help us to succeed.
Despite being intimidating, when we take off our figurative hats and open ourselves up to those around us, we come out on top.
In summary, Getting Naked gives readers an important lesson in taking off their metaphorical mask and allowing themselves to be vulnerable.
It reminds us that there is strength in showing our true selves and embracing all that makes us unique.
