Or rather, don’t.
Nothing is more “off-putting” that appearing to act above your audience and your peers. Acting important doesn’t make you important. Nor does showing the feeling that you are above those around you or the things you are responsible for.
My case in point is a recent set of appointments between myself and a prospective client. Now, understand that I am all in favor of being client-focused and ready to serve. However, I am not a servant. I don’t understand someone who needs a solution and puts off meeting about it. I am used to setting meetings within a few days of a conversation. I’m also used to working directly with a contact–especially in today’s digital age. Do people really need to take two to four weeks to set an appointment? And then only through an assistant who typically doesn’t respond to correspondence within the usual day time frame?
My second example is an important client who gently reminded me that I wasn’t paying close enough attention to them. They were right.
Then, of course, there is the CEO of BP, now off at a yacht race and after asking “for my life back.” Tony Hayward needs to understand his audience. All of them. He needs to realize the whole of the impact of this problem his company is responsible for–even philanthropic giving will ge down $300 to $600 million–and act accordingly.
The bottom line is be polite and know how to interact with your audience. Please don’t forget the polite part.
Relentless
