Hey everybody. Charlie Hauck back here again with another Fast Tip Friday for you.
This is a topic—look, I could talk and share information or thoughts about this. We could do a Fast Tip Friday, a Fast Tip Saturday, a Fast Tip Sunday if I just got on a roll, but I promise to keep it short.
So here we are today, talking about communication.
Are you sure that the other person heard what you said the way you intended for them to hear it? Communication isn't just talking to someone and then walking away believing that they got your message the way you intended.
What I want to remind you all is: you better make sure. You better check all the boxes. Ask all the right questions about: are we on the same page? Did we both hear what we wanted to hear? Did we both agree to the next steps? Are we both in sync on the timeline of those next steps? Do we both know what the mutually acceptable commitment is that we made to each other?
You've got to be willing to ask more questions at the end of the process than most people are typically willing to do. It can be the make-or-break discipline or practice that will keep you from being way excited and equally way disappointed when you think you heard, “We're definitely going to do this deal with you,” and they're saying, “We're definitely thinking about doing this deal with you.”
You're going to be the one that's more predictably successful if you'll ask people to repeat back—just to make sure you're not confused. “Can I ask you to tell me what you think we agreed to, when it's going to happen, and who's going to do what between now and then?”
Don't let your fear of people saying, “I thought we had that all figured out,” stop you. Don't be afraid to ask the toughest question at the most important moment, which is before you walk out the door.
Communication not equally understood, equally committed to, is not effective communication. It's more an indicator of a willingness not to do the extra that takes you from good to great to even outrageously successful.
It's the little minutes, the little moments, and the big questions that make all the difference.
Tighten up your communication, eliminate your frustration, and enjoy more business celebration. Take care, have a great Friday, a great weekend, and communicate like your life depends upon it.
I'm out.
