Edition 539 – Keep Asking Questions

When someone gives you advice, do you merely accept that advice on face value, or do you dig deeper?

Perhaps it depends on the person giving the advice. If you see them as an expert in their field, then maybe you listen to the advice, then implement it without questioning it.

I see that amongst small and family business owners all the time.

Most of them don’t ask questions.

Most of them don’t understand, and simply nod in agreement.

My guess is that, for the most part, it’s because they don’t want to look stupid in front of those giving the advice.

Here’s a tip for small and family business owners – ask more questions. Lots more.

If you don’t understand something, ask the person giving the advice to repeat it.

If you don’t understand it again, ask them to dumb it down.

Plain English.

No jargon.

So you can understand what it is.

In my line of work, I’m convinced, more than ever, that you can’t get business strategy right, if the numbers aren’t right.

To get the numbers right, you need to do one thing.

Educate the client.

Walk them through what they see, or actually can’t see, and need further clarity on.

Step by step.

Moment by moment.

Concept by concept.

Kindly. Respectfully. Gently. For most of them do want to learn. It’s just, they’ve never been afforded the comfort of an environment where they feel it is safe to ask questions, without being judged.

They do want to learn, because they want to be better. In business. As business owners.

Educate them.

Take them on a journey. To where you increase and improve their knowledge, so they achieve the goal of being “better”.

And when you do, two things happen.

Firstly, there’s a real joy when you see their lightbulb go off. Like they’ve cracked a code.
That what they’ve heard for years, now actually means something, and is not jumbled words.

Secondly, you can then talk to them on a slightly higher level about what’s happening in their business. So, you challenge yourself, by constantly wanting to lift your game, so you can lift theirs.

Educate them. It makes a massive difference to how they see themselves, and how their future will play out.

This Week’s Tip

“To better educate your clients, or your team, firstly, check your ego at the door.
That relaxes them to the point of feeling vulnerable enough to ask questions..”