Offer Something, When You Believe It’s Good Enough
Only when you believe it’s good enough. Are you ready to offer something? Do you have the skills, have you completed the homework, and is your audience ready?
It’s true for the emerging leader and it’s true for the entrepreneur. Is there truth in it for your audience?
In the workplace your audience might be your boss or peers, it could even be your direct reports. Are they buying what you’re selling?
A shove to the face that you are doing good work doesn’t typically go over so well.
In fact, it may be counter-productive to your success. Saying that you’re doing good work in the hope of gaining buy-in might work, but it is much more powerful when they see it for themselves.
Customers are skeptical. They’ve been sold a wrongful bill of goods before and they’ve often vowed to not get taken advantage of again. If you’re proving yourself, more will likely join in. If you’ve overextended your reach and your attempts to tap into a bigger market fall flat, they may not see the value, yet.
Maslow insisted on the importance of self-actualization in his hierarchy of needs model. What is true for the individual may not be realized by your audience, your tribe, or your co-workers, yet.
Offer Something
It starts with the offer. The offer to help, to guide, or to illustrate.
It should be generous, kind, and delivered with empathy.
Is your market ready? Have you proven yourself? Do you have testimonials, cheerleaders, and sponsors?
When you believe what you offer is good enough, the selling part has just begun. Authenticity will matter, it can make or break the deal.
Feedback will also be important because without it you’re standing still. You’re either stopped or stalled. Almost nothing is the same tomorrow as it will be today.
Some things get a little better with time. Only to decline once beyond the peak. Fresh fruit is a great metaphorical example. Perhaps an analogy of your expertise.
When you offer something, not everyone is always ready, including you.
When you are willing to be persistent with your offer, accept honest feedback, and commit to the continued pursuit of delivery you’ll find your audience and your market.
What isn’t working today just hasn’t developed enough.
Yet.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
