Are you finding it challenging to make traction in your relationships, despite applying every step of the sales or coaching process? 
Discover why forms and processes aren’t foolproof and why meeting others where they want to be met is imperative for success. 
Customer Example:
As a sales professional, you’ve likely encountered prospects who divert the conversation to topics outside your purview. Instead of dismissing their immediate needs, it’s crucial to establish trust and dependability by addressing their concerns. By meeting customers where they want to be met, even if it means temporarily deviating from your primary goal, you can add value and eventually guide them toward your product or service. I’ve personally witnessed how this approach builds long-lasting partnerships, sometimes by introducing them to a competitor if it best serves their needs. Remember, a respectful and adaptable approach pays off.
Employee/Co-Worker Example:
Managers, are you truly in tune with your employees’ needs? Surprisingly, studies show that there is often a significant gap between how managers perceive their relationships with employees and how employees perceive them. This calls for leaders to attune themselves to their workforce and for employees to communicate their needs effectively. Remember, the employment relationship is a two-way street of mutual accountability.
Expressing your goals and ensuring they are met is essential for a successful partnership.
To meet others where they want to be met, consider the following strategies:
1⃣ Ask, listen, and understand: Prioritize dialogue to gain insights into the other person’s priorities. Transparency and mutual goal-setting enable partnerships to flourish, even if it means temporarily setting aside personal agendas.
2⃣ Be flexible and patient: Relationships evolve, often leading to uncharted territory. Embrace unexpected twists and challenges with mutual respect and accountability. Adapting to change fosters fruitful partnerships.
3⃣ Address roadblocks promptly: Don’t allow issues or miscommunications to fester. Reach out directly to the other person through a phone call or face-to-face conversation to address concerns. Adapt as the target moves, ensuring alignment.
4⃣ Stay attuned and connected: Priorities shift over time, and milestones need reassessment. Maintain a clear understanding of the journey and mutually agreed-upon checkpoints. By remaining plugged into the other person’s interests, you can adapt relationships to changing conditions.
Remember, attempting to meet someone where they don’t want to be met often leads to limited success. Building successful relationships requires a delicate balance, but when both parties prioritize the connection, the probability of success increases.
With a respectful, transparent approach that adds value to others and a willingness to evolve over time, coupled with responsiveness, consistency, and accountability, you can maximize the potential of your relationships. 