How are you feeling today?
What a difference a couple weeks can make, right?
Maybe you’re feeling great. Maybe you’re feeling a little tired. Or nervous about the commercial you’re going to give in front of 90 people a little later in this meeting. Maybe you’re excited about a new prospect you met or referral you’ve received, or a piece of business you just closed.
And of course we did just have an election last week. And though we all know that Elevate isn’t a political space, it is one of leadership, knowledge and growth. A practice ground to generate… to create business, first and foremost, and to cultivate and sharpen the skills that make that possible. We’re smart. And we pay attention.
Just like out in the world, in here our cross sectional political hue is likely in the purple range.
The difference here is that we’re not just colors, we’ve put in the reps to get to know each other as fully dimensional human beings. We are a real example of what’s possible.
And so back to those feelings I mentioned, and how they relate to what we’re up to here…
My clients will tell you that working with me means not navigating by feelings. Because they change like the weather. But feelings are also the very fabric of our humanity. And humanity is what we all share, where we all come together.
If we want to be better networkers, better business people, better leaders, even better human beings, we need to pay extra close attention to feelings. Those of others and those of ourselves. Especially now.
Remember, while the people we do business with will of course remember the key deal points and the elements that are promised and written down, they won’t remember every word we say. There’s too much data. But they will absolutely remember the way we made them feel. The heart doesn’t forget.
And the next time, whether they are drawn in and motivated to respond (and buy), or they are unmotivated — or worse, avoidant — will largely be a result of that emotional footprint we create and leave behind.
I’m sure we all have in our histories either a rough night of drinking a particular spirit, or finding ourselves on the wrong end of some bad take out, and getting food poisoning.
There are people in this world — maybe even on this meeting — that can’t get within ten feet of Rumple Minze or SoCo, and even just the mention of Jagermeister illicits a gag reflex. And how fast are you going to head back to the place that served you up those bad muscles? You’re not. Like… ever.
Yes, intellectually we understand what happened. But it’s the emotional imprint — the grooves in the records of our feelings that dictate future outcomes.
And for good reason. These are mechanisms that kept us safe. They’ve been around since the dawn of time, before humans stood up and walked on two legs. And they are still imprinted within us.
And the converse is also true, and can be leveraged in our favor. Awareness of where other people are in terms of their feelings, and showing up in a way that supports positive ones, will have you stand out from your competition.
Now more than ever, during a time when certain resources seem in short supply, and many people feel uncertain, and can be somewhat guarded or closed off to new possibilities, this higher level of awareness will foster connection, the finding of common ground, and the relationship building that will support you to really engage with your client, customer, or prospect.
Here’s to us — to each of us, and to capital U — the collective — US. To being sensitive and intelligent and aware enough to pay attention in the ways that make a real difference… in the ways that lead to good business.
