About 18 months ago, I told a potential client the truth about her business plan. It was an unwelcome reality.
Naturally, she found another coach, who painted a prettier picture for her. Unfortunately… it turned out that I was right.
Preferring kind words over harsh realities costs us dearly — but only every time.
You see, REALITY — when embraced — is what will CATAPULT your success.
I think that’s why Napoleon Hill listed “ACCURATE THINKING” as one of his ways to Think and Get Rich!
Anyway, this is just one example of truth telling. In this case, it cost me a client. But, it cost HER far far more.
With my clients, I am even MORE brutally honest. Those who prefer pretty pictures over truth tend to go elsewhere, and there are a plethora of coaches and consultants eager to accept their business on those terms.
I do not tell the truth to be harsh. I tell the truth to serve my clients… ONLY to serve them.
I’ve had to tell one client that her heavy accent — while beautiful — was costing her business when she conducted sales calls via the phone. In person, she’s understandable. Over the phone, the potential client would have to WORK TOO HARD to follow her. THAT was a tough conversation. But, you know what, she loved the truth. Because she’s a DO-er. She EMBRACED that truth. And, in fact, when she looked backwards, every sales conversation had in person landed her a gig, and those made by phone resulted in nada. She was over the moon with this “harsh reality.” NOW, she knew how to make more money!
Another client needed to realize that she was being taught to play small, by a previous coach who was busy looking “big” but ALSO — very much — playing small. Another had to embrace that she had burnt her list… and apologize. Both embraced the truth, and used it to CATAPULT their income.
NONE of these are conversations I look forward to having. Frankly, I dread them. I know coaches who believe that it is “NOT UP TO THEM” to discourage their client’s “DREAMS” in any way. And I get that.
But, if you see someone pouring water in their gas tank… and they keep asking you why their car won’t start, it’s just plain CRUEL not to tell them the truth. If you know better. And, frankly, it’s FAR MORE CRUEL to take their money as a coach and continue to encourage them in their present course of action.
Far.
More.
Cruel.
I tell the truth because it serves my clients. I have tough conversations — even though I hate them — because it builds trust between two people. I tell the truth because I need my clients to know that my ENCOURAGEMENT… my ATTAGIRLS… are as honest as my “tough love.” Because, let’s face it… when it’s all ATTAGIRLS… we know better.
What’s the hardest truth you’ve ever put to work for you?
