How to build up trust with clients by bringing your ‘silly-side’ into play
To appreciate originality in business as competence and credit
Paying attention to my ‘silly-side’ is one of my strategies to build up trust with clients. Activating your silly mindset give you the possibility to be truly responsive and connect with people on a much deeper level. Building up trust with your clients is the most important thing in your business.
One element in building trust is showing that silly-side of yours. When you do, you tap into your power source. Our silly side brings great qualities: we are able to release tensions, worries, uncertainty, scepticism and fear which prevent us from building up deeper connections. Instead, when we activate our silly power, it reduces our fear, opens our minds and puts us in a curious, powerful and excited state. These are all important attributes which go hand in hand with confidence, allowing us to build up a trusted connections.
Unfortunately, we tend to exclude “silliness” from work and seriousness is often equated with professionalism. Undoubtedly respectability is an important part of business life, but I see the equation of childish with incompetence as a misperception which deprives us of opportunities.
‘Build-In-Silliness’, interacting with your clients in your business routine, is a valuable investment in your customer, when used properly. Presenting your ‘silly-side’ in an appropriate way, without compromising on professionalism or competence, builds up trust, as you are willing to reveal something about yourself. You invest your personality in your business and if so, you resonate with your client; they will buy from you. Above all: People don’t buy what they need but what they want!
Taking a closer look at the factors that trigger your ‘silly-side’, is a great way to activate your power of self-confidence.
Step 1: Ask yourself the following questions:
- What type of people activate your silly side?
- Which situations allow you best to connect with your silly side?
- Which situations prevent you from being able to connect with your silly side?
- What type of people prevent you from reaching your silly mindset?
Step 2: Now ask:
- How can you actively create situations triggering your ‘silly-side’?
- What surrounding do you need that allows you to be silly?
- What do people have in common that lets you activate your ‘silly-side’?
- Is there a recurring pattern that you can recognise that is triggering your “silly side”?
You might be thinking, “Oh but I am not that kind of a loose person, I’m more of a serious type.” Maybe you think “Ok, I feel like getting silly when I see a playground, but I am not taking my client to a playground.”
Everybody has a side of themselves that lets them get loose; go and find that side of you. Give it some thought! And no, don’t take your client to the playground, just think about what factors make you activate your silly mind 🙂
Build up trust with clients by creating memorable meetings
As the first encounter with your client is often crucial, think of a funny story you can bring into play relating to your business. If you are unable to come up with an event relating to your business, maybe think of something funny that had just happened to you on the way, or this morning when you left the house, or yesterday when you had that phone call with your software engineer. Nonetheless, I am sure there is something you’ll find.
The more often you do this exercise, the more you train your brain to pick up on something a person is saying that might remind you of something funny. Be assured that your prospect client will leave the meeting with an inner smile, even if your product or service isn’t the right one for them, they will recommend you to others. You were able to connect and they will honour your openness, honesty and care.
Be bold, be honest, be yourself for that is what you will be rewarded for!
Be yourSelf-Leader!
Sincerely yours, Yvonne
