Being Focussed and Present With Our Clients

Many of us have work days that are full of a great diversity of activity. We have a meeting, then we answer emails, then we have phone calls, then we have to produce a report, then we have a mentoring session with one of our staff, then we have to deal with the computer technician about the problem on your computer, then we have the receptionist wanting us to talk with an angry client on the phone...and in the midst of all that we have a client coming in for a 2 p.m. appointment.

Sound familiar?

We are prepared for the appointment with our client. We did that a few days ago. If we, however, go into that appointment with our client straight from the telephone call with the angry client, or the frustrating session with the computer technician, it is very doubtful we will perform optimally with our client. For example,

• we will not be as focussed as we could be;.
• we may not therefore tune into our client's real concerns;
• we may not listen as well, but rather be "slightly" distracted.

Before every consultation with a client, or even before an important phone call:

• We stop and still ourselves. Remove all the distractions of our day. Empty out our frustrations with whoever or whatever so we can take our whole self into this consultation with our client.
• Focus ourselves on why we are doing this. "I want to be everything I can be for this client. I want to be able to assist them in every possible way. I want to connect and engage with them so that I can better understand what they want from me....." Put your reasoning into your own words.
• Again slow our breathing down and become conscious of that.
• Keep breathing and repeating the words that release our tension and free us from distractions. Replace them with high energy and commitment to our client.
• After a few minutes get up and go into the appointment.

When people first do this, it may feel false. They may also find it very difficult to stop and be still and divest themselves of tension and distractions. They may feel they just want to get on with it.

If they stay with it and practice, however, they will find it really makes a difference.

Using The Power Within Ourselves to Empower Our Clients is Good Business.

This is not some kinky strategy. This is about becoming aware of the power we have within ourselves that so often we do not use to our advantage or our clients' advantage. It is actually a soft skill that when well-developed is good for business.

Often we have neglected it for so long that when we do tap into it again, it is, at first, hard work. When we continue to do it every day, it becomes an energising dynamic in our lives, ensuring success.