When it comes to being thoughtful about gifts, I’m about a 2 or 3 on the list of ten. For some reason, my mind goes blank in this category when it comes to my family, partners, and friends.

I have an attitude of gratitude all the time. I suck at conveying it well. So I’ve been on a mission lately to change that.

Which lead me to have a sit down with a lady that specialized in crafts that would help me to convey these things.

I mean who better to learn from than from someone that works for a company that is built on gratitude and creating an unforgettable experience. Right?

So we met up at a Starbucks.

The first thing I saw when we sat down was an order form for the product on the table. Next, we talked for about 20 seconds and then the lady went into full ROCKET LAUNCH mode.

Blastoff! She was off to the races asking me how much business I do and how my friends and family could use the product.

It wasn’t long before her rocket started to come out of the atmosphere, and she was ready to land on the moon with a sale.

Now take in mind I knew the story of this company. I knew that I could get the things online with the company without dealing with her.

But that’s not what I was looking for. I was looking to build a relationship. I like working with people. I like it, even more, when they are great people and do things right.

But this was not one of those times. This lady didn’t take one minute to understand me or what I was looking for. She never told her story and never even tried to connect.

Matter of fact, after I told her I wasn’t buying anything when she tried a strong arm close. She started to pack her stuff up as I was talking to her. Acting as if she had another appointment with some other dumb customer that would buy something from her.

I couldn’t believe what was going on. But then, yes I could. It’s 99% of what’s taught in the industry. Sell, sell, sell.

Very few teach the art of getting to know people and what they want. As Zig Zigler once said, “If you help everyone else get what they want, you, in turn, will get what you want.”

Getting to know people quickly isn’t always the easiest in my line of work.

Recently I met a potential partner at an open house. She told me she would be looking to buy in the next 3 months. I sent a list of homes to her after that.

The next day she called me and told me she found the perfect house. She also told me she was using her own bank. In which I said “ok but forewarned that going that route is always slower and can present problems.“

Which it did when we went to make an offer on the house. Their lender said it would take 60 days to close. Which is 30 days longer your average mortgage lender.

This was going to kill the deal. Sellers don’t need to wait 60 days in this market. So I suggested my lender Liz to them again.

I had a sense though that they felt I was pushing something on them. Because before the offer could be accepted they backed out of the deal and I haven’t heard from them again.

I know this all happened because I was never able to get to know them. In turn, they never got to know me and why I kept recommending people that know my value-driven process.

This industry is full of people who don’t do their job and let people down. Just ask Richard and Gerry who came to me with the lender that failed them. 

We saved the deal for them, but this is a prime example of why I only work with certain people in the industry.

It’s my job to protect my clients. I know the pitfalls of the business.

But if they don’t know me and I don’t know them, how can I convey that? 

That’s why I write all the time. 

I hate feeling this way with people. It drives me crazy that people don’t know my true intentions and what I stand for. I want you to know what I stand for.

That way you can decide if it’s a true fit for you. Because it is you who I serve and that’s what matters most.

Nobody cares about what you have for sale. 

I have learned that connection is what matters most. That way we hear each other’s stories and see if it’s a fit. 

That’s something I’ll never have shame in.

Have a great week. Unshackle your chains.

Chad

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