We all know the adage, "This is the way my my father did it, and how his father did it, it worked for them and so it can't be wrong!" If you are in sales or as an entrepreneurially minded person trying to introduce new technology or processes to the market, you will understand this thought process and frustration.
It can be difficult and sometimes seem impossible to get your prospective clients, staff and colleagues to see things in a different light or from another perspective. As I have just said, it is all about the perspective and point of view that you hold. It is not that you are wrong or right, but you need to acknowledge that it is different to that of the other person.
I still remember an example given to me by a colleague at a critical time during an acquisition period of a company. He said to me that if you and I were standing at different places next to the same elephant, right up close to the elephant and asked to describe it, the likelihood is that we would not deliver the same description of the same elephant.
Here are a few points to consider when dealing with parties that may not share your same perspective or opinions;
1. Take a breath and remember that unless the other person is intentionally trying to be detrimental to achieving the same goal, that they are not personally trying to be difficult.
2. Ask what the other person sees and understand their view and perspective.
3. Don't be in such a haste and rush to get the deal or transaction completed. We live in a culture and time that no one waits for the right opportunities, but settles for what they can get now.
4. Help the person to take a step back from the elephant in the room and see the bigger, fuller picture!
We all believe that we are right and are most likely ignorant to other opportunities and choices, so in the same way that we hope that other be open to our ideas, thoughts and direction, we too need to be open to listening and considering their input, after all you might learn something new!
It can be difficult and sometimes seem impossible to get your prospective clients, staff and colleagues to see things in a different light or from another perspective. As I have just said, it is all about the perspective and point of view that you hold. It is not that you are wrong or right, but you need to acknowledge that it is different to that of the other person.
I still remember an example given to me by a colleague at a critical time during an acquisition period of a company. He said to me that if you and I were standing at different places next to the same elephant, right up close to the elephant and asked to describe it, the likelihood is that we would not deliver the same description of the same elephant.
Here are a few points to consider when dealing with parties that may not share your same perspective or opinions;
1. Take a breath and remember that unless the other person is intentionally trying to be detrimental to achieving the same goal, that they are not personally trying to be difficult.
2. Ask what the other person sees and understand their view and perspective.
3. Don't be in such a haste and rush to get the deal or transaction completed. We live in a culture and time that no one waits for the right opportunities, but settles for what they can get now.
4. Help the person to take a step back from the elephant in the room and see the bigger, fuller picture!
We all believe that we are right and are most likely ignorant to other opportunities and choices, so in the same way that we hope that other be open to our ideas, thoughts and direction, we too need to be open to listening and considering their input, after all you might learn something new!
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