The Taming Of The Shoe

I’m sure you’ve all got examples of unsavory experiences with prospects. Examples where you’ve left a meeting feeling deflated. Where your confidence has taken a blow. Maybe you’ve even left shaking your head thinking “what the hell was that all about?”

I remember one such time. It was the first meeting with a prospect who we considered to be a potential partner – There was an opportunity to do a lot of business together.

I was with a colleague who was new to the industry and the role. The meeting couldn’t have been more bizarre. Basically the guy launched into a tirade of self promotion and negative assumptions of our industry. He knew what he was doing – he didn’t need us. Then it came – unbelievably he dropped the “C-Bomb”. He’d never met us before! My female colleague and I sat there in disbelief….

 

Fast forward five or so years and the phone rings.

Long story short – it was Mr C-Bomb. The shoe was on the other foot this time. He needed my help. Funny how the universe works.

I reminded him of the event and without me prompting, he went very quiet, clearly embarrassed and left my world for a second time.

 

The point is – it’s a very small world – very small. 6 degrees of separation and all that.

It’s pretty simple – Treat other people how you’d like to be treated yourself. You never know when your paths might cross again…