How To Eat Humble Pie
Have you ever made a mistake in business? Perhaps something silly that has a consequence to your client …
How do you admit the error to your client and still come out looking good in their eyes?
I recently received a phone call from a business associate and good friend – let’s call him ‘John’. He is a Financial Planner, intelligent, very good at his job, very conscientious and caring.
“Linda, I need your advice … I have done something really stupid” he says.
John had met with new clients, several days before, for their initial Financial Planning session. This session lasted 2-3 hours, mountains of important information is gathered which allows John to start creating their Financial Road Map.
“The file is lost!” John says. “I have turned the office upside down; I have checked with every planner in the company; searched my car, the bins, everywhere …
3 hours of work and important information is missing and I can’t progress work for the clients without it. What should I do?”
It was time for John to learn how to eat Humble Pie …
HOW TO EAT HUMBLE PIE
Act Promptly
The sooner you take action the better your clients will receive the news. It is tempting to wait in the hope the problem will magically disappear … 9 times out of 10 it doesn’t!
Be Honest
Mistakes happen to everyone. Be totally honest with your clients about what has happened and the consequence. Honesty breeds respect.
Have a Plan
Have a plan to rectify the mistake before you speak to your clients. It affirms your professional integrity and helps them feel they are being looked after.
Add Value
This is a great time to offer a service or product to your client that provides added value.
You made a mistake; there is some cost or consequence for your client. Adding value is a sign of acknowledging the inconvenience caused for your client.
Be Gracious
Your client may be upset initially about the mistake. That is understandable …
Accept their reactions graciously – they will pass.
So John went back to his new clients and ate Humble Pie. The new clients were very understanding and scheduled a time to redo the 3 hours of work.
By eating Humble Pie John had shown his clients he was honest and committed to doing a great job for them. John learnt that eating Humble Pie was not as hard as he expected it to be.
48 hours later the file reappeared – the work didn’t have to be redone after all!
Funny how the world works …
Linda Anderson is a Certified Professional Coach dedicated to helping people live bold and rewarding lives. Linda has an energetic and direct style of coaching which suits people who like to be challenged. She currently works with clients in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines,
South Korea, Japan and USA.
Linda writes a free weekly e-newsletter called ‘a2a Inspirations’.
Find out more about Linda: http://www.a2acoaching.com
Tags: 9 times out of 10, acknowledging, business associate, conscientious, consequence, financial planner, financial road, good friend, graciously, honest mistakes, humble pie, important information, inconvenience, lost john, made a mistake, magically, professional integrity, progress work, rectify, road map