Comments on: Confession time: I’m giving up on being a know-it-all

By: MR

MR — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:39:11 +0000

I totally agree with Lisa’s comment above about losing clients who aren’t right for you in the first place. Admitting we don’t know everything can be another strand in your “red velvet rope”: it can gently discourage people who *are* looking for perfection and attract people who embrace your honesty – and your humanity.

And really, don’t we prefer to do business with humans, not robots?

Thanks for an excellent post!

By: Cate Bolt

Cate Bolt — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:49:55 +0000

I love this post! I spent 10 years in my previous business feeling like a fraud. I never failed anyone but I did quite often give the sense that I did know what I was doing, when in fact I was making it up as I went along.

I wonder how much respect the greater community have for those who are honest enough to admit they don’t know everything though? Recently, in my new life, I have gone out in public and admitted I don’t know the first thing about what I’m trying to do, that I’m willing to learn, make mistakes and share them with the public as I go.

You do get a lot of “good on you!” comments, but I’ve also had my share of “why don’t you stick to what you know?!”s as well. My answer to that is quite simple. How does anyone learn or grow as a person, if they stick to what they know?

Life and business would be incredibly boring if we all just stuck to what we know. Only the very bravest actually admit what they don’t know!
Cate Bolt´s last blog ..Passing ‘Round the Hat..

By: Sarah Bray

Sarah Bray — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:44:56 +0000

Oh, thank you so much for this. SO much. I made a post today that bared my soul about something I’ve having difficulty finding the magic solution to, and pretty much freaked out as soon as I pushed “Publish”.

Yet…I think it could help more people than some of my other “how to do this” posts. So it was worth it. The panic sucked, but it was worth it.
Sarah Bray´s last blog ..Quick update: Referrals

By: Rebecca Leigh

Rebecca Leigh — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:55:07 +0000

Great point Louise – turning the focus to your client (or audience) and how you can help them means drawing on all available knowledge – what you know personally and what others in your network know too.

Ultimately, I believe clients value someone who they know will honestly serve them – and refer to others if necessary to get the best outcome. That is a valuable service in itself.

Hi Liz, yes I like doing business with humans too! Attracting clients who embrace honesty is great because it means you can both put aside any hang-ups or pretenses and get right into the important work of creating something wonderful.

Hey Barbara – nose out of mud – check! There’s never anything to be gained by making others feel small, especially in a situation where you want to earn their trust. Thanks!

By: Barbara Martin

Barbara Martin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:38:18 +0000

If you already knew it all then you would be a stick in the mud and not sure where your nose would be. (ahem) I’d rather someone who is actively learning and growing and improving and energetically focused than someone who feels it necessary to remind me how great they are and how much they know, who needs to aggrandize themself by making me feel small. :)
Barbara Martin´s last blog ..Wrecked Journal Goes Postal

By: Liz Grandmaison

Liz Grandmaison — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:17:07 +0000

And really, don’t we prefer to do business with humans, not robots?

Thanks for an excellent post!