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My guess is that right about now, you could use some encouragement. Not meaningless cheerleading, but some well considered, well-timed, well-meaning “You’ve got this and here’s how I know…”
In fact, I’d be willing to bet that the next five people you encounter could use some meaningful encouragement too. No matter how confident people appear on the outside, chances are they could use some encouragement to bolster their insides.
The Powerful Encouragement of a “Stranger”
Shep Hyken , bestselling author, keynote speaker, and past president of the National Speakers Association (NSA) , was a stranger the day he offered me some best-in-class encouragement as I stepped off the stage at the International Customer Service Association conference. Now he’s a friend.
Sure I had done a lot of speaking before, but only to internal Verizon crowds or to my outsourced call centers where I was “the client.” This was different–no built in credibility. I wondered how my message would play outside the safety of my familiar world.
Shep smiled:
“Great job. When are you leaving Verizon to do this full time?”
“OMG Did I say that from the stage,” I cringed, worried I might have inadvertently let out the secret I had yet to admit to myself.
“No. But it’s obvious this is what’s next for you. Let me know how I can help. You should join the NSA. Call me when you’re ready to go and I’ll help.”
I did and he did.
“What advice do you have for how I can improve my speech?” I asked… and braced myself for the long list.
“Next time I’ll listen with that in mind. But for now, just never end with questions. Close powerfully and exit. If the client wants questions, exit and then come back.”
Powerful, simple advice. Thank goodness he refrained from the list of 37 things I now know I could have done better in that speech.
4 Ways to Provide Meaningful Encouragement
Winning Well leaders seek out opportunities to encourage.
Who in your life could use some encouraging support?