In a Facebook post, a woman asked her network how she could make just someone’s first name a live link instead of their whole name. Several people responded with the answer right away. (After it’s filled in, just delete the last name; the link will stay live). What I found interesting is how many people responded about how glad they were that someone had asked because they had been wondering the same thing.
The woman who posted, said “I must admit that I felt a little stupid asking, but my need to know usually overtakes my need to look cool.”
How many times have you needed information for your business, but not asked because you were afraid you’d look stupid? I have a feeling that there are quite a few of you out there, so I want to offer these 7 tips to help you see why that attitude isn’t serving you:
1. We don’t know what we don’t know — No one goes into business knowing how to go into business. We have our skill set that we’re good at, but when it comes to all that other stuff, we’re driving blind. How’s that working for you? There’s a perception that if we let anyone know that we don’t know everything, it will compromise our credibility and no one will want to do business with us. Here’s the thing. No one cares about what you do or do not know. All they care about is if you have the solution for their problem.
2. Surround yourself with experts — The greatest leaders are not great because they have all the answers, but because they know how to ask the right questions. Surround yourself with people you trust who have your back and ask them to teach you what you don’t know.
3. Don’t sweat the small stuff — If you do or say something stupid, will anyone remember a year from now? Probably not. As long as you’re providing good value and unsurpassed customer service, that’s all anyone really cares about.
4. Don’t focus on you — Focus on your results. They’ll speak volumes.
5. Be vulnerable – This may sound counter-intuitive, but I don’t mean this in the sense of being weak or everyone’s doormat. I mean being so grounded in what your business stands for that you will not compromise. Dr. Brené Brown, author of Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead says vulnerability is about being all in. “It’s a willingness to show up, be seen and take chances,” she says.
6. Be grateful — Consider yourself blessed that there are so many resources available for whatever you want to learn more about. It will only make your business better.
7. Pay it forward — Small business owners often feel like they are on an island all by themselves, but that’s not true. We all have a gift — something that we are good at — that we can share with others.
When you reach out to another business owner and offer to help, you’ll see why so many are willing to help you. Because it feels so good.