June 23, 2009
It has been said that everything we need to know in life we learned in kindergarten. I am not sure if I completely agree with that, but there is one skill we have all been taught since kindergarten that is extremely beneficial to one’s professional life. This is the ability to work well with others as part of a team. The best team members can recognize the interaction preferences of their coworkers and adapt their personal style to better connect with them. Taking the time to notice characteristics about one’s coworkers divides good team members from the extraordinary.
It is important when first meeting someone to take the time to feel out their interaction style. Are they introverted or extroverted? Do they tend to look at the big picture or have an eye for detail? Are they creative or a more logical thinker? It is important to not rely on your first impression of a coworker. Continue to follow up with them to establish their true interaction style. If one approach isn’t successful, take the time to revaluate and try something different. It is always a challenge to relate to those who are most opposite from us, but individuals who are able to do so will be the most successful.
I have always been more introverted than extroverted. Growing up I was always intimidated by people who were more extroverted than me. I knew I could never relate to them by being loud, spontaneous and outgoing, that just isn’t me, but I could find common ground in other ways. At work I stood out to my bosses through the quality of my work, my organization skills and my responsible nature. With my friends and peers I stood out by being reliable and a great listener. Through these efforts I found ways to relate to the people I thought were so intimidating, and I could still be myself!
For those who are unsure of their own interaction style, there are many businesses that offer personality assessments. One that I have consulted myself is NextWork’s DISC Assessment. NextWork’s DISC Assessment divides people into four different personality types, the Dominate director, the Interactive socializer, the Steady relater, and the Cautious thinker. Once participants know their interaction preferences, DISC teaches them to recognize the interaction style of others. They also give great tips on how to adapt one’s style to better connect others.
To read more about DISC Assessment and to find your interaction style click on the following link: http://www.bizsandiego.com/index.php?option=com_mamblog&Itemid=1&task=show&action=view&id=1411&Itemid=1&utm_campaign
By: Ashley Margo, ashley@boltpr.com
June 8, 2009
We all pitch. We are all tasked with making a case for what we want in life, whether it’s closing a deal, earning a promotion, garnering a referral, landing a deal on that new car, or in our case at Bolt PR, pitching a journalist on why our client warrants a front-page feature.
It’s important to recognize there are two key obstacles that we all face when it comes to pitching: our fear of rejection and the other person’s fear of making a mistake.
Let’s look at this from a practical standpoint: a car buying transaction. Some individuals are afraid to lowball because they don’t want their offer to be rejected or they don’t want to be embarrassed by what they are able or willing to pay. On the flipside, the car salesman likely fears that he will make an offer that, in the end, is even lower than what an individual may have actually been willing to pay for the car.
The key to a successful pitch to get exactly what you want is to (a) get over any fear of rejection. It happens to everyone. At some point, everyone is rejected in some capacity. But what separates successful pitchers from unsuccessful pitchers is the ability to pick ourselves up and go on to our next pitch. Sounds simple, and if you value who you are and what you have to offer, then it really is that simple. And the other key to a successful pitch is (b) the ability to demonstrate to the other person that they are not making a mistake by accepting your pitch. This is the more challenging part of the equation, but if you just put yourself in the other person’s shoes, this is an obstacle that becomes easier to overcome. Prior to any pitch, think of all of the possible reservations your pitch recipient could have and evaluate how you can accurately, ethically and with the utmost confidence diminish their concerns.
Most importantly, go into every pitch with the absolute best intentions. Integrity isn’t just one thing; it’s everything. Know that the most successful pitch is one that creates mutually beneficial relationships.
- Caroline Callaway, caroline@boltpr.com
