What's Worse Than Being Stupid?

Being stupid, unintelligent, or clueless is really bad. But one thing is worse:

Being a smart (even brilliant) person and thinking the people around you, whether they are your friends, family, co-workers, superiors or customers, are not as smart (or worthy) as you. Because you'll almost certainly be wrong.

And you'll almost certainly treat them with less respect than they deserve. And they'll sense it. And your brilliant, genius idea will die because those "less intelligent" people sensed something wasn't right.

Thinking you're smarter than you are is the dumbest thing you can do.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com
LaBov Sales Channel
PB&J Newsletter

"Looks Good"

How often do you send a document or elaborate, well-thought-out email to someone and get the reply:

Looks good

Which usually means:

I didn't look at it, don't want you to know that I didn't, and I frankly don't care about the topic.

Maybe the better response would be that you don't feel comfortable giving your opinion on a topic that you're not qualified on. Or better yet,

Read it, ponder it and respond with sincere feedback.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com
www.labovsaleschannel.com

I've Never Done That Before

OK, imagine this:

You walk into a world-renown heart surgeon's office and want him to fix your heart condition. He looks at you and says, "I've never done this before. Even though I've fixed thousands of people with your condition, I've never met you before and I've never operated on you. Sorry."

I assume you'd feel the way I would, which is, "Give me a break. You've done things similar to this, apply what you've learned to me and heal my heart!"

How often in our business lives do we do the same thing as that surgeon? A customer needs something and we're uncomfortable because we've never done that before.

It's very tempting to play the "I've never done that before" card, but it won't get you anywhere. There are too many changes going on in technology and our world in general, for us to shut down at the thought of tackling something new.

The more successful we are, the more we have to apply what we've learned elsewhere to the new or different things we're being asked to do.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com
LaBov Sales Channel
PB&J Newsletter