There’s that great Saturday Night Live Skit where Stuart Smalley gives his daily affirmation and says ‘I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!’ It’s a bit of psycho babble marketing that would make Dr. Phil proud, a last ditch effort at convincing himself he’s worth it moments before the inevitable emotional crack-up. Selling yourself to yourself.
I’ve been feeling a lot like Stuart Smalley the last 36 hours. Why? Because I fell prey to my own marketing hubris, and assumed I knew more than the client. The client knew better though, and for all practical purposes fired me.
Ouch. That’s going to leave a mark.
So I’ve been singing the Stuart Smalley mantra. More importantly, I for one will be a little more circumspect the next time I get frustrated with a client, or assume I’ve got considerably more know-how than the guy who writes the paychecks. Yeah, I’ve got a few interesting things to say for sure. Some decent insights. An occasional passing blip of almost genius. But where I could really be better is at listening, understanding, and seeing around corners so that my client doesn’t have to. Taking responsibility for and owning better client management. Making sure that enthusiasm is given rather than asked for.
I didn’t do that too well this time around. And I paid the price. Time to restock and reload.
Got any horror stories? When was the last time you mapped out your client’s needs?
