A house needs a foundation. The human body needs a spine and the nervous system that it helps to protect. What does a powerful, successful person need?
I'm talking about something that, if you removed it, would cause the collapse of the thing around it that it supports.
For people who are (or who want to be) effective and results-producing, that foundation is integrity.
Integrity is the state of being whole, complete and perfect, with nothing missing.
That's a definition that sounds very much different from its actual primary implementation: "Do what you say you're going to do by when you said you'd do it."
Want to be really successful? Start paying attention to the way you move through life. Are you making promises and keeping them? Are you crisp and clear in your communication?
Do you say, "I'll meet you at your office at 2:00 this Thursday"? Or do you say something like "I'll probably be able to stop by sometime next week. I'll let you know"?
When people ask you to attend a function, do you say, "I'll be there" (or "I won't be able to make it, sorry") or "I'll try to make it"?
Do you say, "Sorry I'm late. Traffic was bad" (or do you not say anything at all or try to hide the fact that you're late)? Or do you acknowledge that you're late in front of everyone you impacted, and commit to being on time from that point forward?
Having a crisp, clear relationship with what you say will automatically create power, because people will rely on you for what you say. You will engender trust, you'll embody commitment, and your words will carry weight (or impact).
Stated otherwise, what you say will become a force in the world, and you'll command respect - not because you asked for it, but because it will happen automatically.
Integrity is the core of trust in relationships with clients and prospects. What you say must be accurate, clear and intentional; otherwise, you'll create room for them to wriggle out of their commitments and the things they've said. (Not that they won't anyway, but they'll be much less inclined to!)
Part of integrity is talking straight. You use language to create a world, so create a powerful one. Using language powerfully will also have people begin to relate to you as who you are, act consistently with who you are and honor and support you in the commitments you have. It will also have them "true up" to your values and principles because who you say you are is who you are, if you've shown them that they can count on that.
Integrity will have you leave your mark on the world, and in return the world will reach out to leave its mark on you - in the form of appreciative clients, more income and thriving relationships.
Next week: Promises, how to keep them and how to break them.
Send any questions, comments, stories, or sales problems to
dan@optimumbizdev.com, and I'll personally send you a response!
LAST WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What results did you accomplish by doing (or re-doing) your homework last week. Acknowledge yourself for that, and congratulations!
THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Watch what you say. Catch yourself "wimping out" with the way you create appointments and other commitments. Alter what you say so that it has a real impact on the world.
Please take a minute and let me know how you're doing out there. How have these tips been helping you?
