This blog is a brutally honest but important public service announcement for service providers, coaches and consultants.
Businesses that LAST know how to SURVIVE and THRIVE. And if you sell any kind of coaching, consulting or services, there is ONE THING that will impact your “survive and thrive” factor more than almost anything else:
WHO you work with.
If you have been in business long enough, you learn the necessity of systematically weeding out “everyday villains” from your ecosystem.
Yes, I said “everyday villains”. Some people call them “non-ideal clients” — but I don’t love that term because it suggests that “non-ideal clients” are harmless.
Non-ideal clients are NOT harmless. They may be perfectly great as human beings but to your business they are TOXIC. Therefore, it’s helpful to think of them as “everyday villains”.
Seasoned entrepreneurs who are respected in their industries have learned this and I want you to learn it too…
The MOMENT you see the telltale signs of an everyday villain you must channel your inner Gandalf and say — with kindness, humility, and respect, natch:
THOU SHALL NOT PASS.
One category of everyday villain is the Validation Vampire.
These are the folks who hire your company for advice but prior to actioning anything, must first subject all your advice past a diverse committee that includes but is not limited to: their spouse, family members, best friend from high school, BNI group, spiritual mentor, accountability partners etc.
They will then want to waste your time “debriefing” the results of their pointless validation exercises to come up with another solution that will then be similarly tarred and feathered by their “critical thinking partners.”
Then, after delaying actioning anything for as long as possible, they will wonder why a) they aren’t getting results, b) they aren’t respected as “leaders” in their industry.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.
Finally, in a rare demonstration of backbone, the Validation Vampire will re-summon their Opinions Committee and ask for their support in blaming YOU for their lack of results. And in this one predictable instance, their Opinions Committee will offer their unanimous support…because the one thing Validation Vampires consistently “action” is surrounding themselves with Validators.
To be clear: Validation Vampires may be perfectly lovely people in society. But in your business? They waste your time, sap your life force and distract you from the classy clients who are committed to taking action, getting results, and moving the hell on with their lives.
Guess what? Learning how to recognize and deter everyday villains…and carefully crafting a distinct “business universe” that: a) appeals to high-value clients who do the work, get results and elevate your reputation and b) REPELS the Validation Vampires who are looking for their next scapegoat…
Requires a unique blend of sales strategy, unapologetic thought leadership, and straight-up CEO badassery. It’s called the Power of Repulsion and honestly — it’s way, way more powerful than 80% of the creampuff attraction techniques that abound.
I’m leading focused trainings on the 3 Laws of Lucrative Repulsion ONLY for my paying clients throughout August so if you want in, the deadline to apply to join us is well nigh. Apply here to work with me if you are the type who can make a decision without needing to consult 8 people first.
Want More?
- Book a Debrief call with my team. We are very good at pinpointing the ONE THING that will drive the lion’s share of your growth.
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- Listen to Podcast Episode 455: Disqualify Selling