I realized the other day that I have a tendency to “label” customers, clients, and vendors in my work and business—there are troublemakers, well-behaved ones, and colicky folks—just to share a few of my labels. I also realized that I have a tendency to label them pretty early on and expect them to stay true to form for the duration—not exactly the best way to go about things if I want to nurture relationships and cultivate contacts!
I guess that I would NOT want to be labeled as a troublemaker or an idiot all because of one interaction. How could it not influence how I respond and react to a person if I have already labeled them as good, bad, troublesome, or difficult? I imagine it is like parenting, we are taught to respond and label our children’s behavior (and even to be careful about this) and not to label the child or tell them they are bad because of their behavior. I know this seems to be contradictory to the plague of labels dished out by schools and other child development professionals these days, but we know that labels are not always appropriate or helpful. And, when it comes to my business operations, I cannot help but wonder if the labeling of individuals by me is holding me back?
So, I am making a vow that no matter how big of a troublemaker someone is; no matter how aggravated I get or how colicky I think they are, I am NOT going to label them. Well, I’m going to try not to label the, or if I DO give them a label, then I am going to try to let it go as soon as I end the conversation. After all, once a troublemaker does not have to mean ALWAYS a troublemaker…
Also: Temper Passion with Practicality
Getting Your Customers to Talk to You