Trust and Verify Strategies for Career Development

Well.. now what? Ever get ghosted by a potential client, then notice their "Open to Work" status on LinkedIn? It's a scenario many of us face, but it also presents a unique opportunity to transform silence into a meaningful connection. Be a Bridge, Not Just a Salesperson When you see a new connection signaling their job search, it's an invitation to shift gears from selling to supporting. Here's how you can leverage this moment to build trust and forge a stronger relationship: 1. Offer Resources: Share articles, webinars, or workshops that align with their industry and interests. It's about adding value beyond your immediate sales goals. 2. Make Connections: If you know companies or contacts looking for talents that match their profile, don't hesitate to make introductions. Your effort to support their career can turn a cold lead into a warm relationship. 3. Personalize Your Approach: Customize your message to acknowledge their current status and offer your support. A personalized approach shows genuine interest and empathy. 4. Stay Patient and Positive: Rebuilding a connection might take time. Stay patient, and keep your interactions positive and supportive. Your persistence, coupled with a non-intrusive approach, can make all the difference. 5. Be a Consultant, Not Just a Contact: Position yourself as an industry consultant who's there to help, not just a salesperson looking to close a deal. This mindset shift can transform the nature of your relationship. Why This Works Building relationships based on trust and mutual support is a cornerstone of long-term success in sales. When you invest in people, not just prospects, you cultivate a network that sees you as a valuable resource, not just a vendor. This approach not only enhances your professional reputation but also opens doors to opportunities that go beyond immediate sales, fostering a community where support and success go hand in hand. In a world where connections matter, be the link that others count on. Your willingness to support them during their time of need can lay the foundation for a lasting professional relationship. #Networking #SalesStrategy #BuildTrust #OpenToWork #BeASupportSystem.

The biggest mistake early-mid career professionals make when trying to influence without authority is doing so without building credibility first. Here's two ways to build credibility: The unspoken question everyone is thinking: "Why should I listen to you?" To earn influence and trust, start here: 1/ Build relationships early and know the other person’s goals. If you have trouble understanding why someone insists on certain things, figure out the root cause. Where is it coming from? What are their goals? Are they trying to get promoted? Many teams fail because they never had a proper kickoff. Instead, they jump straight into “You do X, you do Y” without understanding the bigger picture, how goals are aligned, and the people involved. 2/ Do not assume...ASK! Flex your learn and be curious muscle with questions: --How can I support you? --Where do you see your career going? --Are you excited about your trajectory here? --Where do you see this project going? --What are your OKRs and how can I help you achieve your goals while I achieve mine? Build goodwill and understanding first before you try to influence.

Trust is hugely underrated in career growth. 📈 When people trust you, they advocate for you and invite you onto promotion-worthy projects. Here are a few practical ways you can build trust: 🤝 Focus on your work and crush it. It's easy to try to tackle the world or get side-tracked with side projects. 🤝 Make sure people know you crushed it! I will never stop being an advocate for SELF-PROMOTION. Don't expect other people to notice—or to shout you out! That would be awesome (and let's please do that for our colleagues), but YOU are responsible for making sure people are aware of your great work. 🤝 Positively contribute to company culture. I tell my college students, "No one will hire you because you're great at building culture, but they will retain you and promote you for it." Be good at your job, but also be good at influencing, encouraging, and building teams. 🤝 Proactively share updates about your work. I call this "communicating confidence." My former fractional CMO Jeff Loeb calls it "demonstrating you have two hands on the steering wheel." If you're not updating your boss on how things are progressing, what you've achieved, etc., that is low-key decreasing trust. No communication often comes across as no movement. 🤷♀️ Any other ways you've built trust with your leadership & other teams? Share away, friends! 👇 #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerGrowth

Solving a technical problem to close the deal is not enough. You must also: - Know how to uncover and connect to the prospect’s perception of value. - Understand your prospect’s problems about achieving the business goals of the organization. - Help identify the problems that are worth solving — even if the prospect does not know at the outset which are the real problems. - Understand their personal value in addition to quantifiable business benefit. - Collaboratively develop a solution you are uniquely able to deliver – through solving unique problems your competitors can’t. - Work together to develop a mutually agreed upon plan for execution and the realization of value in helping to achieve the business goals and imperatives. This process creates the foundation for trust. In order to build credibility, add value, consult, and sell your products and services you should also ask yourself: - If you’re assigned a specific industry, are you well-versed in its current issues? - Can you engage in a conversation around those issues and add perspective and insight to anyone in the industry? - Are you reading what your customers and prospects are potentially reading online, in trade magazines, and industry websites? - Are you current and knowledgeable on the issues facing the decision-makers you are calling on? - If you’re seeking new business opportunities, are you researching what company data is available in the public domain? - Do you understand the company’s goals and objectives? Can you predict where the likely struggle may be for the organization? - Do you have all of the information you need to prepare for an engaging conversation where you can contribute perspectives, insights and ask thoughtful questions? - Are you engaging with the prospect online? Demonstrating your expertise not just for a specific problem, but their industry as a whole? You need to connect to your prospects on a deeper level. This is how you set yourself apart from the crowd. Focus on credibility and you’ll close more business. What else would you add here? P.S. - Get some value? Follow me for daily posts.

Leaders, let’s start this Tuesday with a commitment to fostering Trust within our organizations. As recent trends indicate, trust is not just an emotional asset; it's a foundational element of successful leadership. It has been my experience and observation that transparent communication and accountability are pivotal in nurturing trust. Similarly, the importance of consistent positive interactions and empowering employees through delegation are keys to building trust. The authority transferred to junior Sailors by delegating duties and responsibilities used to be a staple of identifying leadership potential and measuring their preparedness for greater levels of accountability. Here are three ways we can generate and maintain trust in our organizations: 1. Emphasize Transparent Communication: Ensure that every message, whether good or bad, is communicated clearly and openly. Transparency not only builds trust but also helps in aligning your team’s expectations with the organization’s goals. 2. Empower Through Delegation: Trust your team with responsibilities. Delegation is not just about distributing tasks; it's about showing trust in your employees' abilities to handle important roles, which in turn boosts their confidence and commitment to the organization. 3. Consistent Recognition and Feedback: Regularly acknowledge the contributions of your team and provide constructive feedback. This recognition fosters an environment of mutual respect and trust, which is essential for any thriving workplace. Leaders, I encourage you to share your experiences. What strategies have you implemented to build trust within your team? Let’s exchange ideas and continue to grow together! #Trust #BuildingResilience #LeadershipDevelopment #KempSolutions

Would you rather be extremely trusted or exceptionally talented? For the longest time, I thought that being the best at any given thing would be the greatest ticket to success But it turns out that for most of us, likeability and trust are even more important This only increases as you move upward in your career. Within marketing, I would argue is an even more important factor. The challenge in marketing is that many people assume they understand it, which leads to skepticism toward new initiatives, even when they're beneficial As you progress professionally, it's essential not only to excel in your skills but also to cultivate trust; without it, achieving your goals becomes significantly more challenging. How do you build said trust? 1. 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: It's vital to go beyond just work-related interactions. Forming genuine human connections can greatly enhance trust. One tactic could be to have more face-to-face interactions, which are becoming increasingly rare in the era of remote work. 2. 𝗕𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: Make it a priority to follow through on your commitments. Consistently delivering on what you promise reinforces your reliability. 3. 𝗕𝗲 𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳: I took it personally when people ask me to clarify initiatives. Even now, a big chunk of the work is defending our initiatives. Now I plan for it as a part of day-to-day. Talent, while important, is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Trust plays a pivotal role in the equation. Are you actively working on building trust?