I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
Holy Hack, Batman
Has anyone ever asked you, "So, what's your superpower?"
Ugh.
Someone asked me that last week, and I realized how much I really hate that question.
Firstly, it implies that there's only one thing we each excel at, which, no, I don't buy that.
Even comic book superheroes have multiple powers.
Superman is bulletproof, has x-ray and heat vision, and can fly.
Secondly, as a way to get to know someone, it's pretty lame and lazy. I can't remember any time when someone has told me their superpower, and I've thought, wow, that's so cool.
And, I'm fairly certain the same is true when I've shared a superpower of mine, one of which is that I make complex ideas and concepts easy to understand and apply.
(Groan. Yawn. Next.)
But, when I was asked that question last week, I did something a little different.
I let a recent testimonial do the talking for me.
I said something like, "I recently gave a presentation at New York Public Library's Business Center on pricing, and this is the feedback I received: 'Thank you for sharing so much knowledge with our audience in a way that's easy to understand and act upon. You are a rock star and a really gifted presenter!'"
The woman I was speaking to, a seasoned business coach and consultant and someone I admire, lit up. I mean, actually lit up. It really surprised me.
And then she said, "Wow. I'd love to connect you to some folks that create events for entrepreneurs. Is that something you'd be interested in?"
Uh, heck yeah!
I know I've talked about the power of storytelling and the power of feedback before, but this just blew me away.
Honestly, I'm still thinking about it and trying to figure out how I can apply this tactic in response to other tried and true networking questions.
And, if you use this approach in your upcoming meet and greets, I hope you'll share the results with me because we're all learning and growing and improving, and I'm curious to know if it's one of those little hacks that's endlessly useful and impactful.
P.S. In case you missed it, last week was all about Trash Talk.
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Easily Said & Done
I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
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