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As the senior executive was presenting to the class, a man at the very front table dozed off, head dropping to his chin. I watched in horror, hoping beyond hope he wouldn't start snoring. No one moved to nudge him. As the facilitator, I knew it was up to me to do something. It was only 20 minutes into the presenter's 90-minute slot, and anyone who's seen a participant catch a little shuteye mid-presentation knows how disconcerting it can be -- for presenters and audience alike.
Had the incident happened a few months ago, I probably would have shook his arm and given him a knowing look to let him know that sleeping during a senior executive's presentation was not acceptable.
That was before I had seen another facilitator handle the situation with a lot more grace and aplomb than my natural tendencies. In that situation the other facilitator went up to the sleeping participant, crouched down so she would be at eye level and whispered, "Are you feeling okay?"
Her action was following some of the best business advice I have ever had, "take the most generous interpretation in every situation. "While that may seem like a politically correct way of saying "don't jump to conclusions," the "most generous interpretation" approach takes that concept one step further because it forces you to think of a reasonable explanation for an unpleasant or difficult situation instead of focusing on the worst possible explanation.
Oh how I do love the worst possible explanation. It's not something that I am particularly proud of, but there you have it. I'm a natural conclusion jumper. It's not a very attractive trait in business and taking the most generous interpretation approach forces me to look at situations with a fresh perspective.
Over the years I have received and given a lot of business advice. Most of what I've heard and given has gone in one ear, and out the other. It is rare when someone shares an idea or concept that I want to own as my own, practice on a regular basis, and pass on to others because it might just make a difference to them as well.
I can only think of one other piece of advice that I have adopted with as much fervor and passion as "the most generous interpretation," and that is to let clients know how much you appreciate their business.
That advice was given after my agency had lost a bid for a contract. When we debriefed with the client over why we lost the bid, she said there was one reason, "the other company seemed like they wanted the business more than you did." That advice was given over 25 years ago. To this day it is a rare meeting when I don't share with my client how much I do appreciate the work. It's easy to say because it's the truth.
Showing my appreciation for work and taking the most generous interpretation makes me feel better about myself. It makes me feel more professional. It's the kind of person I want to be rather than the conclusion jumper and blasé consultant who thinks clients should be thanking them instead of the other way around.
When you ask people for the best business advice they've ever received, most people have a ready answer. It's something they have thought about and are almost eager to share the nugget that they believe has made a difference in their professional life.
It's just when they tell you their piece of advice, it often doesn't have quite the same impact on you. While you politely thank the advice giver, you are secretly thinking to yourself, "that's the best piece of advice you have to give?"
So here's a collection of best advice that business owners say they have gotten. Do any of these resonate with you?
From Lisa Konecny of Splendid Communications,
When I was feeling daunted by the “greats” that started in this business (in my area and beyond) I could literally sit paralyzed with fear and excuses. Then I heard, “When you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” It made me realize then and remember to this day that if it doesn’t make me nauseous, it’s probably not worth it
Helen Herman promises the best business advice you'll ever get is,
Do something.
Every day.
A successful business (and a happy life) is made up of both big and small actions taken every single day. The biggest killer of success and happiness is sitting around thinking about stuff,
