Does anyone know exactly what will happen at any given moment?
Sure, we all wish we knew the winning lottery numbers that will be called out, but we know that isn't realistic.
And while we have a better idea of how people or institutions might act based on our past experiences with them, do we ever honestly know what will happen if we don't ask?
Asking the question
Recently, I had a client who works as an insurance agent switch agencies. One of his new clients got into a terrible car wreck and needed a rental car.
Of course, he wanted to help however he could during this challenging time, so he asked precisely that. The client expressed concern that her rental car allotment was running out and wanted to see what the agent could do about it.
When my client considered his experience at his previous company, he knew they rarely gave extra time for this, no matter the circumstance. But his wife, one of our clients, challenged him to refrain from assuming what this company would say!
When the agent brought the situation to his new company's attention, he could advocate for his client due to her staying on top of her case and keeping excellent documentation. She got an extra two weeks allotted for her rental, effectively doubling her time and ensuring her car would be repaired before the rental ran out.
Providing value
Because he was challenged to ask the question, my client was able to provide tremendous value to his client during a tough time in her life. Think about what their relationship now means to his client versus what it would be if she had asked for help and my client could do nothing.
Because of his prior experiences, he believed he could not do anything! But when that belief was challenged, his behavior changed, and he got a new outcome that transformed what he knew he could do for his client!
So, how can you challenge the thinking of yourself and the team around you in hopes of better results for your business?
How can you bring new ideas and beliefs to your organization for a similar reason?