How many times do you need to see something happen before you assume a trend?
What does it take to convince you?
How many times does your team member have to get it right before you know they’re trustworthy?
Strange though it may sound most of us have a fairly consistent number of times something has to happen for us to be convinced. It doesn’t seem to matter about the context. This is helpful information to know, both about you and about the members of your team. If you are a trainer you’ll already know that saying it once is often not enough – but when is enough enough?
You:
Stop now and answer this simple question: How many times will you check on something to be assured that all is happening to your satisfaction? For some, checking once is enough. For others it can be many times, if they are ever really satisfied. For me it’s three times*. If it takes three times for me to know something then it’s well worth sharing that with the people I work closely with. They no longer get frustrated with me when I ask more than once. In fact occasionally my close colleagues have been known to just repeat something three times straight away to get it over with and be able to get on! I know it’s silly. I know once or twice probably should be enough but it isn’t. And sometimes it’s worth just working with it rather than trying to fight it.
Others:
Think now about someone you work with. How many times do they need to see/hear/read something to relax and know all’s well? Do you make sure they get that? What impact might it have if your strategy needs less than theirs? What if you were to find out how many times it has to happen for them and then spend the week making sure they get what they need?
What about sales? What if I was your prospect and you only gave two lots of ‘proof’ of value? Maybe this could be why that sale you thought was in the bag didn’t complete. Sometimes I’ve asked a client or customer the question, ‘How many times …’, just so we both know what we’re working with.
* For my dog it’s definitely twice.
So, what about you? How often do you need to experience something to assume it’s true, or of value, or trustworthy?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you had some experiences of using it or it being used on you?
I think I need more than 3 “proofs”. I find it very interesting about a prospect. It’s something I could bring into conversation and use for reference later. It’s something I would do instinctively with a prospect, give examples of proof. But maybe some people do not need as much as I would give, and maybe I sound like I’m convincing myself?