Say you’re at the mall and it goes up in flames. There’s a wall of smoke; you can’t see sh*t. But you hear two voices.
The first nervously says, “I think there’s an exit this way. Wait. No, never mind, maybe it’s this way. Yeah, it’s this way. I’m pretty sure.”
While the second, thunderous voice, commands, “Give me your hand. I’ll get you out of here.”
Which one do you walk towards? Who would you bet your life on? Easy answer: the second dude, who seemed so sure of himself, right?
You know where I’m going with this. And no, business is not life or death. But you get the point: millionaires market like they have a pair. They don’t water-down their authority by saying things like:
- In my opinion…
- Well, if you ask me…
- I think…
- Not to offend anyone, but…
- Don’t quote me on that.
Which is the equivalent of neutering your brand. And I see why people do it. Political correctness and all. I mean, God forbid you accidentally insult someone, or Billy Bob, who hates his life, disagrees with you.
Such a thing might be uncomfortable.
And I know it’s scary to stick your neck out there and say what you really mean.
But if you expect prospects to choose you, and ignore all the other voices you’re up against? Then sounding like a hesitant, anxious asshole is not the way. Being a calm, assertive leader is. ‘Memba that.
