By Mike Myatt, Chief StrategyOfficer, N2growth
While candor is often trivialized or viewed as less than tasteful,it nonetheless rates very highly in my book. I want people to knowwhere I stand, and vice-versa. I'm not suggesting that we don't usetact in our communications, but people have become far toosensitive for my tastes. So my question is this: Have you been toldthat you have a bit of an edge? If so, you have likely found thatit serves you very well. Let me be clear that when I refer toan edge I'm not talking about rough edges, or confusing an edgypresence with rude or arrogant behavior. What I am refering tois having a direct, no B.S. approach that allows you to get rightto the heart of an issue in the shortest time-framepossible. On several occasions I've received that "I can'tbelieve you just said that" look from clients. In fact, oneinteraction in particular does a good job of conveyingthe value of having an edge...I had a client look directly atme and say: "If I spoke to my clients like that they would fire meright on the spot...How do you get away with that?" My questionback to him was: "Why don't you fire me?" His response: "becauseyou tell me what I need to hear as opposed to what you think I wantto hear, and I value that." My reply: "That's how I get away withit." Most people value candor, and if they don't, I've found thatthey tend to live in an ego-centric, altered state of denialthat will result in many unnecessary hardships. I coined thefollowing phrase to address these delusional types: "Those whoseek shelter in the wisdom of sound counsel must also be willing totake refuge there...Those unwilling to do the latter, really don'tvalue the former." I've never been accused of beingpolitically correct, or a shrinking violet. In fact, my edge is alarge part of my competitive value proposition. I don't sugar coat,gloss-over, or spin...rather I tell you what you need to hear,which is always the truth, regardless of whether or not it is easyto swallow. My clients tell me that having someone to hold themaccountable, challenge their business logic, force them out ofcomfort zones, and tell them the truth is a rarity in themarketplace (remember that scarcity = value). As a validationfor what I've communicated above, among the most commonrequests received by coaching referral services areinquiries looking for "strong" coaches. The simple truth ofthe matter is that I've rarely encountered a successfulprofessional advisor, entrepreneur, executive, or any leader forthat matter who doesn't have a bit of an edge. Here's anotherquestion: How sharp is your edge? We've all come across thosepeople in our lives who don't just possess an edge, but they havetaken their edge to a completely different level having honed it toa razor's edge...These people not only possess the qualitiesespoused above, but they have also learned howto appropriately leverage their edge by using it for theright purpose at the right time. Whether they use their edgeas a subtle carving tool used for shaping and refining, asurgical blade used to implement change, as a lightningrod for shock-and-awe purposes, or a defensive instrument ofprotection, they know when to use it, and when to keep it incheck. So, I ask again...Do you have and edge, and if so, howsharp is your edge?