Interested vs. Interesting

Enjoy learning about others

Understanding the difference and why it is relevant (dare I say paramount) to what we do needs to be at the core of your business. Easiest way to explain is a child is 'interested' in the world. This is exercised often in rapid fire questions to the adult nearest to them. What is that? How? Why? Then, somewhere in our teenage years most of us become very 'interesting'. Who am I? How do I look? What will I wear? Look what I can do? An entire world centered around our youthful and energetic teen years.  Don't feel too guilty. It's part of becoming self-aware.

Next phase is to mature and become 'interested' again in the world around us and understanding where our contributions will be. Unfortunately, some people grow up and forget that part. This is where understanding the difference between 'interesting' and 'interested' becomes relevant.

If we are to provide quality service to our clients we must be interested in who their are, what are their needs, wants, and ultimate goals. To do this we must appreciate the value of being present in every conversation, asking questions to ensure understanding, listening to responses. Make every conversation about them.

Occasionally, yes, we can talk about ourselves. After all, we are selling our service. Knowing when you have gone too far is key. What I mean by too far is, have you crossed the line from relating to the client to becoming more interesting than their needs. Good tests to qualify if the conversation is still about them:

What do you know about them? Not just standard criteria, rather what is important to them? Example, lighting, smells, neighborhood, lifestyle, guest space, preferred maintenance level, how long will they live there, financial goals, who is special in their lives, who is your client?

When speaking, who's life did you talk about today? Did you call them and tell them about your day, or ask about theirs first? Are you choosing meeting place based on their comforts or yours? Calling at a time convenient for them or for you and did you tell them why?

And the most obvious test....read your correspondence with them. In your emails, texts, any written correspondence, how many “I’s” & "ME's" do you see? Every time you send written correspondence, write it keeping in mind how it will be received. For example, does your text read: "I was wondering if you would like to meet me on Thursday at my favorite coffee house I think you will love where we can talk about what I can do for you." Perhaps reword your message to read: "There's a coffee house with your favorite latte's next to your office. Is Thursday at 9:00am good for you to meet and discuss your next steps?" In the second sentence, you made everything about them.

Interested versus Interesting is a simple way to make sure you are staying on the right side of every conversation. While it is just fine to talk about you, your services, stories which make you relatable, keeping this concept in mind tempers you to stay on the 'interested' side of the conversation. To truly provide excellent service your client needs to know you are there to serve them.