Do you lack confidence as a home care owner?
Do you feel awkward in situations where you are introducing yourself or your services to someone?
Where does that come from? And, more importantly, how do you get rid of it?
First, I want to assure you that it’s not as complicated as we make it in our minds.
Ego tells us that we are unique and the reasons we feel this way are specific to us and our situation.
But, as a coach that has helped hundreds (maybe thousands?) of home care owners with this particular challenge I want to assure you that the reasons behind this are never as unique or individual as we feel.
(And that’s not minimizing, that should be encouraging!)
Do you lack confidence as a home care owner?
Do you feel awkward in in situations wher you are introducing yourself or your services to someone?
Where does that come from? And, more importantly, how do you get rid of it?
First, I want to assure you that it’s not as complicated as we make it in our minds.
Ego tells us that we are unique and the reasons we feel this way are specific to us and our situation.
But, as a coach that has helped hundreds (maybe thousands?) of home care owners with this particular challenge I want to assure you that the reasons behind this are never as unique or individual we feel.
(And that’s not minimizing, that should be encouraging!)
Causes of Lack of Confidence
In this article, I’m going to list two of the most common reasons, signs, and symptoms that may be the issue you are dealing with – and I’ll highlight the fix.
1. Lack of Full Knowledge of the Subject
There is an expectation that you should be the ‘expert’ if you are the one offering the service, so coming into a situation where you are afraid they are going to ask you questions you may not know the answers to might make you reluctant to fully engage and become a bit skittish to ‘hear them out’.
Signs and Symptoms:
You attempt to control the flow of the conversation and edge around certain topics. You may tend to ‘overtalk’ them or try to cut in when you feel the conversation is headed toward an area you are not as familiar with.
The Fix:
Know your stuff! Knowledge really is power and, when you discover a ‘weak’ area or a gap, work to fill the knowledge void. For example: The reason medical doctors appear so confident when you have an appointment is due to the extensive medical training they’ve received. With this background, coupled with continued learning within their specialty, they are confident they are the most knowledgeable people in the room and won’t be as likely to be questioned. Even though we’re all aware they do not always have the answers (and no one blames them for that!), they can still appear confident and calm because they have a built-in knowledge base for the topic under discussion.
2. Lacking Clear and Distinct Boundaries for What you Will and Won't Do
Providing professional solutions does not have to be a constant negotiation! In fact, the more you limit your tendency to ‘negotiate’, the more confident you can be in these conversations. Standardized pay rates, consistent client billing rates, even structured scheduling take those variables out of the picture. This allows you to work within parameters you’ve set independently from the conversation you are now having. Thus, removing any sense of feeling as though a ‘decision’ is being made; rather you are relating accepted facts.
Signs and Symptoms:
You tend to have myriad ‘exceptions’ in both your client and staff rosters. If you normally charge $X amount, but negotiate discounts for ‘special’ cases… or you normally have your employees follow certain guidelines (i.e. work one weekend per month), but make exceptions for one or more caregivers because __________… This indicates an unhealthy level of flexibility within your business model. Uncertainty in processes fuels uncertainty (lacking confidence) from you and throughout your agency.
The Fix:
Set realistic, well thought-out parameters and stick to them! Don’t make up rules and guidelines on the fly. Instead, take some time to establish well thought-out boundaries you can live with. Know this: If you are routinely breaking your own boundaries, you shouldn’t be surprised when others choose not to respect them either. This is a key way we often undermine our own confidence going into a business situation.
Key Takeaway:
Ultimately, walking into a conversation is both a learned skill and an earned ability. Understanding where your areas for growth lie - and acting on them - can truly bridge the gap between where you are now and making you the most confident person in the room.
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