Can you get too comfortable with a client?
If you've ever been on a call with me, you know that I don't always look polished. I'm often post-gym, or post-shower, with wet hair, no makeup or a baseball hat. If I don't have a presentation or plans, this is my everyday look. And because most clients know this, I suppose a recent interaction shouldn't surprise me, but it did.
I was on a standing call I have every week with a client and my hair was wet and I was wearing a strapless dress.
A) because NYC is an inferno these days and B) because I had plans that night.
As I joined the call I explained that I'd gotten the call mixed up with the one following (same client but they lead that one) and thought I would be able to finish getting ready with my camera off. And my client said, "I love that you're in a towel." WHAT? LOL.
I laughed so hard and quickly let her know it was a dress not a towel. But this mistake was amazing because it goes to show how not an issue it was that I was potentially wearing a towel to a client call! I've worked with this client for 6+ years and quickly said "even I have boundaries!" As casual as I can often dress, I'd never wear a towel for a call. Ever!
I was simultaneously horrified that she could think that and also comforted that it didn't even matter. That's how good our relationship is. This was also followed by another client on the call who had her camera off because she had rollers in her hair for an event that night. Needless to say there was a lot of laughter around all of this!
Free to be you and me
I can promise you this, the levity and laughter certainly made the meeting fun and light. We got to banter for a few minutes before getting to our list of projects. I always say that if you can start a conversation around something other than work, everyone will be more relaxed. The work can wait a few minutes as you look around and see smiles on everyone's faces. Now, of course I don't advocate for any initial meeting when you don't look as polished as you'd like, but at the end of the day, when you have built up trust and cemented a solid working relationship, how you dress is less important than the work you deliver.
And all of this comes when you're able to be yourself. Authentic, real, honest. Life happens. And good clients and great employers know and expect this. The more you have a clear Personality Brand, the more likely you'll be to find people that appreciate you for you. That understand that polish is for shoes and silverware and that a little tarnish simply shows that something has been loved. We all have a little tarnish and a fair amount of scuffs and the more we can show them and stop trying to polish it away, the more we can truly be ourselves.
Ready to be a thought leader?
I often joke that I'll never offer 3 ways or 10 things or 5 anything in terms of advice or steps. But when Authority Magazine reached out about wanting tips on becoming a thought leader, I knew I'd have to put my number aversion aside and agree to be interviewed!
This article tells my own backstory (with some surprise nuggets) on how I became a thought leader, and of course is loaded with advice on how others can do the same — authentically!
Is your next role below?
I'm partnering with CollabWORK to bring you some of the hottest jobs around. If you or someone you know is looking, feel free to share this newsletter with them.
Account Supervisor/Account Director, Brands2Life, NYC (Hybrid): Working with senior leadership to support and grow this agency's IPO readiness offering for innovative B2B technology clients, from US market entry through IPO and beyond, requiring 4-8 years of relevant experience and strong media relationships. Full description and apply.
Channel Marketing Manager, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Ramsey, NJ (In-person): The Channel Marketing Manager at Konica Minolta is responsible for supporting and growing the Direct channel organization and programs, serving as a liaison between marketing and sales, launching new marketing programs, creating and supporting go-to-market plans, managing marketing activities within budget, monitoring channel performance, spreading awareness of solutions, leading communication between resources and agencies, and establishing reporting and key performance indicators, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in marketing and a degree in marketing or business required. Full description and apply.
Senior Copywriter, Tonic3, St. Louis, MO (Hybrid): Tonic3 is seeking a hybrid Senior Copywriter with over 5 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, to craft impactful client communications across multiple platforms, offering a salary range of $75,000 - $95,000 per year, with the role based in various US locations, and providing benefits such as insurance, 401(k), paid leave, equipment, and opportunities for professional development. Full description and apply.
Marketing Copywriter, Workling, Austin, TX (Fully remote): Workling is seeking a Marketing Copywriter to lead the creation of compelling marketing campaigns and user experiences, collaborate with teams to produce diverse marketing materials, and develop engaging copy for various mediums, requiring experience in digital marketing, B2B marketing, team management, and strong English proficiency, offering a fully remote, flexible work environment with competitive compensation and growth opportunities. Full description and apply.
Marketing Manager, Säzän Group Inc., Seattle, WA (Hybrid): Säzän Group, an MEP consulting engineering firm, seeks an experienced Marketing Manager with A/E/C industry background to lead marketing and business development activities, manage project pursuits, strategic planning, content development, and CRM system updates, requiring at least 7+ years of relevant experience, proficiency in MS Office and Adobe Creative Cloud, excellent communication skills, and offering a salary range of $90,000 - $130,000 with benefits. Full description and apply.
Comments