No, this isn’t about relationships. It’s about how to better communicate with my clients. I have 3 weeks with my clients to prepare them to effectively job search. Not much time. I find myself trying to pack their brains with everything I think they need to know. Many times, as I’m facilitating the workshop or lab, I look into their faces and get a blank “not getting this” look back and I wonder why. I’m dumping amazing information on the table for them! It makes sense to me and has worked for many in the past!

What I fail to do is ask them what they need to know or do in that moment that would make them feel like they can conduct a successful job search. I’m too busy telling them what I think they should know or do. No wonder I get a blank stare! I’m living in “Becky world” and not in theirs!

So what does KISS stand for?
Keeping
It
Straight &
Simple!

So I’ve been first asking them to tell me what they need. Then I speak straight forward and as simply as I can so that they can see a path for themselves of what needs to happen next. Some may want the details of how, what, when, where and why. Others just want the what part. When they’re ready for more, they know who may have the answers.

Isn’t that what the business of helping people with barriers find employment is all about anyway? Giving them what they need and find helpful when they’re ready! Not when we think they need to know it!

We build relationships first! A by-product of our relationship is that they will discover they have amazing gifts and abilities and there is an employer that will cherish them!

Wrong again…this post IS about relationships!

Photo by Wonderlane

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