Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t dress up very often. You’ll probably see me in a black t-shirt and jeans, maybe a hoodie. As I was scrolling through Instagram recently, I came across an ad for some sharp-looking hoodies. Being the “fashionista” that I am, I bought a couple from this company to expand my wardrobe. I even bought one for my son.
When I opened the package, I realized that one of the hoodies was damaged. I get it; mistakes happen. I reached out to the company and told them I needed a replacement. I waited and waited, finally getting an automated text from the company. The text was basically an option for me to leave a review. I replied and mentioned my unanswered replacement request. And then . . . crickets.
Face Your Work and Dig in
This experience reminded me of one of the guiding principles that we live by at Business Marketing Engine:
#9: Excellent and Timely Delivery
“We believe in doing what we say. We face our work head-on and dig in. We carefully consider our commitments and client expectations before we set deadlines. We use the BME TPI method to ensure that we provide the highest level of service and excellence”.
This company could have easily fixed my issue by replacing my damaged hoodie. I would have left them a positive review and probably ordered from them again. However, their lack of customer service made me never want to order from them again.
Mistakes Happen
I get it. We all make mistakes in our personal and professional lives. Being an entrepreneur for over 20 years, I know all about making mistakes. I’ve dropped the ball with clients and not supported my team members. Sometimes I get busy and fail to post content when I should.
The important thing is that I learn something from each mistake and use it to become a better leader. We can either face our work, whether it’s good or bad, and keep building relationships with clients and colleagues. Or, we can ignore the hard stuff. We can run away from our problems and lose potential success.
As a business owner, ignoring problems just is not an option. I’ve had lots of challenging projects over the years. Sometimes it’s not fun when you’re in the moment. Things get delayed, clients needs change . . .
However, delivering excellent work is always worth it. No matter how challenging it may be. Not only will clients have more respect for you, but your relationships will be stronger. I’ve learned this lesson over the years. I’m so lucky to have had many inspiring leaders in my life to instill that in me. My grandfather was the best example.
My grandfather ran a contracting company. He always faced each problem head-on and put the customer first. This strategy allowed him to build a community of clients who always trusted him to get the job done right. Now managed by my brothers, his company continues to provide excellent service to its customers because of his hard work.
Do the Hard Things
No one wants to do the hard things. But, I challenge you to face those challenges head-on. Dive into that problem that scares you. Own up to your mistakes. Admit your weaknesses and play into your strengths.
When we face our work, we take responsibility, which takes courage. While it may not seem like it when you’re in the moment, owning up to your mistakes will often strengthen your relationships with others — whether it’s with a client, family member, or friend.
Do the hard things. You’ll become a better leader in the end.
I hope this story can help inspire you to face your work and dive into your challenges head-on. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and contact me with any questions about entrepreneurship. Here’s to your success!