I have a real weak spot. You see, I am an expert in helping coaches to build a business by invitation and referral only –but my weak spot, for years, has been in asking for referrals.
I coach people powerfully. And I serve them to the best of my ability. But I rarely ask them if there’s someone they know who would benefit from my coaching.
I was recently running a Hot Seat coaching session for the members of 4PC. It’s called Hot Seat coaching because –when the attention of the room is on you – your seat gets very hot!!
I’d coached everyone in the group, when someone said, “Well, what about you, Rich? What would make your next year amazing?”
Damn it. They just put me on the hot seat!
And I confessed…
I really wanted to fill the few remaining spots in 4PC with a handful of extraordinary people.
The members of 4PC have high level coaching skills and they challenged me until I broke out in a sweat! How many people? Describe them. What would be even more amazing than that?
It was really, really hard to ask for what I wanted.
But they didn’t let me off the hook.
It was really, really tough to believe that it was ok to ask for what I wanted.
But they pushed harder!
OK. Ok. I said. Here’s what I want. I want each of you to introduce me to a high level leader:
- Who secretly feels like an imposter…
- Who has everything they’ve ever wanted but secretly feels empty on the inside…
- Who is tired of being the most interesting person in the room…
Every single hand in the room went up.
I was astonished.
I asked for what I want.
And my community wanted to help.
I had tears in my eyes.
And you know what? The referrals they made have brought the most amazing people into my community since then. I am so proud.
So. Don’t be me!
Ask your clients to help. Tell them you build your business by invitation and referral. Tell them that you only ask for referrals from people you trust. Tell them that you trust them. And then ask them if they know someone like them…
Love. Rich