Through our #SpeakUp series we run from our Q4intelligence company page on LinkedIn, we recently asked the industry to share the best advice they have ever received. Someone paid it forward to them, and now they're paying it forward to you.

The best advice should be shared

Tom DiLiegro | Benefit Advisors of Charleston

It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid, than open it and remove all doubt.

Lindsay Clarke Youngwerth | The Shandro Group

Some of the best advice I have received in my life is to remain curious. Curiosity opens a lot of opportunities. It also forces us to shift our ideas.

The other most powerful piece of advice is grounding your assertions. Are you sure that what you are saying is accurate? Can people trust that the help you are providing won't ultimately hurt them? Even if you think you know something, verify that knowledge and produce the resource for it. Speaking in generalities and "almost" can be off-putting.

Taylor Lindsey | Employee Benefit Consultants

Here are a few valuable pieces of advice I've received.

  1. Find a coach or mentor that will challenge you.
  2. There is a solution to every problem. Collaborate and find the solution!
  3. You are your biggest obstacle, but you are also your greatest strength!

Wendy Keneipp | Q4intelligence

After enough discovery with a client, don't just make nice-to-have suggestions, offer specific advice. If clients are hiring you to be an advisor, they *want* you to tell them / make recommendations on what to do and not leave it up to them to figure it out. Be bold and take a stand. Own it.

Tom Avery | Signal Sync

Take a breath and ask yourself if your reaction is emotionally driven or factually driven.

Craig Gussin | Retire With Renewals

Never accept no as an answer, ask again in a different way.

Eugene Starks | Acuity Group

On owning your own business: You'll love it! When things get tough, you'll be the last one to be let go. But you'll also be the last one to get paid! Translated, "Leaders Eat Last."

Jessica Waltman | MZQ Consulting

  1. It's the little things that you do every day "that add up and matter.
  2. When working at home, get dressed every day, including shoes, don't ever turn on the television, stay out of the kitchen, and give yourself a start and end time.
  3. Not everything is your circus/your monkeys, and you can't rationalize crazy, so don't try. Move on.
  4. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
  5. Always be grateful and know that it will all be okay in the end. If it is not okay, it is not the end.

The thing I tell people most is to always be learning and growing. Do as best as you can and, when you learn more, don't be afraid to change your approach and your views to do better/be better. (Rough paraphrase from Maya Angelou!)

Klaus Knuth | Keystone Insurance & Benefits Group

Be the calmest person in a room on fire.

Brannon Brooke | Alliant Insurance Services

I am glad to have competition in the world; it keeps me motivated to continue to improve. Don't disparage the competition; they make you better!

Jill Pedersen | Columbia Benefit Solutions

Your success in life is created one habit at a time - how you spend your time will ultimately determine what you become.

Kevin Curran | EBSME

Sales numbers don't lie. Instead of working to validate them, learn to analyze them. They will tell you where to place your efforts, how/where to spend your time, and what activities/people/prospects to avoid. With great effort and care applied over time, your sales numbers will be a celebration of your hard work and ingenuity.

Kevin Trokey | Q4intelligence

As you are about to hire a new employee, be sure to emphasize the challenges of the position (especially for sales positions). In other words, try to talk them out of accepting the position. If they aren’t deterred and remain confident in their ability to overcome the challenges, you likely have a great fit on your hands.

Nancy Giacolone | Olympic Crest Insurance

Be the way you want the other person to be.....without expectation of return.

Conner Gunn | Gallagher

1. Actions reveal options analysis will never find. 2. Always have a mentor and always be mentoring someone else.

David Rocchio | The Rocchio Agency

People know what they have to do to get what they want. They just won't do it. There is a price for everything of significance in life. In order to achieve it, you must be willing to pay the price.

- John Wooden

Erica Hain | Geisinger Health Plan

Never be the story! And always answer the bell!!

Dana Grimm | The Daniel & Henry Company

Learn to truly listen! This isn't the easiest thing to do especially in a sales role but it will be the most important thing to learn for your business and your personal life.

Pete Shemetulskis | Sonus Benefits

Be yourself. Find people that YOU want to work with. Makes having difficult conversations not as difficult. We all make mistakes and being able to "Get Naked" (Patrick Lencioni) allows the relationship to continue even through the tough times. And if you aren't being you it will show and those conversations won't happen.

Kathy Gadinas | Columbia Benefit Solutions

Over the years I’ve learned and experienced that “Actions speak louder than words.”

Thank you!

A big thank you to those who shared their advice! To return the favor, if you're reading this on social media, please share your best advice in the comment section.

 

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