Curiosity is Key in Client Relationship Building

I had a friend a long time ago who worked at a youth hostel in the Peak District of the UK.

To me this seemed like one of the most interesting jobs you could have as a twenty-something - a chance to meet new people from all over the UK, and the world, virtually each night.

To hear stories of their travels and the places they hailed from.

But my friend didn't engage with the hostel's guests and was taken aback when I expressed how interesting this job must be.

Because he wasn't curious.

He didn't really care about the people he was serving.

Which make it rather difficult to build any kind of relationship, even the kind that is enjoyed for the very brief period of a hostel stay.

But relationships between you and your clients are essential for most everyone in business. Because we all would rather purchase from someone we know, especially when the stakes (or the price!) are high.

So, what do you do to connect with others? Whether they're potential clients or others?

How do you build the foundations of those relationships that will be the foundation of your business's success?

I always want to understand what makes people tick and am genuinely curious about people. When meeting someone new my unconscious priority is to learn about something that matters to them as a shortcut to understanding them. After I find points of commonality first!