Expertise isn’t your true superpower

I used to worry a lot about my experience and expertise (or lack of it). I thought I needed to have a certain prestigious education and felt that what I offered wouldn’t be valuable until I worked with a lot of really big clients clients who got massive results.

Angela, a Bootcamp alumni, went into a brand strategy project without a “Pro” title in her pocket. Instead, she went in with one superpower: listening.

Here’s what she shared in our community:

Just got out of a first check-in and wanted to share! I’m partnering with a local design firm for this job, they brought me in just for brand strategy. I had the first check in and the client said he felt, “RELIEVED that nothing felt manufactured, it sounds like us.” In this particular roadmap, we included Core Values, and he was giddy, smiling so big and said he was again, relieved that he and his wife (owners) already embodied the core values and he was so so happy that he didn’t have to “learn to be a certain way and then teach that to employees.” 😱

Before they started working with me, they worked with a Marketing Pro to define a mission statement. The document that person gave them had 2 pages. Page 1 was filled with 50 most popular brands and their mission statements. The second page took those SAME mission statements from the popular brands and modified them so it would fit their business. 🤭

Never underestimate the relief we can provide clients with just (JUST) listening. Not guessing, not suggesting, not assuming. Listening.

I hope Angela’s experience gives you the courage to come in empty of assumptions and instead, trust in your curiosity.

Cheers!

Melinda

Want to join our community? Apply for the Brand Strategy Bootcamp here.


Want to get posts like this one sent straight to your inbox?

Sign up so you don’t miss any!


 
 

About the author:

Melinda Livsey is a brand strategist, online educator and co-host on the Futur. Find her hanging out on Instagram and say hello!