THE BIG PICTURE

As a leader you’ve got the big picture, you see it, you believe it and you act on it daily….. but you’re frustrated because the part timers, folks still working a job just don’t have the same vision and consequently are not taking action.

The big mistake most people make is to hammer the big picture at these folks, forgetting they’re volunteers and without realizing it we start to sound exactly like their boss.  As your frustration grows you try to reason with facts about the size of the market, a chance to capture income in that market….  yadda yadda yadda.

It’s not that long before they disappear, more new folks enroll, and the cycle starts all over again. 🙁

WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING?

They have heard “big picture” stuff their whole life and they have some challenges, just like everybody does when they first get started.  What’s really happening is you’re trying to paint a multi million dollar picture for them while they are trying how to figure out HOW they can make phone calls, pay attention to their family and walk the dog.

It’s an impasse if you stay on the big picture and they dig their heels in and stay on the HOW.  What great leaders do is realize they need to shift off the big picture and get these newer talented reps off the HOW and onto the WHY.

What does getting off the HOW and to the WHY mean?

PRIORITIES

To the rep you’re trying to help, nudge or coax ……the big picture and the HOW seem like opposites.  If you’ll run them through this very short exercise you’ll be stunned at the results and how easy it is to make this simple yet impactful shift.

It usually goes something like this:

“John I know you got into this business so you could put your kids through school debt free.  Working this business into an already full life is challenging and it probably seems like what you need to do here, invest some time consistently,  is just the opposite of what you are able to do.  Does that make sense?”

Everybody always says “yes.”  Everybody.

“John let me give you a couple of opposites, at least what appear to be opposites and let’s figure out how they are the same.”

Earth…….Sky

Listen……..Speak

Usually I have to help John with the first one, pointing out earth and sky are part of the landscape.  On the second one the rep will generally say something like communicate or conversation.

I’ll say “that’a right they seem like opposites in the bigger picture they are the same.  Then I’ll throw two more at him.

Open……..Closed……

door or heart are the two most common responses.  Again point out to your rep that these are opposites but at the same time they are unified.

Water…….Stone…… river.

Now the rep has the idea and is looking for ways the opposites are part of the whole.  Very cool.

Here’s the one simple question that will get the rep to take action.

OK to do one more John?

yes………no?

Your rep will think for a few minutes or seconds and they may or may not get it but that’s OK because you’re not beating them up about the big picture anymore and they are not defending their life.  If you want to say yes to losing weight you have to say no to ice cream.  The answer of course to the yes/no is priorities.  That is we have to say no to one thing so that we can say yes to something else.  The critical dynamic is that through this short 20 second exercise John has begun to think.

So John if we want to say “yes” to putting your kids through school we’ve got to say “no” to a few things during the course of each week.  Let’s figure out what we can say “no” to this coming week so you can say “yes” to your kids education.

believe

mark januszewski

The World’s Laziest Networker

About the Author

  • Are you sure you’re not a mind reader Mark? We’re having this exact problem with a couple on our team…they’re so far in debt and have gone back to the JOB scenario, but were focused without much success on Network marketing over the past few months. This seems to be when people quit….we love this couple and have become friends…..your suggestion is a wonderful alternative to try without making them feeling like they’re being beaten up by us. Thank you!

  • Mark,

    Terrific post. Lisa and I were talking about this subject just yesterday…so your timing is perfect.

    Best wishes,

    Chuck Anderson

  • A big thanks, I have came across this many times, my whole business. I will be using this from now on. Thanks
    Wanda

  • Mark, you always have such great suggestions and insights. I know that is why I trust you so much with MKMMA. This is one journey I am truly excited and pumped about.

  • Mark, Excellent exercise!I It makes it easy to switch from how to why and from frustration to possabilities. All things are possible. Your exercises are like diamonds and your are helping me build my diamond mine. Anyway that’s how I see your work. Thanks for all you and Davene do!

  • How about
    Them—ME
    When–NOW

    The statement you said about acting like a boss is so true. Your trainings have taught me to treat people with more respect and understanding. We get into network marketing because we have a dream. The MKA allows us to connect with positive minded people and teaches us (if I am on track) that success comes from within and how we treat human kind. It has nothing to do with talent, or connections, or luck. What we put out into the world does come back to us. So, going to sit down and write down what I CAN DO after 10 hours of working so I CAN HAVE what I’ve dreamt of for so long… FREEDOM…..

  • […] The One Question That Turns Dormant Reps into Dynamos (via World's Laziest Networker Blog) Posted on October 1, 2010 by billw36mk Just found this page. Great info. Looking forward to more video’s. Sure helpful. Thanks. Bill W. THE BIG PICTURE As a leader you've got the big picture, you see it, you believe it and you act on it daily….. but you're frustrated because the part timers, folks still working a job just don't have the same vision and consequently are not taking action. The big mistake most people make is to hammer the big picture at these folks, forgetting they're volunteers and without realizing it we start to sound exactly like their boss.  As your frustrat … Read More […]

  • There you go… slow down enough to show them you care… to lead new business partners to shift from HOW focused; will ease them into Priorities which create action and builds their business.

  • All of the comments are very inspiring and dignified they have helped me through a very trying time in my life and I appreciate it very much. It is such a pleasure to work with like minded people knowing that we will all succeed in this course and in our businesses. Thank you again
    Mark and Davene for your leadership.

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