Have you noticed how little kids have no reservations about being naked? They don’t think twice about stripping down to nothing and running around like free spirits…even if there are people around.
This is because they’ve yet to experience some of the raw feelings that many of us adults are hit with all too often – fear, embarrassment, vulnerability, inferiority, self-consciousness, etc. Little kids don’t have to worry about people judging them or feeling awkward when they’re exposed so openly. Baring it all is comfortable to them. But for many of us, there’s a huge sense of discomfort attached to being naked.
What if I told you embracing nakedness is one of the wisest decisions you could make in your life – particularly your professional life? Would you think I’m nutso? Maybe, but let me explain…
I’ve been referring to being naked in the physical sense, but let’s think about it now from a business perspective and why getting naked is a conduit to success. I just finished reading the book “Getting Naked” by Patrick Lencioni. It’s a business fable (which is a nice change up from other business books I’ve read because it tells a story) about shedding the three fears that sabotage client loyalty. If you work in any type of service industry where you manage clients (such as my field, public relations), this book will really hit home.
“Getting Naked” tells the story of a management consultant who is put in charge of merging two firms that are on opposite ends of the client service spectrum. One operates with a more casual approach to consulting that centers on transparency, honesty and providing value. The other focuses on being the best, preparedness and reputation (the consultant’s firm).
In the process of the merger, the consultant is forced to spend four months at the other firm where he learns the ins and outs of the team’s approach to client service and how they are so successful with such a non-traditional model. In the process, he gets some major gut checks of reality and learns tough life lessons that help him realize why his team must learn to be “naked” consultants.
I don’t want to give too much away because I promise “Getting Naked” is a must-read if you’re in the service industry, but the three fears the author says most sabotage client loyalty are:
1. Fear of losing the business – Ways to shed this fear include aiming to consult versus sell (I’m all for this approach!) and telling the kind truth.
2. Fear of being embarrassed – Ways to shed this fear include asking dumb questions and celebrating mistakes.
3. Fear of feeling inferior – Ways to shed this fear include making everything about the client and honoring the client’s work.
Even with the little bit I’ve told you about the book, I hope you have a sense of why getting naked is an important concept in business, as well as on a grander scheme.
The last paragraph before the acknowledgments is powerful and is one of my favorite parts of the book. It basically says that getting naked has its benefits beyond the client service world. When we showcase openness and vulnerability to the people we encounter in life, we build stronger relationships with those people. And in turn, we inspire them to introduce that same vulnerability into their lives…and to become better people thanks to it.
I’m feeling more comfortable about getting naked now. I’m sure you will be too once you read the book.
If you’ve read “Getting Naked”, let me know your thoughts in the comments. And feel free to share any other thoughts on being open and vulnerable and what that means as humans and professionals.
Special thanks to Tom Nixon for encouraging the Identity PR team to read this book to clearly understand why we approach client service the way we do at my agency.