Building a Trusted Partnership – A Consultative Flow

My approach to engaging with potential clients is inspired by the idea of structured steps, but it is entirely guided by listening, building trust, and being responsive to their needs and timeline. It’s about creating a valuable partnership based on Respect and Safety, leading to earned Trust. This flow incorporates multiple points to check in with the client, ensure we’re proceeding at their pace, and importantly, pay attention to their unspoken communication.

Pre-Engagement: Understanding Their World (Beyond the Interview)

• Goal: Prepare yourself to be Responsive by having context. Demonstrate Respect by valuing their time.
• Activity: Research their company, industry, recent news, and the specific context of their inquiry or the referral.
• “This is Me” Connection: Foundational to being a Responsive Magnet.

Step 1: Establishing Connection & Setting the Stage (Initial Moments)

• Goal: Create initial Respect and Safety. Start building the connection authentically. Begin observing their natural state.
• Activity: Begin with a warm greeting and a genuine, low-pressure opening (as per your Introduction script). Frame the conversation around understanding their situation.
  • Allow them to state their background and objectives.
  • Briefly state your background. Observe their initial demeanor, posture, and eye contact.
• Time: Your introduction. 1-2 minutes.
• “This is Me” Connection: Leans on natural ability. Opening demonstrates Waiting to Respond and creates Safety. Starts the process of listening on multiple levels.

Step 2: Checking for Mutual Interest & Proposing a Dedicated Exploration (Initial Pulse Check & Offer)

• Goal: Get a low-pressure signal (a direct “response”) that the client is open to exploring potential solutions/partnership at this time. Maintain Safety and Respect. Leverage Intuition and their reaction to your check-in question.
• Activity: After initial connection, insert a simple, conditional question to gauge openness. Pay close attention to their non-verbal reaction as you ask this and as they respond.
• Time: Very short transition (1-2 minutes).
• Content – Phrases to Use: (See previous guide for Step 2 phrases, ensuring your tone is genuinely open and non-pressuring).
• “This is Me” Connection: Direct application of Waiting to Respond. Your Intuition (Sacral Authority) will integrate their verbal and non-verbal response to give you a sense of “uh-huh” or “un-un” for proposing the next step. Prioritizes Safety and Respect.

(If the client agrees to the follow-up call in Step 2, you would then proceed to schedule that call and start the next conversation at what is now Step 3.)

Step 3: Deep Listening & Understanding Needs (Fact Finding – On the Scheduled Follow-Up Call)

• Goal: Deeply understand their challenges, needs, and the context of their situation. Build Trust by asking insightful questions and actively listening. Build Credibility by grasping their issues. Continuously interpret their non-verbal cues as they describe their situation.
• Activity: Because the client agreed to this call, you have permission to dive deep. Ask open-ended questions. Observe their body language, eye contact, and tone as they speak about their problems and desired outcomes. Are they leaning in? Seeming stressed? Excited? Are their words matching their posture?
• Time: Longest phase, could be 10-30+ minutes.
• “This is Me” Connection: Where your Responsive Magnet power and Intuition shine. Deep Listening absolutely includes interpreting non-verbals. This helps you find the most relevant practical solutions.

Step 4: Identifying Their Motivation & Confirming Potential Fit (Understanding the “Why” for Them)

• Goal: Understand why addressing this need is important to the client. Determine if their “Why” aligns with your ability to solve it. Reinforce Safety. Watch and listen for their emotional energy when they talk about the impact of the problem and the potential benefit of solving it.
• Activity: Explore the impact of their challenge not being solved and the desired outcomes. Listen for their internal “Reasons to act.” Observe their non-verbals particularly closely here. Do they show frustration when talking about the problem? Do they light up or lean in when talking about the solution? Check your Sacral Intuition – does helping with this specific Why feel like an “uh-huh,” confirmed by their genuine motivation signals?
• Time: 5-10 minutes.
• “This is Me” Connection: Crucial for honoring your Intuition (Sacral Authority). Interpreting their emotional/motivational cues is vital for aligning with the Responsive nature and identifying where you can provide Value/Transformation.

Step 5: Exploring Potential Solutions & Demonstrating Value (The Consultative “Demo”)

• Goal: Present how your expertise and potential solutions can practically address their specific situation and deliver Value/Transformation. Build Trust through competence. Watch their reactions as you present.
• Activity: Leverage your Practical Solutions and resume highlights. Explain how you can help, drawing parallels. Frame the value clearly. Observe their non-verbal responses as you describe potential solutions. Are they nodding? Leaning in? Or pulling back? Showing skepticism?
• Time: 10-20 minutes.
• “This is Me” Connection: Apply Efficiency. Observing reactions helps you tailor your message and know if your practical solution is resonating or needs adjustment, enhancing your Practical Solution Provider role.

Step 6: Listening for Readiness Signals (The Client’s “Response” to Move Forward)

• Goal: Identify if the client has built enough Trust and received sufficient value to consider a formal next step. Maintain Safety. This step is primarily about interpreting their non-verbal and verbal readiness signals.
• Activity: Pay close attention to the “Readiness Indicators.” Look for congruence between positive verbal cues and positive body language. Are they leaning in, maintaining strong eye contact, nodding, asking logistical questions? Or does their body language contradict their words? Use your Intuition (Sacral Authority) to sense if they are leaning forward based on all the signals.
• Time: Can happen at any point after Step 5.
• “This is Me” Connection: The crucial Responsive moment. Intuition is key, heavily fed by interpreting their signals.

Step 7: Guiding the Next Step & Formalizing Partnership (The Earned “Close”)

• Goal: If the client signals readiness (Step 6), clearly and respectfully outline the process. Facilitate their decision. Reach the Client pinnacle. Maintain awareness of their comfort level as you discuss next steps.
• Activity: Confirm interest based on signals. Inform Others clearly about the process. Make it easy for them to say “yes” if ready. Continue observing their non-verbals – are they comfortable with the proposed next steps? If they hesitate or signal “not now” (verbally or non-verbally), immediately revert to the “Navigating ‘No'” approach.
• Time: 5-10 minutes.
• “This is Me” Connection: Apply Efficiency once the response is received. Remain Responsive. Your Inform nature maintains Safety and Trust.

Navigating “No” or “Not Now”: Respecting Their Response

• Goal: Respect the client’s decision (“Navigating ‘No’ Guide”). Maintain Respect and Safety. Avoid your Not-Self Frustration. Pay attention to non-verbal “no” signals even if the words are softer.
• Activity: Acknowledge their decision (verbally and with your own open, respectful posture). If you seek clarity, observe if their body language remains open or closes off at that point. If you get clear verbal or non-verbal signals of “no” or “not now,” gracefully thank them. Process internally.
• “This is Me” Connection: Fully engages your Responsive nature by accepting their “no” as the valid response (including non-verbal). Honoring your Intuition prevents Frustration. Maintaining open posture helps preserve Respect and Safety.