Are You Sponsoring with Validation?

 

As I was replying to a potential team partner’s email yesterday, my son jumped onto my lap with his big black “Oliver’s Art” notebook.   He had just added a new masterpiece to the three ring binder that holds his collection.   Without hesitation, he opened the book to reveal his work of art.   Pride, and expectation of my comments, were evident in his words and smile as he described his coloring strategy and design.

At that moment, nothing else in the world existed for my son.   He was on my lap excited to be seen, to be heard and to be acknowledged.   In other words, he was excited to be validated.

That little exchange with my son reminded me of Oprah Winfrey’s farewell show a few weeks ago.   Though I admire Oprah tremendously, I admit, I never watched one episode of her show, “Oprah”, until that final airing.  I’m so glad I didn’t miss.  Oprah spoke so eloquently about the need and power of validating another human being.

In case you missed it, here is an excerpt from her farewell address:

“I’ve talked to nearly 30,000 people on this show, and all 30,000 had one thing in common: They all wanted validation.

If I could reach through this television and sit on your sofa or sit on a stool in your kitchen right now, I would tell you that every single person you will ever meet shares that common desire. They want to know: ‘Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say mean anything to you?”

“Understanding that one principle has allowed me to hold the microphone for you all these years with the least amount of judgment.  Now I can’t say I wasn’t judging some days.  Some days, I had to judge just a little bit.  But it’s helped me to stand and to try to do that with an open mind and to do it with an open heart.  It has worked for this platform, and I guarantee you it will work for yours.

Try it with your children, your husband, your wife, your boss, and your friends. Validate them. ‘I see you. I hear you. And what you say matters to me.”

Are you sponsoring with validation?

All of us were born with the innate desire and need for validation.    As direct sales leaders, we are charged with the mission of validating the discontents, desires, and dreams of our potential business partners.  How else can we authentically guide them through the journey of understanding their “Why” and determining their direction?

Let’s follow Oprah’s advice.   When you’re in a conversation with a potential partner, let nothing else exist in the world except seeing, hearing, and acknowledging the essence of that person.  Embrace them in the power of validation.

♥  I see you:  Ask engaging questions to discover their why.

♥  I hear you:  Actively listen to their discontents, desires and dreams.

♥  What you say matters to me:  Acknowledge and reinforce that you understand.

If you have not had the life changing pleasure of watching Kurt Kuenne’s awarding winning best short film, “Validation”, drop everything for 16 minutes and be in the moment.

Your life will be uplifted, you will be empowered, and you will forever be changed in how you approach another human being.   Just click on the picture to view.

Go out, sponsor with validation, and change the world!

Debra