Putting clients first for me just means being there when they need you.
We have standard operating terms and we have contracts and terms of service.
But if a customer approaches me and says, “Mike, I’ve got a problem with insurance” or “I’m really feeling overwhelmed with this new hire”…
If it’s outside the scope of what we offer, I will do everything I can to sit down and have a conversation with them.
There’s a balance of course.
I find that about 5% of people will try to abuse that and take advantage of it.
But if you’ve got blocks in place that can prevent that from happening, delving deep into the problems that people really have, is an extremely powerful leadership tool.
You don’t have to bring solutions or try to fix things.
Just listen.
Be there when people need you and treat them like human beings.
That’s how I put my clients first.