The 3 Silent Questions That Make or Break Your Business Success
Here's the thing, every potential client asks themselves three critical questions before doing business with you. They may never say them out loud, but trust me - these questions determine whether you win or lose the opportunity.
1 "Do I like you?"
It's fundamental human nature. People do business with people they like. Not just surface-level nice - but genuinely relatable. They're asking:
Are you authentic or putting on a show?
Do you genuinely understand their challenges?
Would they enjoy spending time working with you?
Do you share similar values and perspectives?
Think about your own buying decisions. How often do you choose to work with someone you don't like, even if they're competent?
2 "Are you good at what you do?"
Being likable isn't enough - you must prove your competence. Clients need evidence that their investment in you will pay off. They want to see:
A track record of success
Deep expertise in your field
Relevant experience with similar challenges
Clear, measurable results
Professional credibility
Remember the last time you needed a specialist? You probably checked reviews, asked for referrals, and looked for proof of expertise.
3 "Can I trust you?"
This is where most business relationships are won or lost. Trust is the foundation everything else builds upon. It combines your likability and competence with:
Consistent delivery on promises
Transparent communication
Putting client interests first
Taking ownership of mistakes
Standing behind your work
Long-term relationship focus
Think about your most loyal clients. They stay because you've earned their trust over time.
Here's the critical insight: You need all three. Missing any one destroys your chances of success:
Likable but incompetent? They'll enjoy chatting but never hire you.
Brilliant but unlikable? They'll admire your work from a distance.
Competent but untrustworthy? They'll use you once, then never again.
Want sustainable business growth? Start by honestly evaluating how you measure up against these three questions. Then focus on strengthening your weak spots.
