Show Your Soul

Courtesy of www.tribe2studios.com

When was the last time someone suggested you show your soul in business? Your passion, maybe. Your heart, perhaps. But your soul? Not so much.

Let’s use this working definition: “the animating principle; the essential element or part of something”. How much soul are you showing?

Marc, a lawyer, is a patent expert—which, let’s face it—is one of the drier areas of the law. But you wouldn’t know it upon meeting him. He has a joyful, boisterous spirit—whether he’s discussing the merits of smoked fish or the finer points of patent law. Clients like him, remember him AND hire him.

And there’s Kathy. A career consulting maven, she deals with what strikes fear in the hearts of most: big bodacious change. Her unique combination of joie de vivre, empathy and tell-it-like-it-is directness gives clients immediate insight into how she works. And it gets her hired.

Or let’s take another Mark—this one a compensation consultant. Designing compensation plans can be a minefield of conflict, controversy and employee communication challenges. Not for the faint of heart. He has a quick wit and humor that are part of his “animating principle”. Clients are drawn to him.

So, why not show some soul? The result might just surprise you.